Psychology of best interest standard: fifty state statutes and their theoretical antecedents

Abstract

Abstract Case law, psychological literature, and current legal standards and codes are discussed and summarized in relation to best interest of the child standard. Legal information from 1993 to the present as well as psychological precedent and practice from 1925 forward are presented. An overview of states' endorsement of various standards of best interest is summarized in table form. It is our hope that mental health practitioners serving as expert witnesses to the court will use this information to guide their custody evaluation process.