Rule 91.04 - Custody Evaluation(A) OrderUpon motion of a party, guardian ad litem, counsel for a child, or on its own initiative, a court of common pleas may order a custody evaluation to aid the court in evaluating the best interest of a child in a contested custody or parenting visitation case.
(B) Description of custody evaluationUnless contraindicated in the judgment of the custody evaluator or limited by the order of appointment, a custody evaluation shall include but is not limited to all of the following:
(1) Information obtained through interviews, joint or individual, with each party seeking custody or parenting visitation;(2) Information obtained through interviews with each child;(3) Information obtained through interviews with stepparents, significant others, or any other adult residing in the home;(4) Information obtained through interviews with step or half siblings residing in the home;(5) Information obtained from child care providers, schools, counselors, hospitals, medical professionals, social service agencies, guardians ad litem, and law enforcement agencies;(6) Information from home visits or observations of each child with the appropriate adults involved;(7) Results of clinical tests administered;(8) History of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, psychiatric illness, and involvement with the legal system;(9) Investigation into any other relevant information about the child's needs.Ohio. R. Superi. Ct. 91.04
Adopted May 11, 2021, effective 9/1/2022.