Navigating Child Custody Evaluations in Divorce: Ethics, Objectivity, and Legal Considerations

Elisa Reiter | Calabrese Budner

Elisa Reiter is a highly experienced Texas family lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Family Law and Child Welfare Law. With decades of experience in complex family law litigation, she is known as a “powerhouse at the courthouse.” Elisa has an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell, and has been recognized as a SuperLawyer for many years. She frequently shares her expertise through publications in nationally recognized periodicals, with over 150 articles in Texas Lawyer, New York Law Journal, Daily Business Review, National Law Journal, and other prominent journals. In addition to her practice, Elisa has served on and chaired the Texas Family Law Exam Commission and taught family law as an adjunct professor at SMU. A frequent presenter for lawyers and mental health professionals, she is honored to present for myLawCLE.

I. Understanding Child Custody Evaluations | 2:00pm – 2:20pm

• The importance of custody evaluations in divorce cases
• Common triggers for custody disputes
• The evaluation process and its impact on case outcomes

II. Strategic Approaches | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

• Preparing clients for custody evaluations
• Effective communication with evaluators and opposing counsel
• Handling unrepresented parties in custody disputes

III. Case Studies and Best Practices | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

• Real-world examples of complex custody evaluations
• Strategies for challenging or supporting evaluation findings
• Balancing client interests with ethical obligations

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

IV. Ethical Considerations | 3:10pm – 3:40pm

• Ensuring evaluator objectivity and ethics
• Addressing implicit biases in custody evaluations
• Navigating dissatisfaction with evaluator recommendations

V. Legal Framework | 3:40pm – 4:10pm

• ABA Rules Chapter 4 and its relevance to custody evaluations
• In-depth discussion of Rules 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4
• Practical application of these rules in custody evaluation contexts