FORENSIC & COURT
Child Custody Evaluations
A deeply significant milestone for your family — carrying recommendations that shape the future of the children you love. We approach every evaluation with the highest levels of objectivity, care, and dedication.
Since 2016
Serving the Bay Area
4.6 ★
Rating on Zocdoc
4
Bay Area Locations
Court-listed
Alameda + SF Family Court
OVERVIEW
A specialized area of expertise — handled with the utmost integrity.
Custody evaluations are a specialized area of expertise for Unfold Psychology's founder, Dr. Heafey, who trained closely with Dr. Michael Kerner, one of the most respected clinicians in the field. When you partner with Unfold Psychology, Dr. Heafey walks beside you through every step of the process, ensuring you feel informed, supported, and ready to move forward.
By its very nature, the role of a court-ordered evaluator carries immense responsibility. There is simply no room for bias. True professionalism means adopting a strictly objective approach, providing each parent with equal, balanced opportunities to share their story, whether in person or via telehealth. At all times, the sole focus must remain the best interests of the child and the specific directives of the court.
Every family navigating a court-ordered evaluation deserves absolute respect, clear communication, and complete transparency. Because these findings play such a critical role in your family's future, you also have the right to expect your expert to deliver their report with the utmost integrity and timeliness.
YOUR EVALUATOR
Meet Dr. Heafey
Dr. Richard Heafey
Psy.D. · MFT · M.A. · License #30807
Licensed clinical psychologist with training in clinical, counseling, and forensic psychology, working across therapy, assessment, and court-related matters to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges through connection and heart.
FOUNDATIONAL
What is a Child Custody Evaluation?
A Child Custody Evaluation is a structured assessment of your child's welfare, general health, and functioning. A court will order a custody evaluation to determine what setting would serve the best interest of the child in the future. It is a structured evaluation to ensure that a child has the opportunities they deserve in a safe environment.
There are situations in which a child is better suited to spend more time with one parent than with the other. When the child's best interests call for it, the final report, outlining the details and findings from the evaluation, may recommend that one parent have full custody over the child.
All custody evaluations occur when a judge orders one to be conducted. The reasons for ordering one are varied, but they most often occur when one or both parents petition the court for an evaluation. Other circumstances leading to an evaluation include when a judge wants greater insight into a parenting plan ruling, when a family court services mediator makes an official recommendation, or when there have been allegations of abuse.
SCOPE OF WORK
Types of custody evaluations
In California, an evaluation is either partial, focused, or full. Each county has unique classifications and terminology — we encourage you to seek legal clarification if you have questions on this topic.
Full Custody Evaluation
A thorough evaluation to ascertain the best interests of a child. This process utilizes comprehensive interviews of the people in a child's life who may provide insight into the child's functioning.
Includes psychological testing, home visits, meetings with the minor(s) in the presence of each parent and alone, and observations in settings where the child is unaware that they are being evaluated. Every intervention is meticulously chosen to answer the most essential question: what is in the child's best interest?
Partial & Focused Evaluations
Also called Brief Focused Assessments, Mini-Evaluations, or Focused Issue Evaluations. Rather than a comprehensive top-to-bottom look at every aspect of your family's life, the court orders a partial evaluation to answer one to three specific questions that are blocking a resolution.
The evaluator uses forensic methods under California's Evidence Code 730.
"I have a clear role: I work for the court. I do not work for the parents, one parent, or the other. My focus is, and remains, the best interests of the child."
Dr. Richard Heafey, Founder
OUR APPROACH
A personal note from Dr. Heafey
Families deserve to have the most monumental course of events in their child's developmental life handled according to a strict timetable. There is zero room for procrastination. If a member of the family hinders my ability to arrange necessary appointments or follow through on my duties, I will alert the court. I expect appointments related to the custody of a child to take priority over business appointments, swim practice, or brief school absences.
If the court deems one parent pays for the entire evaluation, 30%, or 70%, it means nothing to me because financial arrangements are not within the scope of my practice.
Make no mistake, the work is not easy. It is methodically challenging — and it should be. Families deserve this level of commitment and professionalism. Any family I work with should know I make no judgments. People make mistakes; people say and do things they wish they never had. I make significant efforts to consider all information contextually.
Put simply, the report and the recommendations I provide to the court are for the best interests of the child — per the date stamped on the report. After that date, it is not uncommon for people, events, and circumstances to change. My recommendations, when permitted, include future considerations in which families are supported and encouraged to stay connected and not estranged.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The custody evaluation process
Every case is unique, but most evaluations move through the same core phases. Timelines vary based on scope and court directives — we'll walk you through what applies to your case at intake.
01
Intake & court order review
We review the court order, confirm scope, and schedule the initial appointments. You'll know what to expect at every step.
02
Interviews
Each parent is given equal, balanced opportunities to share their story. Meetings with the child(ren) occur separately and with each parent.
03
Psychological testing
Standardized instruments — chosen to answer the specific questions the court has ordered — always with the child's best interests as the frame.
04
Home visits & collateral sources
Observations in the home with each parent, plus interviews with people in the child's life — teachers, providers, or other relevant sources.
05
Report & delivery to court
A written report with findings and recommendations is delivered directly to the court, according to the timeline stated in the judge's order.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
The Unfold difference.
Trained by Dr. Michael Kerner
Dr. Heafey trained closely with one of the most respected custody-evaluation clinicians in the field.
Strictly objective methodology
Each parent is given equal, balanced opportunities to share their story — in person or via telehealth.
Delivered on a strict timetable
Families deserve to have monumental matters handled without delay. Zero room for procrastination.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a custody evaluation cost?
Custody evaluation fees are difficult to fix into a range — they depend on so many different aspects of your case, including scope (full vs. partial), court directives, and complexity. We recommend contacting us for a quote, so we can provide as much information as possible based on your specific needs.
How long does a custody evaluation take?
Custody evaluation timelines are highly dependent on case details, court orders, and the nature of the referral. Partial or focused evaluations answer one to three specific questions and can be completed in a shorter window. Full evaluations are comprehensive by design and typically require more time. We’ll provide a realistic timeline at intake, so you can plan around court dates and deadlines.
Can evaluations be conducted via telehealth?
While a small portion of the process can occur via telehealth, most of it must be conducted in person. Components such as home visits and in-person observations of the child always occur in person, as required by the court’s directives, and we provide each parent equal, balanced opportunities to share their story.
Do you work for one parent or the other?
No. Dr. Heafey works for the court — not for the parents, not for one party. Financial arrangements between parents are not within the scope of practice. The sole focus is, and remains, the best interests of the child.
Who orders a custody evaluation?
All custody evaluations occur when a judge orders one to be conducted. Most often, one or both parents petition the court for an evaluation. Judges may also order one when they want greater insight before ruling on a parenting plan, when a family court services mediator makes an official recommendation, or when there have been allegations of abuse.
MORE WAYS WE CAN HELP
Related services
Family Therapy
Child Therapy
Court-Ordered Evaluations
LOCATIONS
Four Bay Area offices
Plus telehealth throughout California.
We are proud to provide inclusive care for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out the right path forward.
Or Text Us at (650) 993-9321