A child custody evaluation is a process by which the court appoints a mental health professional (such as a psychologist) who evaluates both parents and the child and makes a recommendation to the court regarding custody and visitation arrangements in the best interest of the child. Child custody evaluations are common in divorce and other child custody litigation.
In Arizona, a child custody evaluation is a formal assessment conducted by a court-appointed mental health professional, typically when parents are unable to agree on custody arrangements during a divorce or custody dispute. The evaluator's role is to assess the family situation, the parenting capabilities of each parent, and the needs of the child to make a recommendation to the court that reflects the child's best interests. The evaluation process may include interviews with each parent and the child, home visits, and reviews of relevant documents. The evaluator's report is then used by the court to make informed decisions regarding legal decision-making authority (formerly known as 'custody') and parenting time (formerly known as 'visitation'). Arizona law prioritizes the child's welfare, and the court will consider the evaluator's findings along with other factors outlined in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 25-403 when making a final determination on custody arrangements.