• General Topics
  
• Dissolution of Marriage
  
• Custody, Visitation & Child Support
  

The Court may, in its discretion, order a custody evaluation. In a custody evaluation, the Court assigns a private psychologist or mental health expert to make custody determinations and to provide recommendations to the Court. However, the mental health expert is not employed by the Court. The mental health provider may provide for psychological testing of the parents. They may obtain documents from the parties and other sources (prior counseling records, criminal records, etc.). They may interview the parties and children more often. They may contact people involved in the children's lives. They may determine whether one of the parties is attempting to alienate the children against the other party. Sometimes a private custody evaluation may be more helpful. One or both of the parents must pay for a private custody evaluation. The costs may be divided equally between the parties, or may be divided in some other proportion. Occasionally, one party is required to pay for the entirety of the custody evaluation.