What is a Child Custody Investigation?
A child custody investigation can be ordered by the Court itself, on its own motion, or by request of either party. An investigation is often made where either parent reports child neglect, child abuse, severe alcoholism or drug use. In these cases, a Probation Custody Investigator who-is an arm of the Court, will make an investigation and report the results to the Court in the form of a written Probation Report. A child custody investigation is started when both parents’ separately fill out a detailed questionnaire. The questionnaire includes the marital and court history, both parents personal history, the present circumstances of the marriage, and a listing of both parties’ witnesses. Each party can name three witnesses whom custody investigator will interview before preparing the written report. The questionnaire also discusses the children’s background, including their health and schooling. Usually, the Court gives the parties a deadline for turning in this Questionnaire. There ar
In Orange County the mediations department is sometimes called upon by the court to conduct either an emergency child custody investigation or a regular child custody investigation. The results of either one of these investigation will be made to the court, usually in writing but often orally (emergency) and may contain recommendations concerning custody.
