What is a child custody evaluation?

A child custody evaluation is a process in which a trained professional, usually a court-appointed psychologist or social worker, looks at the details of a divorce situation and evaluates which parent would be the best custodial parent for a child. In Hawaii, the court will generally order a custody evaluation as part of the divorce process. The evaluator will look at the stability of the parent’s lifestyle and other factors such as relationships with the child, living environment, and the parent’s job or other activities, among other things. The process usually involves interviews with the parents, as well as interviews with family and friends. The evaluator will also conduct psychological testing, such as intelligence testing, to get a more complete picture of the parent-child relationship. The evaluator will then prepare a report that includes their findings and a recommendation as to which parent should have primary custody. This recommendation is not binding, but it goes a long way in helping the court make a decision that is in the best interest of the child. Ultimately, the court will make the final decision on child custody.

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