FAQ for Child Custody Evaluations

Please call or email to check my availability before agreeing for me to be the evaluator as I am frequently too busy to accept additional evaluations.

Are you on the Los Angeles Superior Court Child Custody Evaluator Referral List?
Yes.  I have been on the panel since it was formed in 2001.

What is the difference between the Comprehensive or Full Evaluation and a Brief Assessment, also known as a Solution Focused Evaluation, that JoAnne Feigin does?
A Comprehensive Evaluation includes multiple interviews with each parent and the children, one interview with each step-parent or each parents’ new partner, and home visits.  There is usually extensive information gathered from individuals who know the family, such as teachers, pediatricians, therapists, etc. (referred to as Collateral Contacts).  There is some psychological testing.  The information is summarized in a thorough written report which is provided to the Court and the attorneys, or clients themselves if self-represented.  Parties may request JoAnne Feigin to appear in Court.  Evaluations are generally completed in 12 to 16 weeks from receipt of the materials, although they may be completed sooner when needed.

A Brief Assessment or Solution Focused Evaluation includes interviews with the parents and children at my office during a half day.  There may or may not be brief office interviews with step parents or new partners.  There are no home visits.  I consider written information from collateral contacts and a review of the legal file provided by the parents or their attorneys.  However, there is generally not enough time to independently speak with collaterals to gather information.  Depending on the needs of the family and the Court’s availability, the recommendations may be summarized in a very brief list, provided in a meeting with the parents and their attorneys, or more typically, provided by testifying in Court, during one half day session.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of evaluation and how do I know which evaluation would be right for my children?
A Brief Assessment or Solution Focused Evaluation provides a snapshot of your family in a faster, more cost effective manner than a Comprehensive Evaluation. A Brief Assessment/Solution Focused Evaluation generally costs a half to three quarters of the cost of a Full or Comprehensive Evaluation. It may, depending on the Court’s calendar, be heard quicker.  If the parents are in agreement about what has occurred but disagree about a parenting plan, a Solution Focused Evaluation may provide sufficient information.  In situations in which the parents do not agree as to significant facts, a Comprehensive Evaluation where the Evaluator can investigate critical issues from collateral contacts and have multiple interviews with family members may be necessary to have a thorough understanding of what parenting plan would best serve the children’s needs.

A Comprehensive Evaluation may be analogous to seeing a movie about your family which tells the story, while a Brief Assessment or Solution Focused Evaluation may provide a snapshot to address particular issues.

Where is your office located?
My office is 2512 Artesia Boulevard Suite 305C, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. View Map

How often will I have to come to your office?
Each family is unique and my procedures may vary in response to your family’s needs. Generally, I meet with you once at my office. I also may conduct some interviews remotely such as via Zoom.

Do you do home visits?
Yes.  For a Comprehensive Evaluation, I visit each home in most cases.  I find the children are sometimes more comfortable and authentic when interviewed in their homes, rather than in an office.

What does a Comprehensive Child Custody Evaluation cost?
The cost of an evaluation depends on the amount of time spent in getting to know your family thoroughly. A $3,000 deposit is required to start. Usually, the court will decide, or the parents will agree, how to split the cost of the evaluation. The average comprehensive child custody evaluation that I conduct in Los Angeles County is between $9,000 and $11,000.

Will you see through the other parent’s lies/deviousness/charm?
A significant part of the Comprehensive Child Custody Evaluation process is gathering information and investigating what has actually occurred.

Do you offer free consultations?
For child custody matters that have been or are going to be filed in Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern or Orange County Courts, I am available by phone to help you decide if I would be suitable for your family’s situation.

Do you do psychological testing?
For a Brief or Comprehensive Child Custody Evaluation, the parents and their significant others typically complete the MMPI – 2, which is a questionnaire that can provide some insight into psychological functioning and information on how people might respond to situations in life.

What information should I provide to the evaluator?
In addition to completing the information in the parent packet (the Child Custody Questionnaire containing the Signed Release of Information and Stipulation) please provide: (1) copies of declarations filed with the court, (2) court orders, (3) any information that will help the evaluator understand your children’s needs and your situation, and (4) documentation that substantiates what you want to tell the evaluator, or challenges to the allegations raised by the other parent.

Will you evaluate just me and my child?
I do not assess only one side of a case or make recommendations without a complete assessment of the whole family.  If there is a court order or stipulation from both parents for me to interview only the child, I can conduct child interviews.

Do you work with preschoolers?  What about elementary school children and teenagers?
Yes.  I am an expert in child development and relate to children of all ages on their level.

Who do you consider ‘the family’ in selecting which people to interview?
Every family is unique.  For a Comprehensive Evaluation, I generally interview household members in both homes, along with prospective family members, such as girlfriends or boyfriends who are very likely to move in. For Brief or Solution Focused Evaluations, I generally interview just the parents, children and some household members.

My child is shy.  How will you get him/her to talk with you?
I try to put children at ease by playing and relating to them on their level.  For a Comprehensive Evaluation, I typically interview children at their homes where their toys are present.  For a Brief or Solution Focused Evaluation, I only interview the children in my office. While I have some toys and art materials for them, I recommend that the parents bring a couple of the child’s favorite toys.

My child is being brainwashed by the other parent.  How will you know if what they tell you is the truth?
As an experienced evaluator, I have ways of understanding the information children provide, in the context of the facts I gather.

Should I tell the evaluator about mistakes I have made?
It is better to be open, honest and candid with the evaluator.  If the other parent raises issues or the evaluator finds out that you have not been honest or candid, you may lose credibility.  I understand that no one is perfect, and you do not have to always behave perfectly to be a wonderful parent to your children.

How long does a child custody evaluation take?
From the moment I receive the required parent child custody questionnaires, signed stipulations, and deposits, a Comprehensive Evaluation is generally completed in 16 to 20 weeks. If there is an urgent matter, please contact my office at (310) 376-2047 regarding my availability for completing the child custody evaluation sooner.  Brief or Solution Focused Evaluations are generally completed in 12 to 16 weeks.

What happens when the Comprehensive Child Custody Evaluation is completed?
Typically, I simultaneously send a written report to the Court and to the attorneys or the parents themselves if self- represented, at least ten days prior to the hearing date.  The report will summarize the information gathered, and contain my assessment and recommendations.  Once the child custody evaluation report is released, the parents can consider the information and consult with their attorneys or other advisors.  At that point, they may want to mediate a parenting plan with the assistance of their attorneys, private mediators or the Court’s mediation service.  In Los Angeles County, this is handled by Family Court Services (213-974-5524). Since Family Court Services is very busy, it is preferable to make an appointment in advance for the week of the scheduled court date to try and ensure Family Court Services’ availability.  Mediation though Family Court Services is offered at no cost.  If the parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, they will have an opportunity to present their concerns to the Court.

What does the Court do with the report?
After receiving the report into evidence, the Court generally gives significant consideration and weight to the information contained in the report.  The Judge is free to consider the data and opinions in the report, along with any other evidence offered, and come to the same or different conclusions as the evaluator.  The evaluator may or may not testify, depending on whether either parent calls the evaluator to testify.

What happens when the Brief or Solution Focused Child Custody Evaluation is completed?
Generally, JoAnne Feigin testifies for up to one half day to present the information she has gathered and her recommendations.  This provides the family, the attorneys and the Court the opportunity to ask questions.  The Judge may consider the information presented, along with any other evidence presented in making orders that would be in the best interests of the children.

What do I need to understand about what is and is not in the Court’s power? It is not in the Court’s power to make the other parent be nice, emotionally responsive, or child centered, etc.  The Court can make orders about the time share and parenting plan, but cannot make the other parent change their core personality.  It is very important that evaluators have good diagnostic skills so they know when what they observe is a situational reaction, as compared to longstanding character traits that are less likely to change.  Parenting Plans need to be realistic, considering the personalities involved.

Where can I get additional information about Child Custody Evaluations?

• For information from the California Courts about child custody evaluations, click here.
• For information from Los Angeles Superior Court, click here.

Where can I get additional information about Parenting Plans?

• View my parenting plans 

Do I want to have a Child Custody Evaluation?
It is preferable to work out parenting arrangements between both parents, with the assistance of mediators or your attorneys, as needed.  Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law Department offers free mediation services to assist families in working out their own arrangements.