What Does a Child Custody Evaluator Do?

 Posted on February 16, 2023 in Divorce

A child custody evaluator is an impartial third party appointed by the court to investigate and report on the best interests of a child relating to custody issues and parenting time. The role of the evaluator is to assess each parent's parenting ability, any emotional or physical factors that could affect the parents’ ability to properly care for the child, and determine how a proposed parenting arrangement would affect the child.

If you are getting divorced and you have children, it is important to know how a child custody evaluator may play a role in your case.

How Does a Child Custody Evaluator Decide About What is Best for the Child?

A child custody evaluator provides the court with evidence and expert testimony on the issues of parenting plans and child custody as they relate to your case. The evaluator may interview parents, children, teachers, family members, and other people who are familiar with the situation in order to make knowledgeable recommendations about what would be in the child's best interests.

The evaluator will consider and weigh factors such as past history of abusive behavior, the overall mental health of the parties, each parent's ability to provide for the child, lifestyle stability, and any other relevant information that can help inform their evaluation. The court may also request that the evaluator consider any prior agreements that have been made concerning the child’s custody.

A child custody evaluator may conduct a home study during which he or she will visit both parents' residences. The evaluator will assess the health, safety, and appropriateness of each home environment, as well as the behaviors of the adults and children living in the home.

Ultimately, the evaluator will provide a report with findings and recommendations to the court. The court will use this report in making its decision on what is best for the child.

How to Handle a Child Custody Evaluation

If you are facing a child custody evaluation, it is important to be cooperative and prepared. The evaluator will observe how you interact with the child and other family members, so be sure to remain respectful and calm in your behavior. Additionally, provide the evaluator with any records or documents that may assist them in the evaluation process.

It can be awkward to have a stranger ask you personal questions or evaluate your home. However, the child custody evaluator is only doing their job in helping the court make an informed decision about what is best for the child. Keeping this in mind may help ease some of the tension and uncomfortableness you experience during the process. 

Contact Our Palatine Child Custody Lawyer

Going through a child custody dispute during a divorce is stressful and confusing. Our Arlington Heights family law attorney can help. Attorney Nicholas W. Richardson has extensive experience in the fields of divorce, parenting plans, collaborative law, child custody, and other family law matters. He can provide you with the personalized advice and representation you need. Call The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. at 847.873.6741 to set up a case assessment. 

Source:

https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050K604.10.htm