Family Court Services

Family Court Services provides evaluations of custody arrangements requested by Superior Court judges and commissioners. In Domestic Relations cases where parents are in conflict over visitation or residential placement of their children, the court can order all parties to the dispute to meet with the Family Court Evaluator. The parties will be interviewed and they may be directed to psychological or other testing, after which the evaluator provides the judicial officer with a written report of findings.

Parties referred to Family Court Services are to call within 24 hours at 564.397.2326. Unless waived due to a finding of indigency, each party referred to Family Court Services must pay a  percentage of the $550 fee to the Clerk's Office. Percentages are determined by the Judicial officer and included in their order. This information can be found in Section 9 of the "Order Appointing Family Court Services" entitled "fees".

To pay the family court evaluation fee: 

1. Visit the Clerk's office on the 1st floor of the Courthouse, provide them with your Case number and the amount (percentage) that you are to pay; or

2. Call the accounting office at 564-397-2287, provide them your case number and the amount (percentage) that you are to pay.

Payment can be made with cash or a credit/debit card.