Broward County: Working With Child Custody Evaluators

Particularly in high-conflict cases, the engagement of a child custody evaluator can be an exceedingly effective asset in presenting your case. Although the opinions in a child custody evaluator's report are not binding on the court, it can be persuasive. The experienced Broward County child custody attorneys at Giunta & House, P.A., work with psychologists, investigators, child custody evaluators and guardians ad litem in order to build the most effective case supporting your rights as a parent.

Since 1991 family law attorney Stuart House has been assisting parents with their child custody and visitation issues. Contact us online or call 954.928.0100 to schedule a consultation.

The Value of Custody Evaluators

Child custody evaluators ensure the court has a full understanding of all the relevant facts in your case. Attorney Stuart House strongly encourages his clients to assist in this process by being honest, cooperative and forthright, rather than solely trying to cast a negative light on the other party. Oftentimes parties that continually bash the other party are held under additional scrutiny and face potential alienation claims.

A custody evaluator will contact all the parties and third-party individuals such as teachers, friends, relatives, doctors and other parties the child has come into contact with and issue a report to the court based on his or her findings. The judge in the particular case will vest greater or lesser weight on the report depending on his or her own discretion. Costs are typically divided between the parties pro rata based upon their respective incomes as reflected in their financial affidavits.

In Florida, a custody evaluator can be either a guardian ad litem or social investigator. Social investigators must have a mental health background. In order to qualify, a social investigator must be a licensed psychologist, clinical social worker, mental health counselor or marriage/family therapist. A guardian ad litem does not have to have the same mental health background and can be an attorney acting in a non-attorney role. However, if an attorney is a guardian ad litem, hearsay limitations do apply under the rules of evidence. This is why social investigators are generally preferable because they are not subject to hearsay limitations.

Contact Us for Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Evaluations

For more information about how we can assist with your child custody situation and how child custody evaluators can add value to your case, contact us online or call 954.928.0100 to reach a skilled child custody and parental evaluation lawyer.

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