A custody evaluation (also called a parenting evaluation) is when a neutral, usually psychology-trained third party investigates your family and gives the court an opinion on what the custody arrangement should be. Like a guardian ad litem’s recommendation, an evaluator’s report can carry enormous weight, judges accept these recommendations a large majority of the time, which is why how you handle the process matters so much. It is also, unfortunately, unpredictable: skilled manipulators can fool even credentialed evaluators, so preparation and documentation are everything.
These answers cover how evaluations work and how to handle yours when your ex is high-conflict.
Understanding the process
Preparing and protecting yourself
- How do I prepare and look good to the evaluator?
- My ex is lying about me to the evaluator.
- What if I got an unfavorable evaluation?
Related: parental alienation answers · all answers
Frequently asked questions
A neutral, usually psychology-trained evaluator investigates your family through interviews, observation, records, and sometimes testing, then gives the court an opinion on what the custody arrangement should be.
How much weight does an evaluator’s report carry?
A great deal. Judges accept these recommendations a large majority of the time, which is why how you handle the process matters so much.
How do I prepare for a custody evaluation?
Focus on your child rather than attacking your ex, bring organized documentation, be honest about difficulties rather than presenting as flawless, and show up as the stable, child-focused parent.
What if the evaluation goes against me?
An unfavorable report is not automatically the end. You can challenge the methodology, provide evidence that contradicts it, and in some cases seek a second evaluation. Get your attorney’s read quickly.
