Have access already?

Get access to this chapter:

Or get access to the entire book:

10: Court Testimony: Preparation and Appearance

DOI:

10.1891/9780826198358.0010

Abstract

This chapter provides specific guidelines and examples of how to communicate effectively with attorneys, conduct interviews with parents and children, make recommendations for custody and visitation, write reports, and successfully testify in court. It helps one prepare for court testimony. Ask the attorney what questions might come from the opposing attorney so that one can be prepared to answer them. At the beginning of one’s testimony, one will be asked about their professional training, licensure, and experience as an evaluator. If one is known to the court, usually both attorneys will agree about his/her expertise and allow the court to consider his/her an expert. If one are not known to the court, be prepared to talk about the educational background, about how one obtained his/her training as an evaluator, and about how many cases one have completed as an evaluator.