Child Custody Evaluations
East Texas Counties
A child custody evaluation is a court-ordered, neutral evaluation, designed to provide the court with information about a child's needs, family relationships, home environments, and other factors relevant to decisions about conservatorship, possession, and access. In Texas, these evaluations are governed by Chapter 107, Subchapter D of the Texas Family Code and may include interviews with parents and children, observations of parent-child interactions, review of relevant records and collateral information, and other elements ordered by the court.
My role as an evaluator is not to take sides or advocate for either parent. My responsibility is to approach each family objectively, gather information from multiple sources, and provide the court with a thorough, balanced report focused on the best interests and needs of the child.
Please note: Child custody evaluations are conducted only after I have received a signed court order appointing me as the child custody evaluator. Evaluations are completed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Texas Family Code, Chapter 107, Subchapter D.
Further noted: Some portions of a child custody evaluation may be completed virtually when clinically and procedurally appropriate, however not all components of the evaluation can be conducted remotely.
For this reason, I primarily accept child custody evaluations in Camp, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Titus, Upshur and Wood counties. Evaluations in other counties may be considered on a case-by-case basis; however additional travel requirements may increase the overall cost of the evaluation.
Giving Children a Voice
My primary goal as a custody evaluator is ensuring that children have an opportunity to be heard without being placed in the middle of adults' conflict. Texas law specifically requires developmentally appropriate interview with children age four and older as a basic element of a custody evaluation, when applicable.
Children often experience family changes differently than the adults around them, and their thoughts, feelings, relationships, routines, and sense of safety matter. I believe a child deserves a space where they can speak openly in a manner appropriate for their age and development; without feeling responsible for choosing a parent or determining the outcome of a case.
The goal is not to ask a child, "who do you want to live with?". The goal is to understand the child's world as completely as possible so that their experiences and needs are represented alongside all of the other information considered in the evaluation.