Court-Ordered Social Studies

Social studies are ordered to help a court resolve child custody disputes or approve child adoption requests.

Click on the link below to download a document that will explain what to expect from your social study. What to Expect from Your Social Study.doc

I have completed over 100 studies for adoption and custody disputes.  No matter how many I have completed, I still understand fully that each case is individual with it’s own set of circumstances.   I take this work very seriously.  I consider myself an advocate for the children involved in each  study.  My main concern is to determine what is in the best interest of the child, not what may make each parent comfortable.  I am a member of and have received training from the American Federation of Conciliation Courts in an effort to provide excellent services to the courts.

Studies for Adoptions: The process for completing these studies involves a visit in the home to become acquainted with the family members and to assess if the home is appropriate for raising a child.  I ask for the stepparent or adoptive parents to each complete an extensive questionnaire, as well as providing three references for each parent for a guardian adoption, or three references total for a stepparent adoption.  Medical and school records may be reviewed as well, and a report is prepared for the attorneys and the court.

For information about fees, call 972-377-6400.

Studies for Custody Disputes: These studies are much more extensive in nature.  They involve two visits to the home of each person seeking custody with the children present. In addition there is at least one visit with each parent with no children present. 

Each person seeking custody completes an extensive questionnaire, provides three references (who likewise complete questionnaires) and the names of educators, therapists, physicians, neighbors, family and other persons that the parents want me to interview.  There is a limit of 7 of these additional interviews per parent. 

The net effect is that I do several home visits, interview up to 20 people, review any written materials provided, and then prepare a comprehensive report that is provided to the court and to the lawyers involved.  If a psychological evaluation has been ordered, and is completed before I complete my study, I read it only after I have done all my interviewing, so that my interviews with those involved are not influenced by the psychologist’s evaluation.

For information about fees, call me at 972-377-6400.