What To Expect When Meeting With a CCES Evaluator

If you’ve been ordered to undergo a meeting with a CCES evaluator, you’re probably feeling a bit nervous. What happens during the interview? What kinds of questions will the evaluator ask you?

Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C. explains the Bucks County CCES meeting process and what to expect during your interview below.

What Is CCES?

CCES stands for “Court Conciliation and Evaluation Service.” Its main goal is to help parents create a parenting plan that is in the child’s best interest. If parents can’t agree on a parenting plan, CCES will create one for them based on the evaluation.

CCES takes place over six to eight sessions. In addition to the evaluation, CCES sessions can include co-parenting counseling and education.

The Custody Evaluation Process

The CCES process begins with a referral and ends with the creation of a parenting plan following interviews, document review, and court recommendations.

CCES Referral and Form Completion

Either the Custody Master or judge assigned to your case can submit a referral for CCES. You and the child’s other parent must fill out the Referral Form and Consent and Waiver Form. Once you’ve submitted the forms, you’ll have to pay your portion of the CCES fee within 14 days.

CCES Evaluator Assignment

After submitting forms and paying the fee, you’ll have a CCES evaluator assigned to your case. If there is a mutual preference, parties can select up to three names from the CCES evaluator list.

Evaluator assignment is based on:

  • The evaluator’s caseload
  • No conflicts of interest
  • The parties’ geographical area
  • Mutual preference

Individual and Joint Interviews

First, the CCES evaluator will meet with you and the child’s other parent individually. During the meeting, you can discuss the history of the custody case and any issues you have regarding the current parenting plan. Bring documents that you want the evaluator to review to this meeting.

After meeting with both parents separately, there will be a joint meeting. This meeting allows the evaluator to see how the parents interact with each other. The evaluator watches:

  • Body language
  • How each parent speaks about the other
  • Consistency in their stories

Next, the evaluator will meet with the children if they’re of an appropriate age. The evaluator may also want to interview grandparents, stepparents, or other parties that spend a lot of time with the children.

Document Review

Lastly, the evaluator will review all relevant documents, which may include medical records, school transcripts, text messages, etc. They will then create a clinical report with a recommendation on how to resolve the disputes between parents. Depending on the evaluator’s caseload, it can take several months for them to finish their report.

If the parents can’t reach an agreement after reviewing the report, they may file a motion for a hearing with a judge. 

Our Attorneys Can Help You Create the Right Co-Parenting Plan

Do you need advice on preparing for your meeting with a CCES evaluator? Considering trying mediation? Reach out to Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C. at (215) 752-6200 to schedule a consultation.

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I Don’t Talk to My Kids – Reunification Therapy

Not having a relationship with your children can be heartbreaking. Regardless of the circumstances that led to you and your children not speaking, you can attempt to repair the relationship with reunification therapy. This process could even help you resolve custody disputes and allow you to regain visitation with your kids. 

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Reunification Therapy? 

Reunification therapy is a form of mental health therapy that aims to restore parent-child relationships. Judges sometimes order reunification therapy to help resolve messy child custody disputes. Courts like parents and children to be involved in each other’s lives, and this is one way to promote a healthy familial unit. 

In many families where the parents do not share custody, there is a “favored parent” and a “rejected parent.” Reunifying the rejected parent with the child and strengthening the relationship often requires therapeutic intervention. 

During reunification therapy, a therapist works with a parent and their child to improve communication and restore the bond between them. Techniques may include:

  • Family systems therapy, which involves resolving conflicts within the family unit
  • Education sessions about family dynamics
  • Setting boundaries and discussing co-parenting guidelines

Reunification therapy is child-focused and moves at the child’s pace. While the entire family can experience emotional healing through this therapy, the main goal is for the child to find healing and strengthen their relationship with the rejected parent. 

Reunification Therapy and Child Custody 

Judges often recommend or order reunification for families going through stressful custody disputes. It’s often a necessary method of resolving parental alienation. Alienation happens when one parent turns the child against the other parent to attempt to secure more favorable visitation or custody. 

After a family goes through reunification therapy, they may be more willing to concede to split custody. The child may also be happier in the home with the alienated parent. 

This process is often slow and involves other steps, such as individual therapy. With these tools, estranged families learn how to restore their relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries. 

Who Needs Reunification Therapy? 

Not having any communication with your kids is a surefire sign that you could benefit from reunification therapy. Your family may also benefit from this therapy if any of the following are true. 

  • Your ex has turned your child against you. 
  • Your relationship with your child has become strained, and the child favors the other parent.
  • A judge has ordered reunification therapy as part of your child custody arrangement. 

Reunification therapy is sometimes recommended in cases where a parent has been in drug or alcohol rehab, and their addiction has impacted their relationship with their child. In this case, supervised visitation may be safer for the child. 

Seek Child Custody Assistance From Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C. 

Gaining custody can be challenging if you don’t talk to your kids. Reunification therapy can help. You should also work with an experienced family law attorney to navigate the child custody process successfully while prioritizing your child’s interests. 

Contact Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., today at (866) 349-4721 to schedule a consultation.

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No-Contact Order vs. Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order: What’s the Difference in Pennsylvania?

You’re scared, and you need to put distance between yourself and your spouse in fear that they will hurt you or your children. You know that filing some type of restraining order can help, but you are unsure about which one is appropriate and how the two differ. The idea of navigating the court system and following all the rules can also feel daunting. 

A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order and a no-contact order could both bring you peace of mind. Learn the difference between no contact vs. PFA in Pennsylvania, then seek legal assistance.  

What Is a PFA?

A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a court order that prohibits an abuser from coming into physical contact with you. This is a type of restraining order and is often used in cases of domestic violence. PFAs last up to three years and are available to individuals 18 or older or teens and children when accompanied by an adult. 

When you file for a PFA, a police officer will serve notice to your abuser. They must attend a PFA hearing, where a judge will hear both sides and determine whether to issue the court order. If you are in immediate danger, you can also seek a temporary PFA that would go into effect immediately.

PFA orders prevent the abuser from entering your home, school, and/or place of work. If you live with the abuser, they will need to vacate the home. You will also gain custody or visitation rights of your children during this period. 

However, if the defendant fights this restraining order, the judge may not grant it unless you can provide evidence of a physical threat or assault. 

PFAs offer victim protection, but they aren’t the only type of protective order in Pennsylvania. Ask your attorney whether a Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO) or Protection From Intimidation Order (PFI) may be better. 

What Is a No-Contact Order?

A no-contact order is a protective order that prohibits a person from contacting you in person, by phone, or by any other means. The main difference between a no-contact order and a PFA is that a no-contact order can only go into effect after a violent act has occurred, not just after the threat of an action. 

No-contact orders go both ways — neither of you can contact each other. This protective order seeks to prevent future crimes. You may seek a no-contact order while waiting for a judge to issue a PFA.

If your abuser violates a no-contact order, they may be found in contempt of court, which can lead to jail time and fines. 

Do you need help understanding the difference between a no-contact order and a PFA? Are you seeking an appropriate protective order? Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., is on your side and can help you navigate every step of this legal process. Contact our Pennsylvania attorneys today at (866) 349-4721 to schedule a consultation. 

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Child Custody – What Not To Say About Your Ex

Your emotions are probably intense if you’re navigating a heated child custody battle. Saying something negative about your ex may seem like a good idea. After all, couldn’t it show the judge that you should have full custody instead of them?  

In reality, saying the wrong thing during a custody battle can hurt your case. It can also place more stress on your children during an already tumultuous process. Our Bucks County, PA child custody attorneys provide a few tips on what not to say or do during a child custody battle. 

Don’t Say Negative Words About Your Ex to Your Children

Your children are at the heart of your custody battle. It can be tempting to involve them in your arguments by slandering your ex in front of them. 

Maybe you want to vent to your kids about how rude your ex is. It’s much better to vent to a friend or an attorney than to involve your children. 

Kids become confused easily and don’t need to know the details of your dispute with your spouse. If the judge hears you were complaining about your ex to your kids, they may believe you were trying to alienate them, which could affect your co-parenting agreement and visitation rights. 

Don’t Tell Your Children What Your Ex Did

Did your ex cheat on you? Steal money from your joint accounts? Lie about their behavior? Tell it to the court — not your children. On the rare chance your child is called to testify, a judge will not look favorably on your tattling about your ex to your kids. Your custody battle is already stressful enough for your children without you encouraging them to choose sides or lose trust in their other parent. 

Don’t Tell Lies About Your Ex

You may be tempted to make up lies about your ex in court to prove poor parental conduct. Maybe you believe your ex would be neglectful of your child, but you don’t have any proof of them acting that way, so you decide to make up a story about how they forgot to pick your child up from school. 

If a judge finds out you lied in court, it could have devastating consequences for your child custody case.  

Don’t Be Rude or Disrespectful 

While tensions run high during child custody battles, avoid being rude or disrespectful to anyone involved in your case. Unkind words to your spouse can make their way to the judge’s ears and hurt your case.

You especially need to watch what you say in court. Judges make decisions in the child’s best interest, and if they see you acting immaturely or aggressively, they’ll consider your behavior when finalizing the court orders. 

Contact Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., for Guidance Through Your Custody Battle

Knowing what to say and what not to say during a child custody dispute can be challenging. Allow experienced and compassionate divorce attorney Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., to guide you. Contact us today at (866) 349-4721 to schedule a confidential consultation. 

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