Pre-Trial Alternatives, LLC

HOW DOES A CUSTODY EVALUATION WORK?

Your family may be referred to me by the Court for a Custody Evaluation. After interviewing your family and collecting other information, I will send my written opinions to the Judge relative to the best interests of your child(ren). The fee for this service is $3000 per case, payable in advance, which includes all interviews required by the evaluator, review of collateral documents, telephone conferences, and report writing. Additional costs may include drug/alcohol or psychological testing, fees for obtaining medical, psychiatric or legal records, fees for failed appointments, extra interviews requested by the parties, and Court or deposition testimony by the evaluator. The interview process begins as soon as both parties’ fees have been received. Your fee will be returned if the other party fails to comply within 30 days, and the Court will be notified as to the status of the case.

If your attorney wishes to question me under oath, you will be charged for my time at a rate of $200 per hour including travel time. Your attorney is required to send a subpoena and a five-hour retainer in the amount of $1000 at least 72 hours in advance of the testimony date.  If I am “on call” and then I am not called, one half of the retainer fee will be refunded.

Report updates are sometimes requested by the Court.  Update interviews and other services are billed at $150 per hour plus a 4-hour fee for document preparation.

 Contact us to ask questions or make an appointment.