If you are involved in a child custody dispute in Georgia, you may be asked by the court to complete a child custody evaluation. This can feel stressful, especially if you are not sure what the evaluation involves or what the evaluator will be looking for.
AACS Atlanta provides professional child custody evaluations to help courts understand the circumstances surrounding a family and make decisions based on the best interests of the child.
This guide explains how a child custody evaluation works, what may be reviewed during the process, and what parents can expect from the evaluation.
What Is a Child Custody Evaluation?
A child custody evaluation, sometimes called a Child Custody Fitness Assessment, provides a comprehensive psychological assessment of a parent’s or guardian’s ability to care for a child.
A Georgia court may order an evaluation as part of a custody dispute, termination of parental rights case, modification of an existing custody arrangement, or a case involving the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).
The purpose of the evaluation is not to punish either parent. Instead, the evaluator looks at the circumstances of the family and provides recommendations based on the safety, welfare, and best interests of the child.
When Can a Child Custody Evaluation Be Required in Georgia?
A child custody evaluation may be requested or ordered in different family law situations.
Common circumstances include:
- Divorce and child custody disputes
- Requests to modify an existing custody arrangement
- Termination of parental rights cases
- Allegations involving abuse or neglect
- Cases involving substance use
- High-conflict custody or co-parenting situations
- DFCS cases where a parent needs to demonstrate parental fitness
The exact requirements can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the court’s instructions.
What Does a Child Custody Evaluator Look At?
A custody evaluation looks at more than just one parent’s behavior. The evaluator may consider information about the parents, children, and overall family environment.
The goal is to develop a complete picture of the circumstances that may affect the child’s well-being.
Parent-Related Factors
The evaluation may consider:
- Emotional and psychological stability
- Parenting abilities and parenting style
- Current and past substance use
- Previous involvement with child welfare agencies
- Ability to cooperate and communicate with the other parent
Child-Related Factors
The evaluator may also consider:
- The child’s emotional and mental well-being
- The child’s relationship and attachment to each parent
- The child’s preferences regarding custody or living arrangements, when age-appropriate
Family-Related Factors
Other family circumstances may also be reviewed, including:
- History of domestic violence
- Allegations of abuse or neglect
- Allegations of parental alienation
- Family relationships and dynamics
- Available family and community support systems
AACS Atlanta may also collect information from people who know the family. This can include notarized statements from family members or other individuals who can provide relevant information about the parent’s ability to care for the child.
How Does a Child Custody Evaluation Work?
The evaluation process can vary depending on the complexity of the case. Some evaluations may be completed in one session, while more involved cases may require multiple sessions.
Here is a general overview of what parents can expect.
Step 1: Initial Interview
The process generally begins with a detailed clinical interview.
The evaluator may ask about your family history, current custody situation, legal history, parenting concerns, and the events that led to the evaluation.
When appropriate, both parents may be interviewed separately. This gives the evaluator an opportunity to understand each parent’s perspective and gather information about the family situation.
Step 2: Clinical Assessments
The evaluator may use standardized assessments to better understand different areas of functioning.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, assessments may examine:
- Mental health functioning
- Substance use
- Emotional stability
- Anger management
- Parenting capacity
These assessments provide additional information that can be considered along with the clinical interview and other records.
Step 3: Gathering Additional Information
A child custody evaluation may involve information from sources other than the parent being evaluated.
The evaluator may review court records, previous evaluations, and other relevant documents. Family members, acquaintances, or other people familiar with the family may also provide information.
In some cases, the court may request notarized statements to provide additional context about the parent’s behavior and ability to care for the child.
Step 4: Child Interview When Appropriate
Depending on the circumstances and the child’s age, the child may also be interviewed.
The purpose is to understand the child’s emotional well-being, relationship with each parent, and preferences regarding custody or living arrangements when appropriate.
The child’s comfort and safety remain important throughout this part of the process.
Step 5: Written Evaluation Report
After the evaluation is completed, the evaluator prepares a formal written report.
The report documents relevant clinical findings and recommendations. It may be provided to the court and other appropriate parties involved in the legal process.
The recommendations are based on the information gathered during the evaluation and the evaluator’s professional assessment of what is in the child’s best interests.
What Can Be the Outcome of a Child Custody Evaluation?
There is no single outcome for every custody evaluation. Recommendations depend on the specific circumstances of the family and the information identified during the evaluation.
Possible recommendations may include:
- Custody awarded to one parent
- Shared or joint custody
- Supervised visitation for one parent
- Substance abuse treatment before custody is granted
- Mental health treatment or counseling
- Anger management or another recommended program
If a judge determines that a recommended program is necessary, completing that requirement may become part of the process for gaining or regaining custody or visitation.
Can Substance Use Affect a Custody Decision?
Yes. A parent’s current or previous substance use may be considered during a child custody evaluation.
However, a history of substance use does not automatically mean that a parent will lose custody.
The evaluator considers the broader clinical picture, including the parent’s history, current circumstances, behavior, and ability to provide a safe environment for the child.
If the court recommends treatment or another program, completing the requirement may demonstrate that the parent is willing to address the concern.
What Happens If a Parent Refuses to Participate?
If a court has ordered a child custody evaluation, refusing to participate can create additional problems in the custody case.
Courts may consider compliance with court orders when making custody-related decisions. If you have concerns about participating in an evaluation, it is important to discuss those concerns with your attorney and follow the court’s instructions.
Are Child Custody Evaluations Confidential?
The evaluation is conducted with appropriate professional privacy protections. However, a court-ordered evaluation is different from ordinary private counseling.
The evaluator may submit the written evaluation report to the court and other relevant parties as required by the legal process.
Parents should understand this distinction before participating in the evaluation.
Can a Child Custody Evaluation Be Completed Virtually?
AACS Atlanta offers secure virtual child custody assessments through telehealth.
Virtual evaluations can be useful for parents who have work responsibilities, childcare obligations, or court deadlines that make an in-person appointment difficult.
AACS Atlanta’s virtual evaluations are conducted through secure video conferencing and are available in English and Spanish. Same-day and next-day appointment options may also be available.
Whether a virtual evaluation is appropriate for your case can depend on the court’s requirements and the circumstances of the evaluation.
How Much Does a Child Custody Evaluation Cost?
AACS Atlanta’s child custody evaluation is offered at $600. Flexible payment and financing options may be available.
Court deadlines often apply to custody cases, so schedule your evaluation as soon as you learn that the court requires one.
What Should You Bring to a Child Custody Evaluation?
Having the relevant information available can help the evaluator understand your situation.
Depending on your case, you may need to provide:
- Court documents
- Custody or divorce-related paperwork
- Previous evaluation reports
- DFCS-related documents, when applicable
- Information about previous treatment or services
- Other records requested by the evaluator
If the court or your attorney has provided specific instructions for the evaluation, bring those documents to your appointment.
A Simple Example of How a Custody Evaluation Can Affect a Case
Consider a situation where two parents are involved in a custody dispute and one parent has concerns about the other parent’s alcohol use.
The court may order both parents to complete a Child Custody Fitness Assessment. During the evaluation, the evaluator may review the parent’s history, conduct clinical assessments, and gather additional information.
If the evaluation identifies a substance use concern, the evaluator may recommend an appropriate treatment program.
If the parent completes the recommended program and there are no other significant concerns affecting parental fitness, the court may consider that progress when making its custody decision.
This illustrates why a custody evaluation is not simply about finding fault with one parent. The purpose is to provide the court with relevant information that can help determine an arrangement that protects the child’s welfare and safety.
Why Choose AACS Atlanta for a Child Custody Evaluation?
A custody dispute can be difficult for everyone involved, especially when an evaluation has been ordered by the court.
AACS Atlanta provides professional child custody evaluations conducted by licensed behavioral health professionals with experience working with courts, families, and legal professionals.
The evaluation process is structured to gather relevant information and provide a professional report based on the circumstances of the case.
AACS Atlanta offers:
- Professional child custody evaluations
- Virtual and in-person options
- Secure telehealth appointments
- Same-day and next-day appointment options
- English and Spanish services
- Flexible payment options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a child custody evaluation in Georgia?
A child custody evaluation is a psychological evaluation used to assess a parent’s ability to care for their child. A Georgia court may order an evaluation as part of a custody dispute, termination of parental rights case, custody modification, or DFCS matter.
Who conducts a child custody evaluation?
Child custody evaluations are conducted by appropriately qualified professionals. AACS Atlanta provides evaluations for courts, families, and legal professionals.
Do both parents have to participate?
In many cases, a court may order both parents to participate in the evaluation. The circumstances of each case determine what participation is required.
Can my child be interviewed?
Yes. Depending on the child’s age and the circumstances of the case, the child may be interviewed to understand their emotional well-being, relationship with each parent, and age-appropriate preferences.
Can substance use affect custody?
Yes. Current or past substance use may be considered during the evaluation. However, substance use does not automatically mean that a parent will lose custody. The evaluator considers the overall circumstances and may recommend treatment or other services when appropriate.
What happens if I refuse a court-ordered evaluation?
Refusing to participate in a court-ordered evaluation may negatively affect your case. If you have concerns about the evaluation, discuss them with your attorney and follow the court’s instructions.
Is a child custody evaluation confidential?
The evaluation is conducted with appropriate professional privacy protections, but because it is part of a legal process, the resulting report may be provided to the court and other relevant parties.
Can I complete the evaluation virtually?
AACS Atlanta offers secure virtual child custody assessments through telehealth. Virtual appointments may be available depending on the circumstances and requirements of the case.
How much does a child custody evaluation cost at AACS Atlanta?
AACS Atlanta offers child custody evaluations for $600. Flexible payment and financing options may be available.
Could I need another evaluation?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, a court or DFCS may also require an alcohol and drug evaluation or a mental health assessment. AACS Atlanta provides these evaluation services as well.
Schedule a Child Custody Evaluation in Georgia
If a Georgia court has ordered you to complete a child custody evaluation, understanding the process can make the next steps easier.
AACS Atlanta provides professional child custody evaluations with virtual and in-person options. Same-day and next-day appointments may be available, along with English and Spanish services.
Call AACS Atlanta at 800-683-7745 to schedule your evaluation.
