MJMANDALAY
01-24-2008, 06:41 PM
In an attempt to get more time with his daughter, former Gov. James E. McGreevey wants two psychologists he hired for his divorce proceedings to study the relationship between him and his estranged wife and how that relates to their child, according to recently filed court papers.
McGreevey asked that one of the experts, author and psychologist David Brodzinsky, begin observing and talking to 6-year-old Jacqueline this weekend.
But at a hearing in Union county this afternoon, Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy barred any such action until she decides whether she will even allow the experts to become part of the divorce case.
The issue surfaced Tuesday when McGreevey filed papers claiming a third psychologist, appointed by the court, believes his daughter would be better off if she spent more time with him.
McGreevey, who now gets to see his daughter on Wednesday nights and every other weekend, wants his time with Jacqueline to increase to 50 percent.
The best way for the court to figure out what is in Jacqueline's best interest is to examine the entire family, McGreevey argued in the court papers.
His estranged wife, Dina Matos McGreevey, has refused, saying the time had passed in their bitter divorce battle to hire experts.
The couple's relationship has been rancorous since McGreevey filed for divorce nearly a year ago. Matos McGreevey wants Jacqueline to live with her. She also wants alimony and for McGreevey to pay her damages because, she claims, he tricked her into a marriage for political gain when he knew he was gay.
McGreevey has countered that there was no fraud and that Matos McGreevey knew his sexual orientation when they married in 2000. McGreevey had to give up his position as governor in August 2004 when it came to light that he was involved in a gay affair with an aide.
McGreevey asked that one of the experts, author and psychologist David Brodzinsky, begin observing and talking to 6-year-old Jacqueline this weekend.
But at a hearing in Union county this afternoon, Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy barred any such action until she decides whether she will even allow the experts to become part of the divorce case.
The issue surfaced Tuesday when McGreevey filed papers claiming a third psychologist, appointed by the court, believes his daughter would be better off if she spent more time with him.
McGreevey, who now gets to see his daughter on Wednesday nights and every other weekend, wants his time with Jacqueline to increase to 50 percent.
The best way for the court to figure out what is in Jacqueline's best interest is to examine the entire family, McGreevey argued in the court papers.
His estranged wife, Dina Matos McGreevey, has refused, saying the time had passed in their bitter divorce battle to hire experts.
The couple's relationship has been rancorous since McGreevey filed for divorce nearly a year ago. Matos McGreevey wants Jacqueline to live with her. She also wants alimony and for McGreevey to pay her damages because, she claims, he tricked her into a marriage for political gain when he knew he was gay.
McGreevey has countered that there was no fraud and that Matos McGreevey knew his sexual orientation when they married in 2000. McGreevey had to give up his position as governor in August 2004 when it came to light that he was involved in a gay affair with an aide.