What is a child custody evaluation?

A child custody evaluation is a process used in New York divorce laws to determine which parent will have custody of the children. It is sometimes referred to as a “best interest evaluation” because the goal is to find the best outcome for the children. A child custody evaluation includes gathering information from both parents and any other individuals involved, such as extended family members, counselors, and teachers. This is done through interviews, questionnaires, and reviews of school, medical, and other records. Depending on the particular case, a court-appointed social worker, psychologist, or other expert may also be engaged to evaluate the parents and the children. Once all of the information has been collected, the evaluator will assess the strengths and weaknesses of each parent and then make a recommendation to the court about which parent should have custody. The court may then use this recommendation to make its decision.

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