Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Are you trying to protect your children from the other parent's illegal, malicious, or addictive behavior? Has the judge ordered a child custody evaluation in your divorce case? Sarah McDugal and I have created this 2-part video to help you get ready for a court-ordered parenting plan evaluation.
Both Sarah and I have experienced ex-partners who repeatedly dragged us through court. In our video, we share tactics and strategies to defend yourself against false accusations and unreasonable claims. We've been through it and we won! @SarahMcDugal
PART 1: 10 Tips - A General Overview of Child Custody Evaluations
00:00 How to prepare for a Child Custody Evaluation
01:00 Who trains child custody evaluators?
04:00 What is a Parenting Plan Evaluation? How is it different from a Child Custody Evaluation?
05:00 Am I required to take part in the evaluation? How do I know if it is a court-ordered child custody evaluation?
6:17 Who pays for the evaluation? Is it paid before or after?
7:13 Will I and my children be recorded? Can I record the interviews? What If I disagree with the findings?
8:18 What is the purpose of the evaluation?
9:51 How long does it usually take from first interview to final report? Can I have witnesses interviewed too?
10:50 What are the credentials of court-appointed evaluators?
11:19 What questions will the evaluator ask me?
11:48 Who licenses professional evaluators?
12:15 What about topics such as homeschooling, co-sleeping, firearms, and medical treatment?
13:07 Guardians-ad-Litem
15:00. What the Court values versus what you value
PART 2: Common Questions about Child Custody Evaluations
15:42 Question A: Must I share child custody with someone with a history of abuse, addictions or infidelity?
31:30 The Court wants proof and evidence of every claim. It doesn't matter if something is true; there must be evidence.
35:38 Question B: How do I answer questions about the other parent's parenting skills when they never spent time with the kids?
37:00 Good dads can get treated poorly in court too.
38:35 Justifiable gatekeeping by fit protective parents.
41:17 Should I call the police or report my spouse's illegal behavior before or after filing for divorce?
41:32 Should I get my kids into therapy before or after filing for divorce?
46:24 Question C: Can I educate the judge or the evaluator about narcissism?
52:40 Where to report CSA that I find on my ex's computer
52:40 Question D: What if the other parent has a history of illegal behavior, for example drug addiction, drunk driving, etc.?
52:40 What if a stepped-up plan is recommended for my drug addicted ex?
57:35 Question E. What if I have a mental health diagnosis or physical disability? What if I take medication for depression?
01:02:35 What if my child has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and the other parent doesn't take precautions?
01:03:53 What if one parent is neurodivergent (has ADHD, ADD, or is autistic) or the kids have special needs?
01:05:31 Question F. What if the other parent sends me demeaning or threatening texts, emails or voice messages?
01:06:41 How can I keep my documentation organized in a way I can find it quickly for the Court?
01:10:09 What if the other parent acts helpless and keeps asking me to help them?
01:12:00 Question G: How can I get specific help for my case. (Strategy coaches who specialize in high-conflict divorces.)
01:13:11 Question H. Can I demand sole or full custody?
01:23:46 Will the evaluator ask my children what they want?
01:23:46 Question I: Do you have any case studies? Yes. Two case studies: A fit protective father and a fit protective mother.
01:23:46 "David's Story" How a fit protective father navigated the Court system.
01:29:56 Question J. Will I have to stop homeschooling, get a job, and put the kids in public school?
MORE ON HOMESCHOOLING, contact Sarah McDugal at WildernessToWild.com
01:32:21 Co-parenting apps such as Civil Communicator, OurFamilyWizard, AppClose, Talking Parents, etc.
01:35:10 What if my ex says horrible things about me to our children?
Link to the downloadable PDF handouts. lifesavingdivorce.com/child-custody-evaluation
David's Story - one of the most powerful interviews I've done.
o Part 1: youtu.be/23NBi6GKqUA?si=kVS_8q7N2_vFnY-5
o Part 2: youtu.be/OVCex0FkO7g?si=DudAHkN0xENlL8V0
ABOUT
Gretchen Baskerville is a Christian divorce recovery leader and researcher. Since 1998, she has worked in churches in the Los Angeles area. She helps heartbroken people find strength, courage, and healing.
LifeSavingDivorce.com
A Life-Saving Divorce is a divorce for serious reasons: a pattern of sexual immorality, physical abuse, chronic emotional abuse, domestic violence, felony behavior, life-destroying addictions, or abandonment/neglect.
How to Get the Book, "The Life-Saving Divorce: Hope for People Leaving Destructive Relationships"
amzn.to/3CCBsnr As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you trying to protect your children from the other parent's illegal, malicious, or addictive behavior? Has the judge ordered a child custody evaluation in your divorce case? Sarah McDugal and I have created this 2-part video to help you get ready for a court-ordered parenting plan evaluation.
Both Sarah and I have experienced ex-partners who repeatedly dragged us through court. In our video, we share tactics and strategies to defend yourself against false accusations and unreasonable claims. We've been through it and we won! @SarahMcDugal
PART 1: 10 Tips - A General Overview of Child Custody Evaluations
00:00 How to prepare for a Child Custody Evaluation
01:00 Who trains child custody evaluators?
04:00 What is a Parenting Plan Evaluation? How is it different from a Child Custody Evaluation?
05:00 Am I required to take part in the evaluation? How do I know if it is a court-ordered child custody evaluation?
6:17 Who pays for the evaluation? Is it paid before or after?
7:13 Will I and my children be recorded? Can I record the interviews? What If I disagree with the findings?
8:18 What is the purpose of the evaluation?
9:51 How long does it usually take from first interview to final report? Can I have witnesses interviewed too?
10:50 What are the credentials of court-appointed evaluators?
11:19 What questions will the evaluator ask me?
11:48 Who licenses professional evaluators?
12:15 What about topics such as homeschooling, co-sleeping, firearms, and medical treatment?
13:07 Guardians-ad-Litem
15:00. What the Court values versus what you value
PART 2: Common Questions about Child Custody Evaluations
15:42 Question A: Must I share child custody with someone with a history of abuse, addictions or infidelity?
31:30 The Court wants proof and evidence of every claim. It doesn't matter if something is true; there must be evidence.
35:38 Question B: How do I answer questions about the other parent's parenting skills when they never spent time with the kids?
37:00 Good dads can get treated poorly in court too.
38:35 Justifiable gatekeeping by fit protective parents.
41:17 Should I call the police or report my spouse's illegal behavior before or after filing for divorce?
41:32 Should I get my kids into therapy before or after filing for divorce?
46:24 Question C: Can I educate the judge or the evaluator about narcissism?
52:40 Where to report CSA that I find on my ex's computer
52:40 Question D: What if the other parent has a history of illegal behavior, for example drug addiction, drunk driving, etc.?
52:40 What if a stepped-up plan is recommended for my drug addicted ex?
57:35 Question E. What if I have a mental health diagnosis or physical disability? What if I take medication for depression?
01:02:35 What if my child has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and the other parent doesn't take precautions?
01:03:53 What if one parent is neurodivergent (has ADHD, ADD, or is autistic) or the kids have special needs?
01:05:31 Question F. What if the other parent sends me demeaning or threatening texts, emails or voice messages?
01:06:41 How can I keep my documentation organized in a way I can find it quickly for the Court?
01:10:09 What if the other parent acts helpless and keeps asking me to help them?
01:12:00 Question G: How can I get specific help for my case. (Strategy coaches who specialize in high-conflict divorces.)
01:13:11 Question H. Can I demand sole or full custody?
01:23:46 Will the evaluator ask my children what they want?
01:23:46 Question I: Do you have any case studies? Yes. Two case studies: A fit protective father and a fit protective mother.
01:23:46 "David's Story" How a fit protective father navigated the Court system.
01:29:56 Question J. Will I have to stop homeschooling, get a job, and put the kids in public school?
MORE ON HOMESCHOOLING, contact Sarah McDugal at WildernessToWild.com
01:32:21 Co-parenting apps such as Civil Communicator, OurFamilyWizard, AppClose, Talking Parents, etc.
01:35:10 What if my ex says horrible things about me to our children?
Link to the downloadable PDF handouts. lifesavingdivorce.com/child-custody-evaluation
David's Story - one of the most powerful interviews I've done.
o Part 1: youtu.be/23NBi6GKqUA?si=kVS_8q7N2_vFnY-5
o Part 2: youtu.be/OVCex0FkO7g?si=DudAHkN0xENlL8V0
ABOUT
Gretchen Baskerville is a Christian divorce recovery leader and researcher. Since 1998, she has worked in churches in the Los Angeles area. She helps heartbroken people find strength, courage, and healing.
LifeSavingDivorce.com
A Life-Saving Divorce is a divorce for serious reasons: a pattern of sexual immorality, physical abuse, chronic emotional abuse, domestic violence, felony behavior, life-destroying addictions, or abandonment/neglect.
How to Get the Book, "The Life-Saving Divorce: Hope for People Leaving Destructive Relationships"
amzn.to/3CCBsnr As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
