Rule 8.017 - CUSTODY EVALUATIONS(1) If the parties agree, a private custody and/or parenting time evaluation may be conducted and the parties shall be responsible for the costs of the evaluation.(2) Upon motion made by a party or upon the court's own motion, the court may order custody and/or parenting time evaluation. The costs of the evaluation may be apportioned between or among the parties at any time during the proceeding, including (but not limited to) when the order for evaluation is made or upon final judgment.(3) The court shall be notified by the evaluator or by a party if a party refuses to cooperate with the evaluation process. The evaluator or a party shall also notify the court if the evaluator cannot complete a report and indicate why the report cannot be completed.(4) The court may consider a party's lack of cooperation or refusal to cooperate in a custody evaluation when making a custody decision.(5) This rule shall apply to any proceeding before the court in which custody or parenting time is an issue.Douglas Supp. L. R. 8.017
Amended effective 2/1/2024.