Some reflections on the interface of law and psychiatry in child custody cases

Abstract

In the trial of child custody cases, psychiatric testimony has assumed a more important role. The author reviews some psychiatric studies dealing with the effect of custody disposition and then focuses on certain legal proceedings where psychiatric testimony has assumed a paramount role in disposition. The author concludes that unless members of the bar, bench and therapeutic community work more closely together, the “best interests” test will become a meaningless exercise.