ABSTRACT
The involvement of court and lawyers automatically complicates the therapeutic process. Ethical issues such as confidentiality and maintaining neutrality are of utmost importance. Releases of information must be obtained by both parties for lawyers and also the court, if the court requires a report. The court in Arkansas puts a lot of responsibility upon the ad litem attorney to represent the interests of the children. These attorneys are normally interested in what happens in co-parenting therapy, and they will often look to the therapist for clues as to what decisions are in the best interests of the children. If a therapist is solicited by a lawyer who represents either parent, it is important that a release is obtained from both parents. Conversations with lawyers for either side should be carefully worded to promote compromise and good will between the parties.
