Can Expert Witnesses Be Used In Custody Battles? | Friendship Heights Lawyer

Transcript

Expert witnesses are frequently used in all kinds of civil litigation, and your custody case proceeds through the courts on the same trial track as a breach of contract case, tort case, or divorce case, where custody could be one of the sub-issues. Anytime an opinion is required that takes knowledge outside of what you or the general public might know, you could use an expert.

Sometimes, these experts are brought in to comment on issues like a child’s developmental disability or past abuse. They might also be used to verify or negate allegations of abuse, or in cases of high-conflict or complex custody, to provide an expert opinion on what the best arrangement is for the child.

This adds an extra layer of complexity, so it’s important to consult with an experienced family law attorney before deciding whether or not to involve an expert.