Evaluating the Evaluators: Research-based Guidance for Attorneys Regarding Custody Evaluations in Cases Involving Domestic Abuse

Abstract

This article is meant to help attorneys understand the qualifications required of custody evaluators in intimate partner violence (IPV) cases and to assess the quality of evaluation reports. It provides research based guidance for judging the qualifications of custody evaluators and their reports, including evaluators’ assessment methods, education, means of bias reduction, and professional backgrounds. Improving the quality of custody evaluations in IPV cases is likely to lead to increased safety of all family members. and well-being for all family members