What You Need To Know About Child Custody Assessments
When you get divorced and you have children, child custody will be one of the most important parts of your divorce settlement terms. Part of determining child custody may include a child custody assessment. If you have never heard of a child custody assessment, the following information may be useful:
Who Needs a Child Custody Assessment?
Any couple who enters custody negotiations is subject to a child custody assessment. In some cases, the court may order child custody assessments based on different individual and family circumstances.
Who Performs a Child Custody Assessment?
A mental health professional who has special certifications in child custody assessments will perform the evaluation. They will gather specific information from those who are actively involved in the lives of your children as well as from the children themselves. The evaluator may also make visits to your home as part of the process.
What Happens During a Child Custody Assessment?
Your assessment evaluator will have copies of any documentation regarding your divorce and any information concerning your custody negotiations. Each parent will receive a meeting request from the evaluator. Both parents must speak individually with the evaluator. The evaluator will then interview your children; any additional interviews will be scheduled afterward. Any home visits will be discussed in your interviews as well.
After the collection of information is collected, the evaluator will provide a recommendation regarding the custody of your children to the court. A judge will often take the child custody assessment heavily into consideration when making a final decision on your custody case.
Can You Choose an Evaluator?
You and your spouse can work with your respective attorneys to choose an evaluator for your child custody assessment. You both must agree on the evaluator before you can move forward. If you both cannot agree on your child custody assessment evaluator, the court will assign one.
Can You Impact the Outcome of the Child Custody Assessment?
One thing to remember is how emotional this time is. Divorces can get messy and child custody negotiations can be incredibly emotional. The best way to get what you want from the assessment is to be open, honest, and authentic. Do not present yourself dishonestly, as most child custody assessment evaluators are trained to spot someone who is appearing to be someone they are not. Also, do not coach your children before their interview. This not only does not help your case but can harm your case.
For more information, contact a child custody lawyer.
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