Family Centered Child Custody /
Parenting Time Evaluations

Our Goal: To provide a positive and productive process for families utilizing best practices while at the same time providing a benefit to the court.  

Our Evaluators: In compliance with the AFCC and NASW Model Standards of Practice for Child Custody Evaluations, all of The Layne Project custody / parenting time evaluators maintain a minimum of a master’s degree in a mental health field and have training and experience working with children, family systems.

Our Facilitators: During joint sessions a facilitator is utilized. Our facilitators are trained mediators who have extensive training in family law and family systems.

Our Process*:
Intake: Our intake process consists of a joint intake interview of the parents and individual intake interviews with each parent. During this process, the parties will jointly determine what issues they would like addressed in the evaluation, identify a list of collateral contacts, and determine relevant information needed for decision making. During this process, individual caucuses may be held. The facilitator will be responsible for structuring and maintaining control of the meeting, helping to ensure that all parties are heard throughout the process, and calling individual caucuses when deemed necessary.

If the custody evaluator and/or facilitator identifies a need for psychological consultation for the parents and/or child, during this evaluation the custody evaluator will refer the individual(s) to a psychologist to complete any necessary testing and/or interviews, and will consult with the psychologist in completing the custody evaluation.

Individual Interviews: During this phase, the custody evaluator holds individual interviews with each parent, the child(ren), and the significant other of each parent (if applicable). The custody evaluator will meet each parent both individually and jointly with the child(ren). In addition, he/she  will meet individually with the child(ren). It is The Layne Project’s standard of practice that the custody evaluator will meet with the child(ren) and parents multiple times throughout this process.

Collateral contacts:  During the intake phase, a list of collateral contacts was compiled. During this stage, the custody evaluator will contact the collateral contacts. The parties may give references that the custody evaluator will contact during this phase, but the primary emphasis will be placed on contacting the collaterals identified in the joint session. This may include school teachers, school personnel, day care providers, therapists, pediatricians, youth group leaders, coaches, guardian ad litem, ect.

Final Meetings:  After the custody evaluator has compiled all his/her information, a final joint meeting is held. Participants will include the facilitator, the custody evaluator, both parents, and may include the psychologist (if psychological testing was completed). This meeting is held prior to the custody evaluator drafting the report. At this time, the custody evaluator shares with the parties his/her assessment and information obtained throughout the evaluation process. In addition, the parties are given the opportunity to identify any additional relevant information that needs to be obtained or ask any unanswered questions. If additional information is needed, the custody evaluator will gather this information and the parties will reconvene. The facilitator will be responsible for structuring and maintaining control of the meeting, and helping to ensure all parties are heard throughout the process.

The Report:  If this process results in an agreement, the custody evaluator will submit a report to the court that the evaluation was completed, including the resulting recommendations and that the involved parties have mutually agreed that the recommendations best meet the families’ needs. In the event there is no agreement, the custody evaluator will prepare a comprehensive written evaluation for the court to include recommendations. The facilitator will review the report to ensure all questions have been answered, objectivity, clarity and legal basis prior to submission to the court.  

Time Frame:  A custody/parenting time evaluation will be assigned and completed within eight weeks of The Layne Project, Inc. being engaged for said evaluation. In the event a psychological evaluation is deemed necessary for any party, it is likely that the final report will be delayed.

Cost: The Layne Project, Inc. charges an initial flat fee for custody/parenting time evaluations of $3000.00. Said fee shall be paid at the time of engagement. In the event that a custody/parenting time evaluation requires The Layne Project personnel a total of more than 35 hours, the parties will be provided a detailed invoice. Any additional time will be billed at a rate of  $85.00 per hour, and said fee shall be paid prior to the release of the Court Report. Note: In the event psychological testing is deemed necessary, this is an additional cost which shall be paid as required by the referred psychologist.

*This process was adapted from Tompkins, R.I. (1986). Program Description: Family Focused Custody Visitation Evaluation Procedures, Family Division, State of Connecticut.

** If joint meetings are deemed inappropriate for an individual family, the same protocol will be followed but with individual meetings.

For more information:

Trina A. Nudson, J.D., LBSW
Program Director
trina@thelayneproject.com

Monica DeCicco, LMSW
Assistant Program Director
monica@thelayneproject.com

108 E. Poplar
Olathe, KS 66061

Phone: 913.829.3711
Fax: 913.829.8858
Email:  info@thelayneproject.com

The Layne Project, Inc. does not offer legal services.