A 730 evaluation, also known as a Child Custody evaluation, is an examination into the mental health and parenting styles of one or both of the parents in a custody case. While a judge is the one that can order this evaluation, the other parent will be able to request the evaluation.
PARENTAL REPONSIBILITY AND BEST INTEREST OF CHILD
There may be some instances where the child’s best interests are called into question and the court needs to determine whether the child is receiving proper care. Parental Responsibility and time-sharing schedules can be altered based on the findings of this evaluation.
730 evaluations may be required in situations involving:
- Child abuse concerns
- Substance abuse questions
- Mental health issues
- One parent objects to the other parent relocating outside of the State of Florida
- Both or either parent engaging in questionable parenting habits
- Inability to reach a consensus on an appropriate time-sharing schedule
- Concerns about the child’s parental guidance and control
In order to address such concerns, interviews, observations, testing, a review of outside documents, and a home study are diagnostic tools often used. The results would be assessed by evaluators.
The evaluation will be completed by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and family therapists. A report based on their findings will be prepared and submitted to the court for consideration. If both parties agree the report can be used as evidence. If one parent disagrees with the findings, they are able to challenge the findings by bringing in another professional to review the case.
Court always seeks to involve both of the parents in the life of their child, but will only do so after determining such level of involvement is in the child’s best interests. Courts can use a 703 evaluation contents to conclude a child’s best interests would be served with a different time-sharing and/or custodial arrangement, the custody and time-sharing agreements can be altered to reflect this information.
