What happens if custody is disputed?
The Courts generally prefer to rely on expert testimony when making custody orders. The Court may order a 730 Evaluation. In a 730 Evaluation, a mental health care professional conducts a battery of tests on the parties, conducts interviews with both parents, children, and collateral witnesses. The expert may also draw on other confidential information and sources to assist them. The evaluator will generate a report with his recommendations as to who shall have primary custodial care among other things. The report can be ordered by the Court or agreed to between the parties, many custody disputes are resolved in conjunction with the recommendations made by the expert.
