Dr. Miriam Galindo is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Irvine, California. Her services include family reunification counseling, co-parenting counseling, and child custody evaluations. Dr. Miriam Galindo has handled 286 child custody evaluations since 2005.

1. What to Expect in Child Custody
Evaluation Procedures
Miriam Galindo

2. Introduction
• Dr. Miriam Galindo is a licensed clinical psychologist based in
Irvine, California. Her services include family reunification
counseling, co-parenting counseling, and child custody evaluations.
Dr. Miriam Galindo has handled 286 child custody evaluations since
2005.
Child custody evaluations are ordered by courts in order to
determine what is best for the children in the middle of a high-
conflict divorce, where couples cannot agree on a custody and
visitation plan. In these cases the court orders an evaluator to
recommend a plan for the family. The parents can choose to use the
recommendation to reach a settlement. If not, the court orders them
to follow the recommendations based on the outcome of the
evaluation.
The following steps are part of the evaluation:

3. Child Custody Evaluation
• 1. The evaluator interviews each parent and child at least two times.
2. The evaluator observes the child/children with each parent.
3. There is a review of the court documents and other written
information.
4. The evaluator contacts other collateral sources, such as teachers,
pediatricians, and therapists, etc.
5. The evaluator presents a written report with specific
recommendations about custody and visitation plans, as well as
other concerns of both parents.
The information collected during the evaluation is not confidential.
It is owned by the court and is used in accordance with the law. The
evaluator is required to explain the limits of confidentiality to all the
participants of the evaluation.