DKM Home Studies

Specializing in Custody and Adoption Home Studies

Custody Home Studies Information

STATEMENT OF SERVICES

OBJECTIVE:

The main goal of the custody home studies is to present data that suggests a creative plan which maximizes the children’s exposure to the strengths each parent has to offer.

THE DKM EVALUATORS:

The role of the evaluators is to act as a neutral party agreed upon by the families. The evaluator will gather information through family meetings and other methods. Once all the information has been compiled, recommendations will be given to the judge and attorneys involved in the case. The evaluator’s role is NOT to provide therapy.

BEGINNING YOUR DKM CUSTODY HOME STUDY:

Please contact a DKM Home Studies Evaluator to initiate the home study process.

An application form will be mailed to you; it will include general demographic information (name, DOB, race, employment, etc) and forms for you to complete including a criminal background check through the Division of Criminal Investigation and a health form from your physician.

After the information has been returned to the evaluator, the evaluator will contact each parent to set up individual meetings.

Two DKM evaluators will be present at each scheduled meeting. One evaluator will act as an observer to ensure both parents have the same questions asked of them and relatively equal amounts of time are spent at each parents home. All four members of the DKM Home studies team are highly ethical and conscientious. By incorporating this new process of utilizing an evaluator and observer, we hope to achieve an even greater sense of a fair and balanced report to the families and court.

DKM CUSTODY HOME STUDIES INCLUDE:

•Visits to each parent’s home

•Interviews with both parents and significant others

•Interviews with child/children

•Observations of parent/child interactions

•Review of legal documents

•Review of health reports

•Review of criminal record from the Division of Criminal Investigation

•Review of collateral information collected

•Review of any other information central to custody evaluation

CONFIDENTIALITY:

The usual rules of confidentiality do not apply in a custody home study. The evaluator will have to gather and share information from other individuals in order to present a comprehensive evaluation.

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