Custody & Parenting Time Evaluations
A court order is required. An evaluation report is submitted to the Superior Court and Attorney’s regarding what is in the “best-interest” of the children. Aspects of the evaluation include, but are not limited to:
Evaluation Fees
.
***Insurance will not pay for this service.
Retainers:
The ability to predict the final fee is difficult because each evaluation is unique and may require varying amounts of time spent on travel, direct contacts, phone calls, depositions, review of legal documents, research, report writing and court testimony. Each hour of work is billed at $150 hr. A $2500 per parent retainer will be requested and must be paid before the evaluation begins.
Prior to the evaluation beginning I will provide an estimate for the cost of the evaluation. The parties or courts may determine what proportion is to be paid by each party
An average estimate for 2 Parents and up to 2 children is approximately $3000. A higher estimate would be calculated for additional children over age 5, depositions, extensive document review and clients residing outside of Vanderburgh or Warrick County. This initial estimate does not include court testimony.
Additional costs could be incurred if psychological testing or drug testing seems necessary. I do not request psychological testing or drug tests as part of my routine evaluations.
**Retainers must be maintained throughout the course of the evaluation. Failure to do so will result in the evaluation being placed on hold.
Psychological Testing
Psychological Assessment can be performed individually or as part of a custody evaluation. A consultation with the referring party is necessary to determine if the evaluator will provide testing individually. I only provide this service related to parenting/co-parenting issues. The results and interpretation will be provided to the referring party. Recommendations for custody and parenting time are only provided if a full custody evaluation is performed. Fees for an individual evaluation are $2500 per adult. . If subpoenaed court costs are an additional fee (see below). If testing is part of a full custody evaluation then the additional fee for testing is $500 per adult, (See above for fees related to Custody Evaluations.)
Expert Testimony/Case Review
In some circumstances I am retained to provide testimony on a scientific or professional issue because of my experience, training or familiarity with a subject. In these situations I will meet with the attorney and client to assess whether I am appropriate to provide information on a case.
Legal professionals may also retain my services to review a case and provide input or education about a specific issue that does not involve going to court or disclosing my services to the other parties in the case.
I am also available to assist and provide support for clients who are going through a court or other evaluation process.
***These services are not paid for by insurance and are billed at $150 hour. Billable hours include face to face contact, document review and phone collaboration.
Report writing
When it is necessary to provide a written report to an attorney, courts or other party the client will need to provide a signed release. These reports are charged at $150 hour and include document/note review and the actual report. The fees are not covered by insurance and will need to be paid prior to the release of the report.
A court order is required. An evaluation report is submitted to the Superior Court and Attorney’s regarding what is in the “best-interest” of the children. Aspects of the evaluation include, but are not limited to:
- Psychological Testing (if ordered)
- (Parent/Guardian/Significant Others) Attending 2-3 Individual appointments. If you are remarried or cohabitating then your spouse or partner will need to attend a minimum of one session in the office.
- Bring children to 2-3 Individual appointments
- Attend 1-2 Family sessions in the office.
- Home visits if either parent reports concerns about living environment. (If a parent resides outside a 2 hour total diving distance then they may request a home visit by a licensed therapist in their area and pay for this service separately).
- Complete Parent and Child Questionnaires.
- Joint parent meeting.
- Signing releases of information forms for any collateral contacts requested by the evaluator. This includes mental health/medical, school, daycare, employment or other records or contacts that seem necessary to make a recommendation.
Evaluation Fees
.
***Insurance will not pay for this service.
Retainers:
The ability to predict the final fee is difficult because each evaluation is unique and may require varying amounts of time spent on travel, direct contacts, phone calls, depositions, review of legal documents, research, report writing and court testimony. Each hour of work is billed at $150 hr. A $2500 per parent retainer will be requested and must be paid before the evaluation begins.
Prior to the evaluation beginning I will provide an estimate for the cost of the evaluation. The parties or courts may determine what proportion is to be paid by each party
An average estimate for 2 Parents and up to 2 children is approximately $3000. A higher estimate would be calculated for additional children over age 5, depositions, extensive document review and clients residing outside of Vanderburgh or Warrick County. This initial estimate does not include court testimony.
Additional costs could be incurred if psychological testing or drug testing seems necessary. I do not request psychological testing or drug tests as part of my routine evaluations.
**Retainers must be maintained throughout the course of the evaluation. Failure to do so will result in the evaluation being placed on hold.
Psychological Testing
Psychological Assessment can be performed individually or as part of a custody evaluation. A consultation with the referring party is necessary to determine if the evaluator will provide testing individually. I only provide this service related to parenting/co-parenting issues. The results and interpretation will be provided to the referring party. Recommendations for custody and parenting time are only provided if a full custody evaluation is performed. Fees for an individual evaluation are $2500 per adult. . If subpoenaed court costs are an additional fee (see below). If testing is part of a full custody evaluation then the additional fee for testing is $500 per adult, (See above for fees related to Custody Evaluations.)
Expert Testimony/Case Review
In some circumstances I am retained to provide testimony on a scientific or professional issue because of my experience, training or familiarity with a subject. In these situations I will meet with the attorney and client to assess whether I am appropriate to provide information on a case.
Legal professionals may also retain my services to review a case and provide input or education about a specific issue that does not involve going to court or disclosing my services to the other parties in the case.
I am also available to assist and provide support for clients who are going through a court or other evaluation process.
***These services are not paid for by insurance and are billed at $150 hour. Billable hours include face to face contact, document review and phone collaboration.
Report writing
When it is necessary to provide a written report to an attorney, courts or other party the client will need to provide a signed release. These reports are charged at $150 hour and include document/note review and the actual report. The fees are not covered by insurance and will need to be paid prior to the release of the report.