When Do I Ask For A Child Custody Evaluation

The best Child Custody Evaluators are those in private practice. They cost a little more but in my opinion the best interest of the child is served much more expertly.

As soon as you and your spouse, baby daddy, baby mother, etc. can not come to an equitable arrangement about the necessities for the child(ren), e.g. visitation, choice of school, which medical doctor to use, discipline of the child, general rules that the child must follow, counseling during the divorce or separation, high verbal or physical conflict, or an impasse regarding the child visiting relatives, etc. is the best time to ask the judge for a child custody evaluation. In California this is referred to as a 730 Evaluation.

There is a list of highly qualified Child Custody Evaluators who meet the standards of the Superior Court of California as to education, training, and experience. This list is on line as part of the Family Court of the Superior Court. You want to select an evaluator with outstanding credentials, training in forensics, has American Board or American Academy national certifications, especially in dealing with Traumatic Stress, and psychotherapy. Although the evaluator is not doing therapy, a good therapist is also a good communicator and a good listener. It is a good idea to select an evaluator who is older and has more experience; just theoretical knowledge is less than half of the picture.

If you have further questions, you may call my office at 310-289-8118 and I'll explain this process in more detail This decision to have a Custody Evaluator may be one of the most important decisions you make in the best interest of your child.