Social Investigation
Social Investigations, formerly called custody evaluations, assess each parent’s ability to meet their children’s best interests.
Social Investigation
Social Investigations, formerly called custody evaluations, assess each parent’s ability to meet their children’s best interests.
A social investigation includes:
- Visits to the homes of each caregiver
- Observations of each child with each adult in parenting role
- Screening for domestic violence and abuse; all allegations are investigated and/or reported to the Child Abuse hotline
- Contact with others living in each home
- Contact with relevant professionals, such as teachers, doctors and employers
- Interviews with objective character references submitted by each parent
- Background checks of relevant police and court records
- Findings of related cases, when identified
- Completion of relevant surveys and questionnaires as requested by the social investigator
- Psychometric assessment to determine the presence of mental health disorders, likelihood of abuse, substance use, etc.
- Presentation of facts to the court, addressing all the pertinent details relevant to a child’s best interest, and addressing parental responsibility and time-sharing arrangements as requested.
Dr. Riley and her team have conducted hundreds of social investigations, acting as an impartial neutral party to provide recommendations to the Court.
Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the investigator will furnish a written study containing a recommendation to the court and the parties. This recommendation may be considered by the court when it makes a decision on the parenting plan.
The cost of a social investigation can range from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on the complexity of the case, the number of children involved and the time needed to complete the investigation. The court may order the parents to split the cost of the investigation, or order one parent responsible for the entire cost of the investigation.
A court order must be provided in order to begin the process and all fees are paid in advance.
If you have questions regarding the role of social investigations in family court proceedings, please contact us.
Other Court Ordered Services Available:
- Reunification Therapy
- Trial and Jury Consulting
- Mental Health Testing and Recommendations
- Subject Matter Expert and Forensic Court Testimony
- High Conflict Parenting Classes
Expert Testimony and Deposition Fees
Expert testimony: Social Investigation fees do not include depositions or expert witness testimony. Dr. Riley may not be called as a percipient witness, only as an expert witness. Please call our office for fees. Fees will apply if Dr. Riley testifies for one minute, 7 hours, or not at all. Fees must be paid at least 10 business days before the court date. The fees are not refundable if Dr. Riley receives less than 72 hours' notice to cancel or change the dates of testimony. By mutual agreement, Dr. Riley will accept a subpoena by email or fax: 866-384-3669. If Dr. Riley must travel more than one hour from the courthouse, there will be an additional travel fee. For depositions, the same terms of payment and refund apply.