Custody and Parenting Time Evaluation
Child Custody Evaluation
When parents are involved in litigation over a parenting schedule, decision-making rights, and other aspects of a parenting plan, the court may order a custody and parenting time evaluation. There are many names for this type of evaluation: child custody evaluation, comprehensive evaluation, bilateral evaluation, social investigation, simply “custody evaluation,” and more.
A custody and parenting time evaluation can provide the court with important information about each parent and each child, as well as important issues at play. One reason an attorney may recommend an evaluation is to allow an expert the time and means necessary to shed light on concerns the parents have about each other and about the children. A thorough evaluation offers the benefit of an in-depth investigation that can be summarized for the court. This can help the judge gain a more complete understanding of the people and issues involved in the case than would be possible otherwise in the time allotted for a trial.
However, evaluations can vary greatly depending on who the evaluator is. Experienced and expertly trained evaluators will employ many methods of information gathering so they are not relying too heavily on information from a single source. Many use face-to-face interviews, questionnaires, and psychological testing, in addition to reviewing documents and contacting professionals and others involved with the family. Because each situation is unique, the same evaluator may use different methodologies for different cases. For example, home visits are rarely helpful for most cases, but for some cases they may be necessary. Expertly trained evaluators will spend enough time with each parent over several meetings to sufficiently understand who they are, as well as comprehend the relevant issues. They know how to get to know the children and come to understand what they need without placing pressure on them to choose sides, being too intrusive, or involving them further in parental conflict.