Flat Fee-Includes Report ($2500)

Brief Focused Assessment Services (BFA) are streamlined, time-limited evaluations designed to address specific concerns in family law cases, particularly those involving custody, parenting time, or child welfare. 

Unlike comprehensive custody evaluations, which examine a wide range of issues, BFAs focus on a particular issue or set of concerns identified by the court or the parties involved. 

This targeted approach allows for a more efficient resolution while still providing the court with the critical information needed to make informed decisions that serve the child’s best interests.

Key Characteristics of a Brief Focused Assessment:

1. Narrow Scope: The assessment is limited to the specific issue or question referred by the court or parties, rather than a comprehensive review of the entire family dynamic.

2. Time-Limited: BFAs are typically completed within a shorter timeframe than full custody evaluations, often within a few weeks to a few months.

3. Data Collection: While the methods used are similar to those in comprehensive evaluations, they are more focused and may include:

• Interviews with the parents, child, and relevant third parties (e.g., teachers, therapists).
• Observation of parent-child interactions, if relevant to the issue.
• Review of documents such as school or medical records.
• In some cases, psychological testing is needed to address the specific concern.

4. Report and Recommendations: The evaluator provides a concise report to the court with:

• Findings related to the specific issue.
• Recommendations to help the court make informed decisions regarding custody or parenting time.

Common Scenarios for BFAs:

• Evaluating the impact of a parent’s mental health condition on their ability to parent.
• Assessing the child’s attachment to each parent in cases of disputed visitation schedules.
• Determining whether a parent’s substance use is affecting their parenting.
• Exploring the effects of conflict between parents on the child’s well-being.