How does the judge know who is right or wrong?
Both parties are required to provide information and documents under oath concerning any issue relevant to the case. If there is a dispute over custody or visitation, the parties may be ordered to mediation and/or for evaluation by custody experts. The court has statutory power to appoint an independent expert to conduct an investigation and make recommendations. The parents may also seek evaluation of the children and each other by their own partisan experts. Experts may also be hired to appraise property and businesses. The judge has discretion as to whether or not to interview the children in camera (in chambers). The judge will hold hearings or a trial at which both parties present testimony and other evidence. The judge is required to make his or her decisions based upon the law and the evidence.
