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When Is A Fast Track Used?
A Fast Track Evaluation may be ordered by a Judge when he or she would like more information before making a custody and/or visitation decision. If a Fast Track Evaluation is ordered, a Superior Court Child Custody Evaluator will talk with you, your children and the other parent. Later the same day, the evaluator will report back to the judge the information he or she has learned. This report will generally be an oral report (not written) in the Courtroom. The evaluator is likely to suggest a temporary custody and visitation plan for your family.
Who Makes The Appointment?
The court clerk will set the appointment with the evaluation office. On the appointment day, you will be asked to arrive at the Child Custody Evaluations Office at 8:00 in the morning. The appointment is for you, your children and the other parent.
Who Will The Evaluator Talk To?
The evaluator will speak with you and the other parent alone and together. If there has been any violence between the two of you, please let the evaluator know, so that you can be interviewed separately.
The evaluator will speak with the children. The evaluator will not ask the children where they want to live.
The evaluator may wish to interview other people in the family who care for the children, such as a new spouse or grandparent, if they come with you.
The evaluator will not have a lot of time, so the evaluator will probably not have time to call or speak with everyone you suggest.
Be honest and clear with the evaluator. Do not think the evaluator already knows something because you told someone else in the Court. The evaluator will ask many questions. Do not assume the evaluator does or does not believe what you are saying simply because more questions are asked.
If you have any trouble understanding the evaluator or feel the evaluator does not understand you, tell the evaluator.
Remember that the evaluator is trying to find out what would be best for your children. The focus of your talk with the evaluator should be on the children, not on things about you or the other parent that do not affect the children.
What Should I Bring With Me To The Evaluation?
Someone to care for the children: The evaluator will need some time to talk with you without the children present. If you have young children, you will need to bring someone who can care for them while you are speaking with the evaluator. Also, it may be possible for the children to leave before the Court hearing in the afternoon, so you may want to make arrangements for someone to take them home.
Information for the evaluator: Bring any school records, police reports, letters from therapist or other material, which will help the evaluator understand your situation.
Also bring the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any people who have relevant information about the custody issue and who have agreed to speak with the evaluator, for instance a doctor or teacher. However, it is unlikely the evaluator will be able to speak with all the people you suggest.
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