Dr. Abbie Jones can be assigned by the court to conduct either a custody evaluation or a brief focused assessment. A court-ordered evaluation is a serious process—time-intensive, emotionally taxing, and high stakes for families. The goal is to provide the court with a clear, objective picture of each parent’s strengths and vulnerabilities, and how those interact with the specific developmental, emotional, and psychological needs of the child(ren). You can learn more about court ordered evaluations on the website of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) , of which Dr. Jones is a member.

To proceed with either a Custody/Parenting Plan Evaluation or a BFA, a court order is required. The order must name the evaluating clinician, designate report recipients, and outline financial responsibility. A retainer is due prior to the start of the assessment.

Custody Evaluation Process: A custody evaluation includes structured interviews, standardized psychological measures, review of relevant records, and collateral input when appropriate (such as from teachers or treating providers). Parents may submit documentation they believe is relevant to understanding the children’s needs and family functioning. At the conclusion of the evaluation, Dr. Jones prepares a comprehensive written report for the attorneys and the court, integrating findings and offering recommendations focused on the children’s safety, stability, and well-being. Families entering this process are often under significant stress. The evaluation is conducted in a structured, transparent, and respectful manner. The process begins with required paperwork, followed by individual parent meetings, parent–child observations, and individual meetings with children (typically ages six and older). A detailed description of the process is available in the Procedures document below.. Learn more at the AFCC Website.

Brief Focused Assessment: A Brief Focused Assessment (BFA) is a time-limited, court-ordered evaluation designed to answer one or a small number of clearly defined questions. Unlike a full custody evaluation, a BFA does not examine overall parenting capacity or broad family functioning. Instead, it provides the court with targeted clinical information to support decision-making when a specific issue needs clarification. BFAs are typically requested when the court needs reliable, professionally grounded input within a shorter timeframe. Common referral questions may include matters such as a child’s stated preference, the need for supervised parenting time, or conditions for reunification between a parent and child. The assessment process is guided entirely by the court’s referral question(s) and may include interviews with parents and children, observation of parent–child interaction, review of relevant records, and consultation with collateral professionals as appropriate. Findings are reported in a focused, descriptive manner, without the broader analyses or conclusions required in a comprehensive custody evaluation. A BFA is most appropriate when the issue before the court is narrow, well-defined, and requires clinical judgment, but does not warrant a full evaluation of the family system. When questions involve long-term custody arrangements, relocation, or complex patterns of risk, a comprehensive custody evaluation is generally more appropriate.