Custody Evaluations
In many divorce cases, parents are able to work together to create a custody agreement without needing to go to court. These agreements are often reached through mediation or informal negotiation, allowing both parties to make collaborative decisions about their child’s care. However, when parents are unable to come to an agreement on their own, the court may step in and order a child custody evaluation to help determine what arrangement would best serve the child’s needs.
A child custody evaluation is a formal assessment conducted by a trained professional—often a counselor or psychologist—who gathers information about each parent, the child, and the family dynamic. The evaluator’s role is to remain neutral while assessing the emotional, psychological, and developmental needs of the child. At our Sioux Falls counseling center, the custody evaluator will meet individually with each parent and child, observe interactions, and gather relevant background information. This thorough process helps the evaluator understand the child's environment and ensure that no undue influence or pressure is being placed on the child to speak or act in a certain way.
The final product of the evaluation is a detailed written report summarizing the evaluator’s findings. This report often includes recommendations about which parent should have custody and why, based on what is in the best interest of the child. The judge may consider this report when making a final custody determination. While the process can be emotionally challenging, it is designed to protect the child and support the healthiest possible outcome for the family.
Visitation Evaluations
When one parent has the children the majority of the time following a divorce or separation, that parent is typically awarded sole physical custody. This means the child primarily lives with that parent. The other parent is generally granted the right to spend scheduled time with the child, a legal arrangement referred to as "visitation" or "parenting time." These visits are meant to ensure that the child maintains a meaningful relationship with both parents, even if they do not share equal custody.
In cases where there is disagreement or concern about how visitation should be structured, the court may order a visitation evaluation. This evaluation is conducted by a neutral professional, such as a custody evaluator at our Sioux Falls counseling center, who carefully examines the family situation and provides insight into what arrangement would best support the child’s well-being.
A visitation evaluation includes a comprehensive report that outlines the evaluator’s findings and recommendations for parenting time. The evaluator will meet individually with both parents and the child to understand each person’s perspective, assess family dynamics, and ensure that all parties—especially the child—feel safe and comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns. The goal is to create a visitation plan that supports the child’s emotional health while fostering strong, stable relationships with both parents. This report can serve as an important resource for the court when determining an appropriate and balanced parenting time schedule.