Colorado Springs Child Custody Lawyer Offers 7 Ways to Prepare for a Custody Evaluation

If you are involved in a child custody case in Colorado, chances are you may be subjected to a custody evaluation.  A Colorado Springs child custody lawyer can help you prepare for this, and give you the legal advice you need to succeed.

Custody evaluations are conducted by psychologists or social workers who work for the state of Colorado.  Their job is to assess your family situation and make a professional evaluation to help the court decide what is in your child’s best interests.  Historically, judges have allowed the custody evaluation to play an important role in their decisions, so it is important to prepare yourself adequately before the evaluation begins. 

1. Be sure you arrive promptly for your evaluation interview and dress conservatively and neatly. 

2. Tell the truth when you answer the evaluator’s questions.  They are very likely to check out your statements to prove their validity.  This is especially true if your evaluator uses psychological testing methods, since these are designed to detect dishonesty and defensiveness.

3. Avoid exaggerations and overly embellished statements.  It is okay to show emotion, and show nervousness when you are being interviewed, just be certain to answer the evaluator’s questions directly and stick to the issues at hand.

4. If you don’t understand the question you are being asked, feel free to ask for clarification. However, if the evaluator requests additional information, try to provide it to them as quickly as possible and remain in communication with the evaluator if you run into any problems.

5. If your evaluator asks for names of people that they can contact for character references, it is a good idea to inform these people before they are contacted.

6. Do not, under any circumstances, use your evaluation as an opportunity to undermine or insult your partner’s parenting abilities, and never make any threatening comments about your spouse/partner or any other party involved in the custody case.

7. When your evaluation is complete, don’t bother the custody evaluator with phone calls or drop by without an appointment.  If you need further clarification on a question or you are providing requested background information, that is fine.  Just avoid calling to ask if the report is complete.  Your attorney will take care of this for you. 

As you can see, legal counsel is a must if your case involves a custody evaluation.  If you need advice on how to prepare for this process, consult with a Colorado Springs child custody lawyer. 

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Law Firm, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Law Firm is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.

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