A child custody evaluation is a process by which the court appoints a mental health professional (such as a psychologist) who evaluates both parents and the child and makes a recommendation to the court regarding custody and visitation arrangements in the best interest of the child. Child custody evaluations are common in divorce and other child custody litigation.
In Texas, a child custody evaluation is a legal process that may be ordered by the court in cases involving disputes over child custody and visitation. This process is governed by the Texas Family Code, which outlines the procedures and standards for conducting custody evaluations. The court may appoint a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, to carry out the evaluation. The evaluator's role is to assess the needs of the child, the parenting abilities of each parent, and other relevant factors to determine what would be in the best interest of the child. The evaluator will typically conduct interviews, observations, and may use psychological testing as part of the assessment. After completing the evaluation, the mental health professional will provide a report to the court with recommendations regarding custody and visitation arrangements. The court will consider this report, along with other evidence, when making a final decision on custody and visitation issues.
