Legal Case Evaluation Services
Evaluation services are designed to answer specific psycho-legal questions in a clear, defensible, and trauma-sensitive way. These services are available only by referral from attorneys and are never provided to unrepresented litigants (i.e., people who are handling their own litigation, without an attorney). Each evaluation is structured to translate complex psychological and social histories into documentation that can support legal strategy, negotiation, and decision-making.
Immigration Evaluations (VAWA, Hardship, Asylum)
Immigration-related mental health evaluations can provide critical context in cases where psychological harm, extreme hardship, or persecution are central to the legal question. These evaluations are completed only at the request of immigration attorneys and are not offered directly to applicants without counsel.
Immigration evaluation services include...
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VAWA evaluations documenting the impact of intimate partner violence or abuse.
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Extreme hardship evaluations describing the psychological impact on qualifying relatives if a loved one must leave or cannot remain in the United States.
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Asylum-related mental health evaluations documenting the impact of past persecution, torture, or trauma and its ongoing effects.
An immigration evaluation typically involves:
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Consultation with retaining counsel to clarify the legal standard and key questions to be addressed.
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In-depth clinical interviews with the client (and, when appropriate, collateral contacts).
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Targeted screening or psychological measures, when clinically and legally indicated.
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Review of relevant supporting records, such as medical, mental health, academic, or legal documents.
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A written report linking clinical findings to the legal framework in clear, accessible language.
The goal is to provide objective, thorough documentation of psychological harm and resilience factors in a way that can meaningfully support the legal argument, while remaining grounded in clinical standards.
Transition & Mitigation Evaluations
Transition and mitigation evaluations focus on understanding a person’s mental health history, trauma exposure, development, and current functioning in the context of criminal or quasi-criminal matters. These evaluations are requested by attorneys when the psychological story behind the charges, behavior, or risk is essential for plea negotiations, sentencing, or release planning.
Mitigation- or transition-focused evaluations may be appropriate when...
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There is a significant history of trauma, neglect, or adverse childhood experiences that may have shaped behavior.
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Mental health conditions, neuro-developmental differences, or cognitive limitations may have affected judgment, impulse control, or decision-making.
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Substance use, brain injury, or medical issues intersect with risk or treatment needs.
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Counsel, the court, or the supervising authority needs clear guidance on treatment-focused conditions, supports, or level-of-care recommendations.
These evaluations generally include:
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Comprehensive clinical interviews and history-taking, including developmental, educational, social, and occupational history.
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Review of records such as prior evaluations, treatment notes, school records, and case materials.
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Integration of findings into a narrative that helps courts and decision-makers understand the person in context, along with specific recommendations for care and/or supervision.
The emphasis is on providing a clinically grounded, nuanced understanding that can inform more humane and effective legal outcomes for the client.
Family, Parenting, and Custody Evaluations
Family, parenting, and custody evaluations are used when questions about parenting capacity, co-parenting dynamics, or children’s psychological needs are before the court. These services are provided only when an attorney retains the evaluator, and directly by a parent or self-represented party.
These evaluations may be considered when...
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There are concerns about a parent’s mental health, substance use, or trauma history and its impact on parenting.
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There are concerns about the child’s behavior or mental health, and parental capacity to support and provide necessary medical care for that child.
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Adoption or a familial custody change is underway, and a home assessment is needed.
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Allegations of domestic violence or child maltreatment require careful assessment.
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The court or parties need an independent assessment of custody or parenting-time arrangements.
A family or custody-related evaluation typically involves:
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Interviews with each parent or caregiver and, when appropriate, with the child or children.
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Observation of parent–child interactions and family dynamics, when indicated.
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Review of court documents, prior evaluations, educational and medical records, and other relevant material.
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Use of structured tools or questionnaires to inform understanding of parenting practices, stressors, and protective factors.
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A report focused on addressing questions of safety and well-being for all involved, with clear recommendations tied to specific findings.
Throughout, the work remains neutral and aligned with applicable professional guidelines for custody and parenting evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Evaluation Services
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Who can request an evaluation?
All evaluation services are available only when requested and retained by an attorney. Evaluations are not provided directly to individuals, families, or self-represented litigants. If an unrepresented person inquires, they will be encouraged to seek legal counsel and, if appropriate, have their attorney contact the practice.
2.
I can’t afford to hire an attorney, but I really need an evaluation report. Can you make an exception and work with me (or my family)?
No. Evaluation services are only provided to attorneys because each evaluation is specifically designed to answer legal questions, as part of a coherent legal strategy. Without an attorney to devise a legal strategy for your case, an evaluation report will likely be ineffective in helping your case and may even harm your legal interests. If you can’t afford to hire an attorney, you should review legal aid and bar association resources in your community. These resources often provide options for affordable (or free) legal help.
3.
What is the difference between therapy and an evaluation? Can an evaluator later provide the services they recommended for the client?
Therapy focuses on ongoing treatment and support, guided primarily by clinical goals. Evaluations are time-limited, question-driven assessments designed to answer specific psycho-legal questions posed by an attorney or court. An evaluation culminates in a written report (and, when requested, testimony); it does not include ongoing therapeutic treatment. Providing therapy to an evaluation client (or vice versa, providing an evaluation to a therapy client) is likely to violate the counseling ethics prohibition against dual role relationships. With few exceptions, these relationships should be separate and distinct.
4.
How long does the evaluation process take? Can you complete an evaluation quickly?
Timelines vary based on case complexity, record volume, scheduling, and legal deadlines. In general, immigration evaluations may be completed within several weeks of the clinical interview and receipt of records, while more complex mitigation or custody-related evaluations can take longer. When counsel inquires, estimated timeframes can be discussed in light of specific case needs and court schedule. However, counsel should be advised that several weeks are often the minimum amount of time required for a quality evaluation.
5.
What information or records do you need?
For most evaluations, counsel would be asked to provide relevant legal documents (petitions, complaints, indictments, police reports, affidavits), prior mental health and medical records, school records, and any previous evaluations that may inform the current referral. Generally, any relevant records are useful, including adverse records. Additional materials may be requested depending on the referral question and evaluation type.
6.
Do you testify in court about your evaluations?
Testimony may be available in appropriate cases when arranged in advance with retaining counsel and subject to expert-witness arrangements. Please keep in mind that testimony will limit the expert’s ability to maintain client confidentiality and privilege, and thus, should be planned-for in advance. The need for testimony, the anticipated scope, and any jurisdictional limitations can be discussed during the initial consultation.
7.
How can evaluation services be paid-for? How much do these services cost?
The cost of an evaluation varies based on its scope and the amount of information to be gathered or reviewed. Hourly rates and basic billable categories are provided here. During your initial consultation call, we can discuss an estimate for the cost of the evaluation and arrive at an agreed-upon arrangement. Evaluation services are usually billed to the client, through their attorney, or funded through court costs. If your case requires a different arrangement, please be sure to discuss these needs during the initial consultation call.
8.
Do you ever perform evaluations pro-bono?
Yes. Pro-bono work can sometimes be arranged, depending on case fit, scheduling, and other factors. Attorneys are welcome to reach out to inquire about pro-bono cases.