In Oregon, family law attorneys have a small handful of evaluators that are used over and over again. These evaluators know that in order to get an attorney’s business, they have to be fair, even-handed, and they can’t be biased.
Because there are not enough evaluators, evaluations can take a long time because evaluators are so backed up. Family law attorneys talk to each other and think about the last time they used that evaluator. Did it seem like that person had any biases towards moms and dads, did they like private schools or public schools, do they like 50/50 parenting plans or do they like one parent to have more time, do they have problems with marijuana use? Attorneys kind of keep a list in their minds of the things they found out about these different evaluators. Then when it’s time to pick one, they try to pick one that they think is going to be best for the particular case and client. A lot of times it’s just their instincts as family law attorneys and with what they know about the evaluators.
Laura Schantz is a family law attorney and mediator practicing in Beaverton, Oregon. To learn more about Laura Schantz and her firm, Schantz Law P.C., visit www.oregondivorceattorney.com.
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