Get CA FL-326 2011-2024

A child custody evaluation is an investigation of your child's health, safety, welfare, and best interests by a trained mental health professional (an evaluator).

Licensing Requirements Private child custody evaluators must either be licensed as a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, physician who is board-certified as a psychiatrist or be a licensed physician who has completed a residency in psychiatry.

If you and your child's other parent cannot agree on a parenting plan, the judge can order a child custody evaluation. Usually, parents pay a fee for the service.

Section 3111 provides that the court may appoint a child custody evaluator to conduct an evaluation when the Court needs more information on ruling on what is in a child's best interest.

A 730 evaluation can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000. It depends on what issues need to be evaluated and what procedures the evaluator uses. Courts can order parties to split the cost and can re-allocate the cost at the end of the evaluation.

Custody evaluations, when ordered by the Court and conducted by an evaluator, are charged at the set fee of $1,200.00. Generally, each party pays half of the cost ($600.00). If a custody evaluation is ordered, the Court will make a determination as to the parties' ability to pay.