Services
Child-Centered Solutions for Family Transitions and Legal Challenges
When families navigate complex challenges like divorce, custody disputes, or potential relocation, the child’s best interests must remain the central focus. To help families and courts navigate these difficult transitions, Dr. Lovinger provides specialized, child-centered solutions—including comprehensive custody and relocation evaluations, hands-on Parent Coordination, and expert testimony—all designed to reduce conflict and deliver objective, insightful recommendations. Grounded in a deep understanding of child development, our work helps all parties move forward constructively, with a steadfast commitment to serving the best interests of the child.
Comprehensive Custody & Relocation Evaluations
In family law matters, custody and relocation evaluations provide the court with objective, in-depth psychological insight into family dynamics, parenting capacities, and the specific needs of children. Dr. Lovinger conducts these sensitive assessments to deliver clear, child-centered recommendations that help judges make informed decisions about parenting plans and related matters.
Our Child-Centered Approach
The child’s well-being is the guiding principle of every evaluation. Our approach is grounded in established child development research and a commitment to understanding the unique circumstances of your family. We focus on three core areas:
- Understanding the Child’s World: We assess each child’s developmental stage, emotional needs, and their crucial relationships with each parent and sibling.
- Evaluating Parenting Capacities: We examine each parent’s strengths, parenting styles, and their individual ability to meet the child’s ongoing needs.
- Analyzing the Complete Picture: We consider all relevant factors, including family dynamics, stability, and any specific concerns, to form a comprehensive and objective view.
What to Expect: The Evaluation Process
Initial Conversation and Planning
Our process is structured, thorough, and transparent to ensure all parties understand each step.
- Initial Consultation and Planning The process begins with a clear review of the court order and the specific questions to be addressed. We discuss procedures, confidentiality, and fees so that all parties have clear expectations from the start.
- Comprehensive Data Gathering Dr. Lovinger utilizes multiple methods to gather a complete picture. This typically includes:
Individual interviews with each parent.
Age-appropriate, sensitive interviews with the children.
Observations of parent-child interactions.
Review of relevant documents (e.g., school, medical, or legal records).
Consultation with collateral contacts (e.g., teachers, therapists), only with appropriate written consent.
Psychological testing, if necessary to clarify specific issues. - Objective Analysis and Final Report All collected information is carefully analyzed to form data-driven conclusions. The evaluation culminates in a detailed written report that directly addresses the court’s questions, outlines the findings, and provides clear, well-reasoned recommendations designed to support the best interests of the child.
Expert Witness Testimony
A comprehensive evaluation is only as valuable as its ability to inform the court. Dr. Lovinger excels at bridging the gap between complex psychological findings and legal decision-making through clear, compelling, and defensible expert testimony. Whether in deposition or in court, he presents his professional opinions in plain language, ensuring that legal decisions are grounded in sound, child-centered evidence.
Parent Coordination
Parent Coordination is a specialized, child-focused process designed to help high-conflict families resolve disputes and implement their parenting plan without constant court involvement. Having completed the required training, Dr. Lovinger is qualified to serve as a court-appointed Parent Coordinator (PC). In this neutral role, he helps parents shield their children from conflict by mediating day-to-day disputes over scheduling and activities, teaching effective co-parenting strategies, and resolving impasses. When parents cannot agree, he is empowered to make binding decisions or recommendations on logistical issues. This process prevents constant litigation, reduces stress on the family, and provides a structured solution for co-parenting challenges.
Next Steps - Arranging a Custody Evaluation
Attorneys, courts, or parties with their attorney’s knowledge can contact Advanced Therapy Center at 216-450-1300 to discuss custody evaluation services or arrange a consultation.
Scheduling: While Dr. Lovinger accommodates court timelines, it is essential to contact us well in advance of your court dates to allow for a comprehensive and thorough evaluation.
Relocation Evaluations
When a parent proposes moving with a child, it creates one of the most challenging and emotionally charged situations in family law. Dr. Lovinger provides the specialized, child-centered evaluation needed to bring objective clarity to these decisions, offering the court crucial, evidence-based guidance.
Our Comprehensive Evaluation Framework: From Analysis to Recommendation
To provide this clarity, our evaluation provides the court with specific findings and recommendations on the key factors that determine a child’s best interests. We thoroughly examine:
- Parent-Child Relationships: The nature and quality of the child’s bond with each parent, and how meaningful connections can be maintained through communication strategies and revised parenting plans.
- The Child’s World: The child’s developmental needs and their crucial attachments to their current community, school, friends, and extended family.
- Parental Capacity & Motivation: Each parent’s motivations, resources, and capacity to support the child through the significant emotional and practical challenges of a major transition.
- Proposed Visitation Plan: The practical realities and feasibility of the proposed visitation schedule, including travel logistics and costs, to ensure it is realistic and sustainable.
- Benefit vs. Drawback Analysis: A balanced analysis of the proposed move, weighing potential benefits (e.g., improved family support, new opportunities) against the costs to the child’s stability and key relationships.
These detailed findings and integrated recommendations help courts make informed decisions in what are often among the most challenging and consequential family law matters.
Next Steps: Inquiries & Consultations
To initiate an evaluation, discuss parent coordination, or arrange a consultation, please contact our office at 216-450-1300 or complete our secure contact form.
For attorneys seeking to retain Dr. Lovinger for expert testimony, please contact him directly at 216-536-9513 to discuss your case needs.
Important: Please contact us well in advance of court dates to allow for a thorough and comprehensive evaluation process.