Use of Collateral Contacts in Child Custody Evaluations

Abstract

Four hundred nineteen members of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) identify themselves as custody evaluators in the 1999-2000 membership directory. One hundred of these custody evaluators were randomly selected for inclusion in this survey of the use of collateral contact interviews in child custody evaluations. Fifty-three of those selected responded to a brief questionnaire concerning their use and views of collaterals. All evaluators reported use of the collateral interview. Most practitioners reported using both personal and telephone interviews. Respondents indicated that they interview family and friends, but routinely place greater trust in more objective sources that have no obvious, vested interest in outcome. More experienced evaluators reported evolving toward use of written questionnaires for use in interviewing collateral sources for purposes of risk management as well as increasing relevance and convergent validity.Karl Kirkland, PhD, is an associate professor

Use of third party information in child custody evaluations

“…One hundred per cent of the custody evaluators surveyed by Kirkland, McMillan, and Kirkland (2005) reported relying on collateral interviews, and Bow and Quinnell (2001) found in a survey that over three-quarters of child custody evaluators reported interviewing therapists, new spouses or live-in partners, and teachers, with the mean time spent conducting interviews ranging from 0.62 hours with teachers to 1.46 hours with spouses/live together partners. When sexual abuse (Bow et al, 2002) or domestic violence (Bow & Boxer, 2004) allegations are involved, child custody evaluators report having some contact with law enforcement professionals or physicians over 90% of the time.…”

“…All of these collateral contacts may provide potentially valuable information about the functioning of the parents and children in a variety of settings. Kirkland et al (2005) reported that 81% of child custody evaluators they surveyed reported using telephone and face-to-face interviews with collateral sources, whereas 16% indicated only using phone interviews and an even smaller number reported providing the collateral contact with a form to complete. Each type of data gathering offers distinct advantages and disadvantages.…”

“…Leading and yes/no questions need to be avoided. Kirkland et al (2005) reported that 49% of child custody evaluators they surveyed reported using a formal outline for collateral interviews -which presumably provides greater standardization. However, questioning will vary depending on the particular issue or concern, type of individuals contacted, and the knowledge they have about the issues that are being considered by the court.…”

A Comprehensive Guide to Child Custody Evaluations: Mental Health and Legal Perspectives

“…AFCC, 2007;APA, 1991APA, , 1994. In a nationwide survey of experienced custody evaluators who are members of AFCC, Kirkland et al (2005) found that 100% reported using collateral interviews in their evaluations.…”

“…A number of experienced forensic psychologists have discussed these guidelines for choosing sources (e.g., Austin, 2002;Gould, 1998Gould, , 1999bGould, , 2006Kirkland et al, 2005;Skafte, 1985). 32.…”