A Judicial Perspective on Child Custody Evaluations

Abstract

Family courts are focused on the protection of the child in a dissolution or family litigation matter. The protection of the child includes protecting a child’s mental and psychological health as well as a child’s physical health. This present emphasis on protecting the children in custody matters was not always the focus in the past, even though the “best interest standard” has been the guiding principle for many years. After decades of custody litigation, courts became more and more aware that a great deal of damage was being done to a child while a case was pending, before the trial had begun. So instead of the sole focus of the family court judge being on a “best interest of the child” result, emphasis shifted to a “best interest of the child” process. Whether the case is in Illinois or some other state, there are numerous provisions built into a state’s statutes to safeguard children experiencing the breakdown of the relationship between their mothers and fathers.

More quality education and training is needed for court evaluators. I would like to see statewide standards, but that is not possible until the knowledge and training of evaluators takes a sufficient form for the state to endorse. This book, which brings so much knowledge and research to the forefront, is a step in that direction.