Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Re: child custody evaluations

A judge may order a custody evaluation upon petition of one of the parties once a petition to modify custody is filed. Some judges will hear the evidence from the parties to determine whether an evaluation is necessary; others will order the evaluation prior to hearing. Most courts require mediation prior to court hearings at which the issues of evaluation and attorney fees can be determined. How costs and fees are determined in Indiana are discretionary with the judge and there is no hard and fast rule about who pays what.