Custody Evaluations

Child Custody Evaluations - Overview
Mindy Harrison conducts child custody evaluations throughout the state of Texas. Child custody evaluation is a process through which recommendations for the custody of, parenting of, and access to children can be made to the court in those cases which the parents are unable to work out their own parenting plans. These evaluations are only done by court appointment only. This generally means that both of the parties and/or their attorneys agree to the appointment before submitting an order to the court. Mindy Harrison’s needs to be individually names in the court order. Please see our Sample Order for examples. Mrs. Harrison follows the guidelines outlined in the Texas Family Code, Section 107.101, Subchapter D, related to Child Custody Evaluations.

Fees for Child Custody Evaluations:
A completed Child Custody Evaluations are billed at a flat base rate of $3,000.00 per party. This base rate covered interviews of up to five adults and/or children involved in the case. There is an additional charge of $100 per party for an additional adult or child to be interviewed beyond the first five. The base rate also covers collection of standard collateral information, review of basic documentation, and completion of a report to the court. It does not cover review of depositions, review of Child Protective Services records, or other substantial records review. Such additional work is billed based on a standard hourly rate of $250 per hour.

Expedited Child Custody Evaluations
Please call to check availability for an expedited evaluation. Our expedited Child Custody Evaluations are completed in 6 to 8 weeks and greatly depend on the cooperation of all parties. The 6 to 8 week timeframe begins when all parties have completed their paperwork, submitted their background checks, paid their fees, and attended their initial interview session. There is a $1000 additional fee per party for an expedited Child Custody Evaluation.

Adoption Evaluations
Mindy Harrison conducts adoption evaluations throughout the state of Texas. Many stepparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others choose to adopt children whose lives they are already involved with. Although many courts and evaluators recognize that for most stepparent or relative adoptions the legal process cements and already existing relationship, the State of Texas still requires that an adoption evaluation be filed in most cases. These evaluations are only done by court appointment only. Mindy Harrison’s needs to be individually names in the court order. Please see our Sample Order for examples.

Fees for Adoption Evaluations
Contested adoption evaluations are billed in the same manner as child custody evaluations, as they require similar services. Uncontested adoption evaluations (pre-placement, post-placement, or combined) are offered at a substantial discount, and are billed at the following base rates:

  1. Stepparent or other relative adoptions: A flat rate of $950
  2. Non-relative adoptions: A flat rate of $1,250

As with child custody evaluations, there are occasionally unusual circumstances that require additional fees. Assistance in completing the Health, Education, Social, and Genetic History report for a non-relative adoption can be provided at standard hourly fees of $250 per hour.

Expedited Adoption Evaluations
Our expedited Adoption Evaluations are completed in 2 to 4 weeks and greatly depend on the cooperation of all parties. The 2 to 4 week timeframe begins when all parties have completed their paperwork, submitted their background checks, paid their fees, and attended their initial interview session. There is a $500 additional fee for an expedited Adoption Evaluation.

Court Appearances
For any requested appearance, deposition, or participation in any type of settlement conference: $250.00 per hour, with a minimum charge of three hours for personal appearances, or a minimum charge of one hour for telephonic appearances. Such fees are due at least one week before the scheduled appearance. Please note: if an appearance request is received without a minimum of one week of advanced notice there will be an additional $250.00 express charge.

Travel
There is no additional fee for evaluations conducted in Tarrant, Collin, Dallas, or Denton Counties. If any party lives outside of these counties an additional travel fee may be charged. Travel time is charged per hour, rounded up to the nearest 15-minute increment, at half the standard hourly rate (above).
For evaluations requiring airline or overnight travel in addition to the standard rates fees are charged for travel time and travel expenses. Travel time is charged per hour, rounded up to the nearest 15-minute increment, at half the standard hourly rate (above), and is logged as any time spent from airport arrival to hotel and back again. Travel expenses include the full expense of the airfare, a hotel room, and a rental vehicle with gasoline reimbursement or taxi fees. An additional base retainer will be calculated based on expected travel time and expenses and is due before any travel arrangements will be made.