As noted in a related article, child custody evaluations are sometimes ordered when child custody is vigorously disputed by battling parents. A child custody evaluation is an official Order issued by Maryland divorce court judges and is conducted by trained and experienced professionals. In this article, the Child Custody and Divorce lawyers at the Law Office of Robert Castro offer some pro tips on how to deal with a child custody evaluation if one is ordered in your divorce proceeding. Worrying about an evaluation can be stressful. But there are some easy steps to take that can help manage the process. If you have more questions, contact us. Our number is (301) 870-1200, or use our contact page. We have offices in Waldorf, Maryland.

Understanding the Process

As noted above, the person conducting the custody evaluation is assigned the task by the Maryland divorce court judge. The goal is to gather data so that the court can make a decision about awarding custody based on what is in the best interests of the child or children in question. The evaluator will make home visits, review documents, and meet with other family members and others involved in the lives of the child/children. Documents reviewed might include (where relevant): financial and employment records of the parents, school report cards, medical records, etc. The evaluator will also have face-to-face interviews with the parents and might have interviews with the child/children if they are of sufficient age and maturity.

Eventually, the evaluator will prepare a report for submission to the judge (with copies being provided to all the parties involved). Sometimes, the report includes an opinion from the evaluator. However, the judge is not bound to follow that opinion. The process generally takes several weeks to complete.

Tips for Managing the Process

Here are some general tips for managing the process of a child custody evaluation.

• Be calm and kind — the evaluator is not “out to get you” and is just doing his or her job; remember, the judge is making the decision; the evaluator is just gathering data
• Be prepared — have documents ready if the evaluator wants to see various things
• Clean the house and living space — cleanliness is important
• Make sure the living space is reasonably safe for raising children
• Do not mislead or lie to the evaluator
• Do not badmouth the other parent — doing this is a negative “sign” for the evaluator; it suggests that the parents cannot cooperate; lack of cooperation can negatively impact the child/children
• Call individuals who might be contacted by the evaluator (but do not tell them what to say) — letting people know they might be contacted smooths the interaction
• Let the child/children know what is happening and why the evaluator is visiting/asking questions

Contact Waldorf, Maryland Family Law and Child Custody Lawyer Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland family law and divorce lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Family Law lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 20601.