How to Win a Child Custody Evaluation

Child custody evaluations are a difficult process to undergo.

Divorce is a difficult and emotionally draining process. The proceedings are compounded when minor children are involved. Courts must make determinations about which parent is going to be the "custodial" parent (the parent who will primarily care for the child). The determination is called a "child custody evaluation." The goal of an evaluation is to determine the best interests of each child. A number of factors, such as a parent's ability to pay for food and health care and the preference of the child, go in to determining which parent is to be the custodial parent.

Instructions

1. Back up your statements with facts and remain neutral with the assessor. Do not belittle your ex-spouse's parenting abilities. Rather than claiming your ex-spouse is a "sloppy drunk," you might say "I'm worried about my ex-spouse because she often spends X amount of dollars a week on alcohol" and use receipts to prove it.

2. Avoid exaggerating your parenting skills. Most assessors and judges can tell when a person is puffing up his or her parenting skills. Acknowledge that you have your own faults, but downplay the faults in light of your highlights. Again, use facts to back up your points.

3. Read through your state's child custody factors. Think about each factor and how you fit into each factor as the "best interest" for your child.

References

• Child Welfare: Determining the Best Interests of the Child
• Father Mag: In the Best Interest of the Child
• Dr Frazer: Winning Child Custody Evaluations
• AFCC Net: Model Standards of Practice for Child Custody Evaluation