A Child Custody Evaluation is not counseling, parenting coordination, marriage counseling, or any other counseling or non-counseling role. Specifically, a Child Custody Evaluation is an evaluative process to assist the court in deciding as to the best interest of a child(ren).
When conducting a Custody Evaluation, the goal is to assess the ways in which each parent contributes to the physical, emotional and social development of the children in question. The role of any professional conducting a child custody evaluation involves neutrality and transparency. Evaluators should always strive to serve impartially, never as an advocate for one parent or the other. In the end the goal is to make recommendations to the court as to how both parents can best meet the needs and interests of the children involved