With more than 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Miriam Galindo co-owns a private practice in Irvine, California, where she concentrates in clinical psychology and social work. Among other responsibilities as a family therapist, Dr. Miriam Galindo assists in divorce proceedings as a child custody evaluator.

1. The Process of Child Custody
Evaluation
Miriam Galindo

2. Introduction
 With more than 20 years of professional experience, Dr.
Miriam Galindo co-owns a private practice in Irvine, California,
where she concentrates in clinical psychology and social work.
Among other responsibilities as a family therapist, Dr. Miriam
Galindo assists in divorce proceedings as a child custody
evaluator.
Parents who decide to divorce face the task of agreeing on
their co-parenting duties. In some cases, a court-ordered
mediation and custody evaluation becomes necessary to
determine when and how the child or children will spend time
with each parent.
Either the judge will order the child custody evaluation or the
parents will agree to the process, after which a mental health
professional will be assigned to the case. The evaluator then
interviews the parents and children separately and together,
observing both responses and interactions.

3. Child Custody Evaluation
 If there are any other caregivers or persons of
significant influence in the life of the child, the
psychologist or social worker will meet with these
individuals as well. At the conclusion of the
comprehensive psychological testing, each spouse
and the court receive a copy of the report.
The report will feature several recommendations on
how the judge should rule and the divorcing couple
should proceed. These will include points on
custody, visitation, and child support.