A child custody evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation to assess the best interests of the child or children involved in a divorce or custody dispute. A child custody evaluation is carried out by a neutral third party, such as a social worker, clinic psychologist, and family therapist. The evaluation could include:
- Interviews with the parents, children, and other important adults, such as grandparents
- Psychological testing of the parent
- Observing each parent’s interactions with the children
- Interviews with relevant parties such as relatives, neighbors, and teachers
- Examining appropriate records
The evaluator(s) will use the information collected from these observations to create a report for the judge presiding over the case. The report details their findings and recommendations regarding custody.