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Parenting Evaluation

A staff of licensed mental health professionals conduct parenting evaluations for families ordered by the Court. Psychological testing and alcohol/drug assessments may be included in the evaluation process. Upon completion of the evaluation process a written report is prepared that provides the Court with recommendations to consider when making an allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.

An evaluation will include a joint interview and individual interviews with the parents of the children. It will also include an interactional interview with each parent and the minor children. The evaluation may also include individual or joint interviews with the minor children. The evaluator may also interview step parents, significant others, other relatives involved with the minor children, and other siblings of the minor children. All interviews take place in the Courthouse. The parents will be required to sign releases in order to obtain medical records of the parents and the children, and school records for the children. The records obtained are to be used for the evaluation.

An allocation of parental rights and responsibilities evaluation is for the purpose of making recommendations as to responsibility for parental decision making and parenting time (custody/visitation).

A companionship time evaluation makes a recommendation as to whether a relative or someone with a close relationship with the minor children should be awarded court ordered time with them.

A brief focused evaluation is used to investigate a narrow issue regarding children when a full investigation is not required.


Contact Information

LaLonde, Melissa, Director, Family Evaluation Services

Phone
216-443-8805

Location
Ground Floor Room 7

Hours Of Operation
Monday - Friday
8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Fees

  • $800.00 - allocation of parental rights and responsibilities/parenting time evaluation
  • $700.00 - companionship evaluation
  • $600.00 - brief focused evaluation
  • $175.00 - alcohol and drug assessment

Fees are taxed as court costs.

Case Management

  • The Court may refer parties to Forensic Case Management to assist them with child related issues.
  • The Forensic Case Manager assists parents with communication to resolve parenting disputes, monitors compliance with mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, and monitors supervised parenting time.
  • Summaries of agreements reached in forensic case management will be provided to parties and attorneys.
  • The Forensic Case Manager provides outcome reports to the court for review hearings and when there is noncompliance by the parties.
  • The Forensic Case Manager cannot make changes to legal or physical custody of children, and does not deal with financial issues, division of property, and issues of relocation.
  • The services of the Forensic Case Manager are $25.00 per hour. Fees are taxed as court costs.

Custody Evaluation

Custody Evaluations (also known as Parenting Plan Evaluations) are now governed by Supreme Court Rule of Superintendence 91 (Sup.R.91) and Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court Local Rule 39. Under these rules:

  • The court may appoint an evaluator to assist in its determination of an appropriate parenting plan in the best interest of the minor child.
  • The evaluator is considered the court’s expert witness and parties are not permitted to retain their own custody evaluator.
  • The evaluator is a neutral professional and is subject to adhere to rules related to ex parte communication.
  • The custody evaluator’s report will be entered as an exhibit of their expert testimony at the time of trial but is subject to cross examination.
  • The court will maintain a list of non-court connected evaluators who have met the requirements identified in Sup.R91.08.
    • To be placed on the Custody Evaluator Roster, submit the application and all related materials to the Director of Family Evaluation Services.

Please refer to the following links for additional information:

Family Evaluation Services consists of court-connected custody evaluators who have met the education and training requirements identified by Sup. R. 91.