Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is a work in progress. It covers some of the more common questions that we am asked regarding our services. If you have a question regarding services that is not listed here please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with more details about our services. As a reminder, we cannot respond to questions regarding specific case details unless a formal working relationship has been established.

Q: How long does it take to complete a social study?

A: Generally social studies can be completed within three to four months of the first interview, however this time frame is dependent on the parties and attorneys involved responding promptly, the flexibility of the parties' schedules, time needed to receive collateral records, and other case specific issues. If the social study is needed by a certain date please make sure that issue is brought to our attention when services are initiated.

Q: Do you take insurance?

A: Most of the services we offer are not reimbursed by health insurance because they are legal, rather than healthcare, services. For therapy, or other services that are reimbursed by insurance, a statement of services can be provided so clients can seek insurance reimbursement directly. We are currently not on any insurance pannels and do not bill insurance directly.

Q: Do you work with Collaborative Law cases?

A: Yes, Mr. Robb is available both as a child specialist and as a communications consultant in collaborative law cases. Please see the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas for more information regarding collaborative divorce in Texas.

Q: Your fee statement notes that some issues take more time to evaluate. Why is that?

A: Generally, additional time to complete a social study comes from three areas: additional interviews of stepparents, fiances, stepchildren, roommates, and other persons relevant to the case; review of extensive documentation from professional sources such as Child Protective Services, previous hearings, past psychosocial evaluations, etc.; and review of additional concerns raised during the course of a social study, i.e. issues brought to emergency hearings during the social study or CPS investigations during the course of the study. While these are the most common areas that necessitate additional time to complete the evaluation there are many other case specific issues that can crop up during an evaluation.

Q: Do you use any psychometric testing instruments in your evaluations?

A: No. Although Mr. Robb trained and licensed to administer common test instruments, such as the MMPI-2, generally we do not use such testing in social study evaluations. Although research has been able to provide some preliminary data on testing with parents who are involved in custody litigation, most test instruments were actually designed to be used with clinical populations who are seeking treatment for mental health issues, and thus are not appropriate for use in a forensic (court-connected) process. Additionally, review of the psychometric "tests" which purport to be designed for child custody cases indicates they are either experimental in nature or are without sound empirical proof of their effectiveness/reliability in providing valid information.

© Copyright 2003-2011, All Rights Reserved