Truth In Parentage -- Equitable Estoppel:

The Clinical Aspects

by

Richard Mayer, M.D.

This clinical presentation will focus on a worse case clinical scenario in Equitable Estoppel. Assume the case of a child where one or both parents became the parent(s) by adoption. Further assume that the child has no knowledge that he is adopted. Now assume one or both biological parent(s) is involved in an Equitable Estoppel proceeding. Further assume that you are the Law Guardian for the child. Now, what do you do? Who tells the child? Under what circumstances? To what purpose? To what effect?

This session will discuss the clinical framework necessary to approach this case. With that as background, this presenter will then discuss possible ways for a Law Guardian to view and approach this case from a clinical perspective. In the discussion, clinical material will be drawn from such sources as:

1. Developmental Theory
2. Attachment Theory
3. Family Systems Theory
4. Clinical experience of the presenter and audience

The goal of the presentation is to impart a practical sense of who should do what in this case with regard to the child. It will address:

1. The potential impact on all parties
2. Who should deal with what
3. The clinical implications of the Law Guardian role

In the discussion, several philosophical points will be touched upon such as:

1. “What is truth?”
2. Truth v Reality
3. Truth v the Facts
4. “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” in clinical terms
5. Truth as a double edge sword
6. Truth as a weapon

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Last Updated January 6, 2012

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