Family law
How do I request a psychological evaluation of the other parent in a custody case?
Quick answer
Courts can order a parent to complete a psychological evaluation in a custody or parenting plan case, but they do not grant these requests automatically. Here is how the process generally works and how to make the request effectively.
Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal · Last updated June 2026
What a psychological evaluation is in a custody case
A psychological evaluation is an assessment of one parent's mental health, performed by a licensed psychologist, that looks at how that parent's functioning affects their ability to care for a child. It is different from a full custody evaluation, which examines both parents, the child, and the family situation as a whole. Some evaluations include parenting and co-parenting components, meaning the psychologist looks specifically at parenting capacity and the ability to cooperate with the other parent, not just general mental health.
The evaluator typically reviews records, interviews the parent, administers standardized psychological testing, and then writes a report for the court. Judges give these reports significant weight because they come from a neutral professional rather than either parent.
When judges will order one
A judge will not order an evaluation just because one parent asks. You generally need to show concrete evidence that the other parent's mental health or behavior is affecting the child. Examples include a declaration from the child's therapist, documented incidents, school or medical records, police reports, or messages showing concerning behavior.
A written declaration from a treating therapist recommending changes to the parenting schedule is one of the strongest supports for this kind of request, because it comes from a professional with direct knowledge of the child. Requests that rely only on one parent's opinion of the other are usually denied, since courts see accusations of instability in almost every contested custody case.
How to word the request in a proposed order
Vague requests get vague results, so a proposed order should answer the practical questions a judge would otherwise have to fill in. Spell out who must complete the evaluation, what type it is (for example, a comprehensive psychological evaluation with parenting and co-parenting components), and the required qualifications of the evaluator, such as a licensed psychologist experienced in family court matters.
Also address how the evaluator is chosen (some orders let each parent propose names and have the court pick if they cannot agree), who pays for it, deadlines for scheduling and completing it, and where the report goes when finished. On timing, a short deadline to contact a provider and schedule is reasonable, but completing a full evaluation often takes months because of evaluator waitlists, so build in a realistic completion date or the order becomes hard to enforce.
Where this fits in a modification case
Requests like this usually come up when a parent asks the court to change an existing custody order or parenting plan. In most states, modifying a final order requires showing a meaningful change in circumstances since the order was entered, so the evidence supporting the evaluation request often does double duty as evidence supporting the modification itself.
Keep the two asks connected in your paperwork: the declarations and exhibits should show both why the schedule needs to change and why a professional evaluation is needed to inform the court's final decision. If you are proposing a revised schedule as part of the modification, mapping it out on a calendar makes it much easier for the judge to see exactly what you are asking for.
Tools and resources
Where to check this
Forms, deadlines, and local rules change. Verify anything on this page against the official self-help resources for your state before you rely on it.
This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.