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When Does a Child Custody Evaluator Stop Collecting Data?

By Jonathan W. Gould
April 28, 2012

When is the work of a child custody evaluator complete? Over the past several years, I have repeatedly run into this question. One side argues that the evaluator's work is complete when the report is written and forwarded to the attorneys and/or the court. The other side argues that the evaluator's role is complete when testimony is complete; the evaluator should gather information up until the time she takes the stand.

There are no clear rules that guide an evaluator. Neither the American Psychological Association's Ethical Code (American Psychological Association (2002), Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, Amer Psychol, 57, 1060-1073) nor its Child Custody Guidelines (American Psychological Association (APA) (2010), Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings, Amer Psychol, 65(9), 863-867) address the question of when the work of an evaluator is complete. Here are some examples that have resulted in this question being raised.

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