What is a Custody Evaluation?
A child custody evaluator is a court-appointed licensed professional selected to assess the best needs of children and the parents' abilities to meet those needs when custody is disputed. The evaluator seeks to review and understand past events, present resources and future needs of the family. The evaluator is concerned with the strengths and weaknesses of both parents and is focused on the best interests of the child/children. The evaluator has expertise in understanding the divorce process and its effects on families.
Who is it for?
-
Necessary when co-parents are unable to decide details of their child custody agreement
-
Belief that the current agreement does not best meet the needs of the children
-
One parent seeks to change physical locations that requires a change to the agreement and mediation fails