What is a 730 evaluation and its purpose?

What is a 730 Evaluation?

A 730 Evaluation happens when an expert is appointed to a court case to help decide an issue. The court’s ability to appoint an expert stems from Evidence Code 730, which allows family courts to hire experts in a particular area.

730 Evaluations often come up in custody battles, especially when one or both parents allege abuse, or when one parent is attempting to move the child to another state or country.

How Do They Work?

The expert appointed to a custody case for a 730 evaluation will be board-certified, or otherwise meet the required licensing standards. Child custody evaluators include:

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Therapists

The expert will evaluate the child’s health, safety, and welfare by studying documents such as the following:

• Pleadings filed by either party
• Therapist letters
• Police reports
• Restraining orders related to domestic violence or harassment
• Civil and criminal case reports

It is normal for an expert to interview the child, the parents, relatives, teachers, and any other individuals who might offer information regarding the child’s welfare. The expert might also study how each parent interacts with the child to assess their one-on-one relationships. The expert might have the parents assessed to determine any psychological, personality, and parenting issues.