Navigating a child custody dispute is one of the most emotionally taxing experiences a parent can face. When you and your co-parent cannot agree on what is best for your child, a Georgia court may step in and order a formal evaluation to help make the decision. This process, known as a child custody assessment or evaluation, can feel invasive and overwhelming.
A child custody assessment in Georgia is a detailed investigation conducted by a neutral expert. Its purpose is to provide the judge with objective information about your family’s dynamics. This helps the court determine a custody arrangement that serves the “best interests of the child,” a standard defined by Georgia law. This guide explains the process, legal standards, and what you can expect in 2026.
Learn more about Georgia custody cases and how the law determines what’s best for your child in these situations.
When Is a Custody Evaluation Ordered in Georgia?
A judge won’t order an evaluation in every custody case. They are typically reserved for high-conflict situations where parents present very different pictures of family life. A court might mandate an evaluation under several circumstances:
- Disputed Custody: When parents have fundamental disagreements about parenting time, decision-making, or who should be the primary physical custodian.
- Requests by a Parent: One parent can formally request an evaluation if they have serious concerns about the other parent’s fitness. Often, both parents will consent to the process to show transparency.
- Concerns About Parental Fitness: Allegations of substance abuse, untreated mental health issues, domestic violence, or neglect almost always trigger a custody evaluation.
- Child’s Welfare: If there are questions about a child’s safety, emotional well-being, or special needs that are not being met.
- Legal Mandate: Georgia Code, specifically O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, gives judges the authority to order a psychological evaluation or custody assessment for a child or parent when their mental or emotional state is relevant to the custody decision.
Legal Standards & “Best Interests of the Child” in Georgia
Learn more about the Best interests of the child custody evaluation and how this standard shapes decisions in Georgia family courts.In Georgia, every custody decision revolves around one central theme: the best interests of the child. This isn’t just a vague concept; it’s a legal standard that requires judges to consider a specific set of factors. A custody evaluator’s job is to gather information related to these factors.
Some of the key “best interests” factors that a best interests of the child custody evaluation will explore include:
- The emotional ties between each parent and the child.
- Each parent’s capacity to provide love, guidance, and education.
- The knowledge and familiarity each parent has with the child’s needs.
- Each parent’s ability to provide food, shelter, clothing, and medical care.
- The stability of each parent’s home environment.
- The mental and physical health of each parent.
- Evidence of family violence, substance abuse, or criminal history.
The evaluator’s report translates their observations and findings into a framework that helps the judge apply these factors to your specific situation.
Who Conducts a Custody Assessment?
Learn more about Georgia custody evaluator qualifications and the difference between clinical and forensic evaluations before your case proceeds.The person performing the evaluation plays a critical role, and not just any therapist can do it. The court requires a qualified, neutral professional.
Georgia custody evaluator qualifications typically require the individual to be a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist (PhD or PsyD), psychiatrist (MD), or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with specialized training in forensics and family law.
Crucially, the evaluator must be a neutral third party. They cannot have a prior therapeutic relationship with any member of the family. Their only client is the court, and their sole duty is to provide an objective recommendation.
Types of Custody Evaluations
Not all evaluations are the same. The court will order a specific type based on the questions that need to be answered.
- Full Custody Evaluations: This is the most comprehensive type. It involves extensive interviews with both parents and the children, home visits, psychological testing, and interviews with collateral sources like teachers, doctors, and family friends.
- Focused Evaluations: These are narrower in scope and designed to answer a specific question. For example, the court may order a focused evaluation to investigate a parent’s potential substance abuse or to assess the impact of a proposed relocation.
- Parental Fitness / Psychological Evaluations: Sometimes called a custody psychological evaluation GA, this assessment focuses on one parent’s mental and emotional stability and its potential impact on their parenting abilities.
What Happens During the Evaluation Process?
For more details, see How to prepare for a custody evaluation.
The child custody evaluation Georgia process is methodical and multi-faceted. While each evaluator has their own approach, the core components generally remain the same.
- Interviews with Parents and Children: The evaluator will meet with each parent separately to discuss their history, parenting style, and concerns. They will also interview the children, using age-appropriate techniques to understand their experiences and relationships.
- Home Observations: The evaluator will visit each parent’s home to observe parent-child interactions in a natural setting. They are looking at the living conditions, the relationship dynamics, and how the parent manages daily routines.
- Psychological Testing: Parents are often asked to complete standardized psychological tests. These tests help identify personality traits, emotional functioning, and potential underlying issues that could affect parenting.
- Collateral Interviews: The evaluator will contact third parties who know your family. This can include teachers, therapists, daycare providers, and relatives. This helps them verify information and get a more complete picture.
- Records Review and Final Report: The evaluator reviews all relevant documents, such as school records, medical files, and court documents. Finally, they compile all this information into a detailed report that includes their findings and specific recommendations for custody and parenting time.
Timeline & Costs in Georgia
For a deeper breakdown on what to expect, see our Custody evaluation cost Georgia guide, including the main factors affecting custody evaluation pricing.
Two of the biggest concerns for parents are how long the process takes and how much it will cost.
The Georgia custody evaluation timeline can vary significantly. A focused evaluation might be completed in a few weeks, but a full, comprehensive evaluation often takes two to four months from start to finish.
The custody evaluation cost Georgia is also highly variable. Costs can range from $2,500 for a simple focused assessment to over $15,000 for a complex, high-conflict full evaluation. The court typically orders parents to split the cost, though a judge can assign a higher percentage to one parent based on financial circumstances or their role in creating the conflict.
How Evaluators’ Reports Influence Custody Orders
To learn more about the legal process, see How custody decisions are made in Georgia.
An evaluator’s report carries significant weight in the courtroom, but it is not the final word. The judge is the ultimate decision-maker.
However, since the evaluator is a neutral expert appointed by the court, their recommendations are highly influential. Judges often adopt the evaluator’s suggestions regarding:
- Legal Custody: Who makes major decisions (education, healthcare, religion).
- Physical Custody: The day-to-day parenting time schedule.
- Supervised Visitation: If there are safety concerns.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Recommendations for family therapy, co-parenting counseling, or individual treatment.
Preparing for a Custody Evaluation in Georgia
For detailed advice and a checklist, see our How to prepare for a court-ordered custody evaluation guide.You cannot “study” for a custody evaluation, but you can prepare. Your goal should be to present yourself as an honest, stable, and child-focused parent.
- Gather Your Documents: Organize relevant records, including your child’s school and medical reports, logs of your parenting time, and examples of positive communication with the other parent.
- Be Honest and Cooperative: Evaluators are trained to spot deception. Lying or being evasive will damage your credibility. Cooperate with all requests for information and interviews.
- Focus on Your Child: Frame your answers and concerns around your child’s needs, not your feelings about the other parent. Avoid blaming or bad-mouthing your co-parent.
- Maintain a Clean and Safe Home: Ensure your home is tidy and safe for the home observation. The goal is to show a stable, child-friendly environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a child custody assessment in Georgia?
A: It’s a formal evaluation by a neutral mental health professional to help the court decide custody arrangements. It assesses each parent’s ability to meet a child’s needs according to the “best interests of the child” standard.
Q: When will a judge order a custody evaluation?
A: Courts order evaluations when parents disagree on custody or if there are serious concerns about parental fitness, mental health, substance abuse, or child safety.
Q: Who performs custody evaluations in Georgia?
A: Licensed professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers who have specialized training and no prior involvement with the family perform these evaluations.
Q: How long does a custody evaluation take in Georgia?
A: A full custody evaluation can take several weeks or even months to complete, depending on the case’s complexity, scheduling, and the evaluator’s workload.
Q: How much does a custody evaluation cost in Georgia?
A: Costs vary widely, often ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. The court usually orders the parents to split the fee, but not always equally.
Q: Can I refuse to participate in a custody evaluation?
A: While you can technically refuse, it is strongly advised against. A refusal can be viewed negatively by the court, suggesting you have something to hide and are not cooperating in a process designed to protect your child.
Q: What is a child custody assessment in Georgia?
A: It’s a formal evaluation by a neutral mental health professional to help the court decide custody arrangements. It assesses each parent’s ability to meet a child’s needs according to the “best interests of the child” standard.
Q: When will a judge order a custody evaluation?
A: Courts order evaluations when parents disagree on custody or if there are serious concerns about parental fitness, mental health, substance abuse, or child safety.
Q: Who performs custody evaluations in Georgia?
A: Licensed professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers who have specialized training and no prior involvement with the family perform these evaluations.
Q: How long does a custody evaluation take in Georgia?
A: A full custody evaluation can take several weeks or even months to complete, depending on the case’s complexity, scheduling, and the evaluator’s workload.
Q: How much does a custody evaluation cost?
A: Costs vary widely, often ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. The court usually orders the parents to split the fee, but not always equally.
Q: Can I refuse to participate in a custody evaluation?
A: While you can technically refuse, it is strongly advised against. A refusal can be viewed negatively by the court, suggesting you have something to hide and are not cooperating in a process designed to protect your child.