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- Title
Models and methods of cost‐effective child custody evaluation.
- Authors
Robb, Aaron
- Abstract
Child custody evaluations (CCEs) are often seen as a necessity by the legal system when caregivers cannot find a resolution to their child custody disputes. In many instances, these evaluations are quite costly for the litigants and cost can act as a barrier to equal access to justice. Affluent families are better able to access private evaluators while families with lesser means may encounter delays in receiving services or be unable to afford an evaluation at all. This can, in turn, prolong resolution of league disputes, increasing the emotional toll on families, and hamper courts in making decisions in the best interests of the children involved. This article examines models of providing CCEs outside of an isolated individual provider private practice format. It examines the benefits and considerations for lower‐cost evaluations, while discussing how to maintain high quality services that adequately assess family systems. Broader issues that impact the courts and overall access to justice through offering cost effective evaluations are also discussed. Key points for the family court community: Creating just and equitable processes is a key guiding principle in the AFCC Guidelines, along with balancing thoroughness with the avoidance of unintended harm, and informed practice that incorporates the best available social sciences.Using different models to address local needs, many evaluators and agencies provide cost‐effective Child Custody Evaluations to their communities while following the AFCC Guidelines.Addressing easily foreseen issues can improve efficiency and affordability of Child Custody Evaluations in communities.More elaborate evaluations are not necessarily better and can lead to unnecessary time and costs for litigants.Various training approaches with child custody evaluators can increase availability of services for families and reduce costs of entry for evaluators to the field.All family court professionals–evaluators, attorneys, and judges–must actively work together to ensure access to justice for families needing evaluation services.
- Subjects
CUSTODY of children; EMOTIONS; DECISION making; COURT administration; JUVENILE courts
- Publication
Family Court Review, 2023, Vol 61, Issue 4, p703
- ISSN
1531-2445
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/fcre.12755