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What is a Custodial Evaluation?

If you are involved in Georgia child custody dispute, you should be familiar with the possibility that the judge will order you and your child’s other parent to participate in a custodial evaluation.  If parents are unable to reach an agreement as to custody of their child, a court-appointed psychologist or mental health professional can meet with the parties, evaluate the situation, and give the court recommendations as to what custody arrangement would be in the best interest of the child.  A custodial evaluation also may occur in a child custody case if the two parents agree that such an evaluation would be benefitial.

The goal of a custody evaluator is to determine your child’s needs, both physical and emotional, consider how each parent is meeting those needs, and develop a custody and visitation schedule that is designed to meet your child’s needs as fully as possible.  In order to complete his or her task, the custody evaluator can use a variety of different tools to gather information and assess the current situation. These tools are likely to include personal interviews with both parents and the child, examination of school records, medical records, and any other relevant written documentation, psychological testing for the parents, schedules and responsibilities for the child’s extracurricular activities, and interviews with other interested parties, such as grandparents, teachers, babysitters, and other adults who regularly come into contact with the child. The evaluator then will consider all of the information that he or she has gathered and draft a recommendation for the court to consider in making a custody decision for the child.

Keep in mind that the court will consider the recommendation and for the most part accepts it, unless in rare circumstances where there is proven cause presented to the judge or jury to reject the recommendation.  Again, this is rare, but the Shaw Law Firm has handled such complexities and can help you navigate such a situation if it were to arise.

An Atlanta child custody lawyer at the Shaw Law Firm LLC can help advice you about whether a custodial evaluation would be beneficial or appropriate in your child custody case. Contact us or call today to learn how Shaw Law can work with you to achieve the best outcome possible for you and your children.

Scott Shaw is founder and principle of Shaw Law Firm LLC, founded in 1995 and dedicated solely to divorce, family law and child custody matters that must be addressed and decided in the state of Georgia. Shaw Law Firm serves the greater Metro Atlanta area, particularly the counties of Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth, Paulding, Henry, Fayette, Coweta, Newton, Walton, Bartow and Douglas. Schedule a consultation today at 770-594-8309.