Understanding Illinois Child Custody Evaluations

 Posted on September 05, 2024 in Child Custody

The allocation of parental responsibilities during a divorce is often one of the most contentious, stressful parts of the process. Both parents may want more time with the child, or they may be unable to put together a parenting plan that works for all those involved. The family court standard is in the best interests of the child, and while parents want what is best for their child, they may be unable to be objective about what that looks like. Child custody evaluations may be ordered, or one parent may request an evaluation.

These custody evaluations can play a pivotal role in custody decisions as courts generally give them considerable weight. If a custody evaluation is a part of your allocation of parental responsibilities, it can be extremely helpful to speak to an experienced Wheaton, IL child custody attorney from Andrew Cores Family Law Group. Attorney Andrew Cores is currently a Fellow for the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and will zealously work on your behalf to ensure the best outcome possible.

What Is a Child Custody Evaluation?

A child custody evaluation involves an evaluator – usually a psychologist or psychiatrist – who studies the parents and the child in order to provide an official custody recommendation to the court. There are three specific types of Illinois child custody evaluations:

• A 604.10(b) is the standard court-ordered evaluation that assists the judge in making decisions regarding parenting time and parenting responsibilities.

• A 604.10(c) is an evaluation ordered by a parent who has an issue with the 604.10(b) evaluator. When a parent requests a 604.10(c) evaluation, they select the evaluator and pay all the costs.

• A 215 evaluation investigates the physical or mental fitness of a parent.

A child custody evaluation gives the court a more complete picture of the circumstances of each family. The goal is to try to find the best parenting arrangements for the child. A custody evaluation is particularly helpful in situations where there are claims of domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, a child with special needs, questionable parenting choices, or a parent who wants to move out of state.

What Happens During a Child Custody Evaluation?

A child custody evaluation can last weeks or even months. The evaluator needs to get a good sense of the parent-child dynamics and how well the parents work together for the good of the child. The child and parents are often interviewed separately, and each family member may be required to undergo psychological testing.

The evaluator may want to observe the family interactions in the home and may even interview teachers, doctors, relatives, and friends of each family member. The parents and child will likely have multiple interviews. The parents may be asked for personal health documents, and while a parent can refuse, the judge can order the parent to supply those documents.

How Important is a Child Custody Evaluation in the Determination of Custody?

The evaluator may specifically watch for instances of parental alienation on the part of one or both parents. If the evaluator finds evidence of parental alienation, individual or family counseling may be ordered. The results of a child custody evaluation are incredibly important in determining the final allocation of parental responsibilities. The evaluator will submit a report to the judge detailing the strengths and weaknesses of each parent.  

The evaluator may make specific recommendations regarding parenting time and the allocation of parental responsibilities. It is rare for a judge to deviate from the evaluator’s recommendations. Parents who are going through a custody evaluation should use their attorney as a valuable resource so they can fully understand the process.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Child Custody Attorney

When you choose an experienced Wheaton, IL child custody lawyer from Andrew Cores Family Law Group, we will help ensure your parenting plan and allocation of parental responsibilities work for all involved now and as circumstances change. Our attorneys comprehensively investigate and analyze each case so we are well prepared for any eventuality. This allows us to effectively advocate on your behalf. Contact Andrew Cores Family Law Group at 630-871-1002 to schedule your free consultation.