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.
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For more information:
Trina A. Nudson, J.D., LBSW
Program Director
trina@thelayneproject.com
Monica DeCicco, LMSW
Assistant Program Director
monica@thelayneproject.com
313 N Chestnut
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913.829.3711
Fax: 913.829.8858
Email: info@thelayneproject.com
The Layne Project, Inc. does not offer legal
services.
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