Custody and Parenting Evaluations

A child custody evaluation is designed to assess the parenting skills and suitability of each respective parent in the best interests of the child(ren). Most parenting evaluations occur within the context of divorce proceedings and are initiated by at least one of the parents, though usually requested by the parent's lawyer. However, parenting evaluations can also be ordered by the court regardless of whether the divorcing parties view such an assessment as necessary. Most often, either one or both of the respective lawyers put forth a motion asking the court to order parents to undergo an evaluation. Parents must pay the entire cost of a custody and access evaluation prior to the commencement of the assessment. The assessment will not begin until both parties have submitted payment. Parenting evaluations are also conducted within the context of child welfare and guardianship cases, with similar questions regarding parenting skills and suitability of the parent(s). In such cases, the referring party is often the one that foots the bill (e.g., Child and Family Services).

Unlike other types of psychological assessments, the presence of a mental disorder is not the primary issue, despite each caregiver's psychological functioning being an important part of a custody evaluation. It should be noted that a diagnosis of a mental disorder does not mean that the person is unfit to be a parent. In most cases, a parent is simply encouraged to seek appropriate treatment and support. Psychological functioning is considered an issue only when it impacts the individual's ability to engage in appropriate parenting that is in the best interests of the child(ren). Additionally, anyone who will have regular contact and the possibility of care for a child may be subject to assessment, including romantic partners, grandparents, and other extended family members. Parents' current psychological functioning and parenting abilities are the primary focus of the custody evaluation. However, given that the best determinant of future behavior is past behavior parents' history also plays a large role.

NOTE: In general, all contact between the psychologist and parents should be done in writing. Although the psychologist will document any telephone conversations, parents should be strongly encouraged to put comments and communications in writing. Lawyers may contact us directly.

Please contact us if you require further information or would like to refer your client to a psychologist for an assessment.

Calgary: (403) 313-8309
Vancouver: 1-877-313-8309
You can also contact us by e-mail.

Custody and parenting evaluations require additional information that is not necessary for other psychological assessments. Please refer to the section on Comprehensive Psychological Assessments for this more general information. The following provides a brief overview of the specific information gathered in the custody and parenting evaluation process:

1. Documentation
Many parenting evaluations are delayed as a result of the individual failing to provide the psychologist with the appropriate documentation. Sometimes this is simply due to a slow response by the party from whom the parent has requested information. We provide individuals with a list of documentation that will be required for the evaluation prior to their initial interview so that they can begin to request it as soon as possible. All relevant documentation should be submitted. Thus, if the parent or his or her lawyer believes that a document is important it should be requested or, at the very least, its relevance discussed with the evaluating psychologist. The parenting evaluation process will go more smoothly and with fewer delays if these documents are organized prior to being submitted to the psychologist. This is done by listing each document on a coversheet and placing the documents in a binder with numbered dividers between documents that correspond to the coversheet listing. Parents should be encouraged to make a copy of all documentation for themselves and for their lawyer. Additional documents can be submitted later, but the more complete and organized the better.

Similar documentation will be required on each dependent child, especially health care files including psychological records, academic reports, Child and Family Services reports and any youth court records. Such information can sometimes be pertinent to providing recommendations regarding placement when there is a question of "best fit" between a parent and a child. These documents should be organized in a similar manner separately for each child.

NOTE: Relevant documentation also includes information regarding the opposing parent. For example, if the other parent has been in drug rehabilitation several times the evaluating psychologist should be informed of such so that these documents can be requested. It can also be prudent for your client to document post-separation conversations and financial transactions.

2. Psychosocial and Parenting History
Parents and other caregivers are provided with forms that allow them to provide details regarding their personal history, including physical and mental health, childhood and family of origin, academic, vocational, military, legal, and social and romantic relationship history. It is helpful when clients refer to documentation with regard to certain historical details, such as contacts with therapists. Additionally, parents are asked to provide information regarding their child(ren)’s history. These forms need to be submitted to the psychologist prior to the interview with sufficient time for review. Failing to do so will result in further cost and delay as a subsequent interview will be needed to discuss these details.

NOTE: Your client should be encouraged to provide all relevant details and certainly been encouraged not to leave out any information. It is always better when your client acknowledges past problems and misdeeds as opposed to the opposing parent bringing such information to light. Doing so allows the parent an opportunity to discuss and clarify these details.  At the same time, parents should not overwhelm the psychologist with irrelevant details. Often a short explanation with a note requesting further discussion is sufficient. However, there should be a response for every question even if it is simply “N/A” as opposed to leaving a blank.

3. Interviews
Interviews will be conducted with each caregiver and involve a review of the person's psychosocial and parenting history, as well as an evaluation of the individual's parenting style and skills and a diagnostic interview with respect to previous and current mental illness. As previously noted, it is important for your client to be honest and not only because the opposing parent will likely provide details that your client may be less willing to reveal, but also because our psychologists are well-trained in detecting deception. It is often assumed that the parent who is interviewed first will be in the best position to provide his or her side of the story, thus slanting the psychologist's opinion. However, we provide subsequent interviews to allow each parent to address issues raised by the other party, as well as to address questions derived from the parent's responses on psychological tests. It is preferable that all interviews be conducted in person.

Interviews will also be conducted with anyone who will be spending a substantial amount of time caring for children. These individuals may include grandparents and potential stepparents.

Of course, a great deal of information will be gathered about each child, including temperament and personality, response to discipline, physical and mental health history, sibling relationships, developmental milestones, social and intellectual development, academic performance and any special needs. Interviews will also be conducted with each child of sufficient developmental maturity. An interview is conducted with each child without the parent present to avoid the parent influencing the child's responses unintentionally or otherwise. However, younger children often require some time with the psychologist in the parent's presence prior to conducting this interview and, depending on the child(ren)’s maturity and the quality of the sibling relationship, sometimes siblings are initially interviewed together to provide them with a certain level of mutual support. The interview includes an evaluation of the child's relationship with each parent and the child's perceptions of the family situation.  The child’s expressed preferences will be noted, but no direct query is made regarding parental preference. The interview will also include an assessment of the extent to which a parent has coached a child's responses. Additionally, a diagnostic evaluation is conducted when appropriate. Children are usually interviewed more than once, with each parent having brought the child to at least one interview. Younger children may also be interviewed, though in the presence of each parent at different times.

4. Parent-Child Observation
Direct observation of parents interacting with their child(ren) is an extremely important part of the evaluation, as it provides the psychologist with an objective understanding of the parent-child relationship. Each parent is asked to spend time with their children, usually engaged in play. Depending on some of the issues raised thus far in the evaluation process, the parent may be asked to play with each child separately and/or play with all children together. Home visits are often an important part of parenting evaluations, though the necessity of home observation is determined by the psychologist and issues raised in the process of the assessment.

5. Psychological Testing
Each caregiver is administered a battery of psychological tests in order to provide an extensive evaluation of psychopathology, and personality, as well as parenting style, knowledge, and skills. Data is also gathered regarding a parent's ability to provide an appropriate developmental environment for each child. Parents complete personality inventories and parenting questionnaires that are commonly accepted. Intelligence and academic testing may be necessary when questions have been raised regarding a parent's ability to provide an adequate intellectual environment for the child. Children also undergo testing as deemed appropriate, especially when issues are raised regarding the presence of a mental disorder or special needs resulting from developmental delays or giftedness.

NOTE: As much as possible parallel testing procedures are used with each parent. Specifically, the tests administered to one parent must also be administered to the other parent in order for conclusions and recommendations to be considered impartial. Any deviations from parallel procedures will be justified by the psychologist based on current research in assessment methodology and the best interests of the child(ren).

6. Collaterals:
Your client will be asked to provide a list of all collaterals that he or she would like the psychologist to contact. These often include employers, friends and family members, as well as others who can speak to each parent's character and parenting abilities. If a child has been seen by a counselor or therapist, these individuals may also be contacted to provide information regarding parents and the child's needs. In short, collaterals can include individuals that can speak to your clients' positive character traits, as well as the opposing parent's alleged character flaws. It should be noted that collaterals are often contacted late in the process, though prior to a final interview with each parent. As such, parents should not be concerned if collaterals have not yet been contacted. We try to contact all collaterals on each parent's list and do our best to inform parents if we have not been able to reach collaterals after repeated attempts.

7. Custody and Parenting Reports
Similar to any other Comprehensive Psychological Assessment, information is integrated into a report, which is then submitted to the respective lawyers. A meeting is usually held with the psychologist with each party's lawyer present in order to discuss the conclusions and recommendations.

Please contact us if you require further information or would like to refer your client to a psychologist for an assessment.

Calgary: (403) 313-8309
Vancouver: 1-877-313-8309
You can also contact us by e-mail.