The Art and Science of Child Custody Evaluations

Jonathan W. Gould, PhD, ABPP, practices forensic psychology with a specialization in issues related to family law, including child custody, and is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He performs court-appointed custody evaluations and consults with attorneys and psychologists in the areas of child custody, Child Protective Services evaluations such as termination of parental rights, and professional ethics and standards. Dr. Gould also consults with attorneys in the areas of criminal child sexual abuse and other forms of child maltreatment. David A. Martindale, PhD, ABPP, is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He performed court-appointed custody evaluations for 16 years in New York state and served as the Reporter for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts’ Model Standards for Child Custody Evaluation. Dr. Martindale’s practice is now limited to consulting with attorneys, psychologists, and psychology licensing boards in the areas of child custody and professional ethics and standards.

I. Child Custody Evaluations and the Best Interests of the Child

1. Introduction

2. The Best Interests of the Child Standard

II. The Art of Child Custody Evaluations

3. Ethics and Methods

4. Minimizing and Correcting for Bias

5. Increasing the Reliability and Relevance of Child Custody Evaluations

6. Interviewing Children

7. Children's Voices

III. The Science of Child Custody Evaluations: Factors to Assess in Child Custody Evaluations

8. Assessment of Child Developmental Factors

9. Assessment of Parent Factors

10. Assessment of Family Factors

IV. The Art and Science of Child Custody Evaluations: Assessing Allegations of Maltreatment

11. Assessing Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

12. Assessing Allegations of Domestic Violence

13. Assessing Allegations of Child Alienation

14. Another Call for Humility

Appendix: Sample Statements of Understanding and Letters