Blog

Social Investigations and Custody Evaluations

Where Florida attorneys and their clients go for comprehensive and high quality social investigations and relocation evaluations!

Please contact us if you have questions about social investigations and custody evaluations, parenting plan evaluations, or relocation evaluations. Dr. D’Arienzo, a highly respected Forensic and Clinical Psychologist in Jacksonville, Florida, conducts these evaluations and will then will offer testimony regarding his forensic advisory report. In addition to conducting these evaluations, Dr. D’Arienzo also reviews social investigations and parenting plans evaluations conducted by other psychologists and evaluators to determine whether the content is reliable and valid, whether the standard of practice has been followed,  and whether the recommendations are supported.

 

Custody and Divorce Related Information:

How Do I Tell My Kids About Our Divorce?

What Does Custody Mean?

 

I have attached the statutory factors that are addressed during a social investigation or custody evaluation. Please see my Forensic Psychology Page for additional information regarding the various types of evaluations that are performed at D’Arienzo Psychological Group. Social Investigations or Custody Evaluations can typically be completed in two to six months depending on the complexity of the case. Please contact our office for additional information.

61.20 Social investigation and recommendations regarding a parenting plan

(3) For purposes of establishing or modifying parental responsibility and creating, developing, approving, or modifying a parenting plan, including a time-sharing schedule, which governs each parent’s relationship with his or her minor child and the relationship between each parent with regard to his or her minor child, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration. A determination of parental responsibility, a parenting plan, or a time-sharing schedule may not be modified without a showing of a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances and a determination that the modification is in the best interests of the child. Determination of the best interests of the child shall be made by evaluating all of the factors affecting the welfare and interests of the particular minor child and the circumstances of that family, including, but not limited to:

(a) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule, and to be reasonable when changes are required.
(b) The anticipated division of parental responsibilities after the litigation, including the extent to which parental responsibilities will be delegated to third parties.
(c) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent.
(d) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
(e) The geographic viability of the parenting plan, with special attention paid to the needs of school-age children and the amount of time to be spent traveling to effectuate the parenting plan. This factor does not create a presumption for or against relocation of either parent with a child.
(f) The moral fitness of the parents.
(g) The mental and physical health of the parents.
(h) The home, school, and community record of the child.
(i) The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference.
(j) The demonstrated knowledge, capacity, and disposition of each parent to be informed of the circumstances of the minor child, including, but not limited to, the child’s friends, teachers, medical care providers, daily activities, and favorite things.
(k) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to provide a consistent routine for the child, such as discipline, and daily schedules for homework, meals, and bedtime.
(l) The demonstrated capacity of each parent to communicate with and keep the other parent informed of issues and activities regarding the minor child, and the willingness of each parent to adopt a unified front on all major issues when dealing with the child.
(m) Evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, regardless of whether a prior or pending action relating to those issues has been brought. If the court accepts evidence of prior or pending actions regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, the court must specifically acknowledge in writing that such evidence was considered when evaluating the best interests of the child.
(n) Evidence that either parent has knowingly provided false information to the court regarding any prior or pending action regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect.
(o) The particular parenting tasks customarily performed by each parent and the division of parental responsibilities before the institution of litigation and during the pending litigation, including the extent to which parenting responsibilities were undertaken by third parties.
(p) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to participate and be involved in the child’s school and extracurricular activities.
(q) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to maintain an environment for the child which is free from substance abuse.
(r) The capacity and disposition of each parent to protect the child from the ongoing litigation as demonstrated by not discussing the litigation with the child, not sharing documents or electronic media related to the litigation with the child, and refraining from disparaging comments about the other parent to the child.
(s) The developmental stages and needs of the child and the demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to meet the child’s developmental needs.
(t) Any other factor that is relevant to the determination of a specific parenting plan, including the time-sharing schedule.

 

Blog

MMPI Testing is Important for All Armed Security Officers

In today’s world, security guards play a vital role in safeguarding people, properties, and organizations. While many states have specific requirements for physical fitness and background checks, psychological fitness and suitability often get overlooked. A comprehensive psychological evaluation, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), is essential to ensure that security personnel are mentally and emotionally equipped to handle their duties. Even in states where psychological testing isn’t mandatory, these evaluations should still be conducted. Here’s why every security guard, regardless of legal requirements, should undergo MMPI testing and other psychological assessments. Dr. Justin D’Arienzo is a national leader in armed security MMPI Testing and Psychological Evaluations and welcomes the opportunity to work with your organization. Note that these evaluations should be a two pronged approach assessing for both psychological fitness and psychological suitability. Evaluations can be tailored to your company’s specific needs. 

Learn More

Biden Anxiety and Dementia

Whether Republican or Democrat, President Joe Biden’s behavior on camera is concerning to most causing anxiety about whether he should either be the Democratic candidate or about who Former President, Donald Trump, will be running against in November 2024. It’s also concerning that Biden may have lost insight about his own abilities due to his cognitive decline. As a public service announcement, I have provided information below about dementia as well as the lack of insight into one’s own symptoms that often accompanies dementia and other cognitive disorders. Then, I discuss the difference between dementia and the normal aging process. 

Learn More

Psychological Traits for Armed Guards and Law Enforcement Officers

Key Psychological and Physical Traits Essential for Armed Guards and Law Enforcement Officers: For armed guards and law enforcement officers, certain psychological and physical traits are critical for ensuring effective performance and maintaining public safety. Proficiency in these traits is supported by recent studies in psychology and security, providing insights into the best practices for training and operation in these fields. Dr. D’Arienzo employs psychological testing such as the MMPI-3, California Psychological Inventory, and a Psychological Interview to assist agencies and companies in identifying psychologically fit and suitable armed and unarmed officers. Contact us today at 904-379-8094 or at [email protected]. Dr. D’Arienzo, a Navy Veteran, is licensed in Florida, New Mexico, and Texas has reciprocity in most states to provides these services. 

Learn More