Custody Evaluation
If you and your parenting partner are unable to reach agreement about custody and parenting time, the Court may require you to engage the services of a Custody Evaluator (CE) to help the Court decide custody and parenting time.
A CE will take time to learn about you, your children and your unique circumstances and needs. A child’s best interests are defined by Minnesota law. A parent’s opinion about what arrangements best serve a child’s best interests may or may not be consistent with the law. Click here for Minnesota’s Best Interests Factors.
Once the evaluator’s investigation work is complete, they will make verbal and/or written recommendations about custody and parenting time based on the best interests of your children. Custody Evaluator’s recommendations are not legal binding, however, the Court often relies heavily on a CE’s recommendations. Cases often settle after a CE’s recommendations are received. Custody Evaluators are selected by the parties (and their attorneys) and appointed by Court Order. A full custody evaluation takes 3 to 6 months to complete.
Would you like to get clearer on your life, relationships, health or career goals? Request a complimentary 30-minute discovery session now!