Many family court assessments can be completed using clinical questionnaires, a telehealth interview, review of the court order, and a limited amount of supporting documentation. Other cases require additional records, interviews, or professional coordination.
Most clients begin with a Standard Family Court Assessment. Before the clinical interview, we confirm whether the court order or referral requires additional information. If additional work is needed, we explain the scope and cost before proceeding.
The three options below describe the amount and type of information involved, not the quality of the assessment. Every assessment is conducted according to the same standards of professional objectivity.
Please Note
Outside information may confirm, clarify, or differ from information provided during the clinical interview. Providing additional information does not purchase a more favorable or more persuasive assessment. It expands the information available to the evaluator.
Three Family Court Assessment Options
| Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary information | Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment Clinical questionnaires, clinical interview, court-order review, and up to 10 pages of supporting records | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment Standard Assessment plus defined records, collateral interviews, or professional consultations | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment Individually scoped assessment involving substantial records, multiple sources, or unusual complexity |
| Outside records | Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment Up to 10 pages of supporting records, in addition to the court order | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment Additional records charged in 25-page increments | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment Record volume and complexity included in the written custom quote |
| Other people contacted | Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment None | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment One or two additional interviews at the published rate | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment Three or more third-party interviews or unusually complex professional coordination |
| Turnaround | Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment Five business days after the clinical interview | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment Confirmed after all required records and contacts have been identified | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment Established in the written scope and quote |
| Pricing | Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment Fixed price based on assessment type | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment Standard Assessment price plus published collateral charges | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment Written custom quote provided after the required sources are identified |
| Best suited for | Level I – Standard Family Court Assessment Focused cases that can reasonably be addressed without extensive outside information | Level II – Collateral-Informed Family Court Assessment Cases requiring defined records, one or two outside interviews, or limited professional consultation | Level III – Custom Quote Complex Assessment High-conflict or unusually complex cases involving substantial history, multiple sources, or extensive evidence |
Standard Level I Family Court Assessment Pricing
| Level I Assessment | Standard price |
|---|---|
| Family Court Drug and Alcohol Assessment | $750.00 |
| Family Court Mental Health Assessment | $825.00 |
| Family Court Anger Management Assessment | $650.00 |
| Family Court Domestic Violence Assessment | $825.00 |
The Standard Assessment includes review of the court order plus up to 10 pages of supporting records.
Supporting Document Review
Supporting records may include drug or alcohol test results, treatment and attendance records, medical or psychiatric records, prescription history, relevant legal or police records, previous assessments, GAL reports, relevant portions of court filings, and communications or electronic evidence directly related to the referral question. The evaluator determines whether submitted information is relevant to the assessment.
| Supporting document pages | Additional charge |
|---|---|
| First 10 pages | Included |
| 11 to 35 pages | $150 |
| 36 to 60 pages | $300 |
| 61 to 85 pages | $450 |
| 86 to 110 pages | $600 |
| Greater volume or unusual complexity | Custom quote may apply |
Additional Interviews and Professional Consultations
Each additional interview or professional consultation: $175
An additional interview means one scheduled contact of up to 30 minutes with the person being assessed or an outside source, including reasonable scheduling, documentation, and integration of relevant information into the assessment report. Outside sources may include a GAL, parent, treating professional, attorney, family member, or other person directly related to the referral question. Additional or extended contact may require another interview fee or a custom quote.
When a Custom Quote Is Required
A Custom Quote Complex Assessment may be required when the assignment involves:
- More than approximately 100 pages of supporting records
- Three or more outside interviews or professional consultations
- Interviews involving both parents
- Significant audio or video evidence
- Extensive text-message, email, screenshot, or other electronic histories
- Multiple competing submissions or substantial disputed information
- Significant attorney or GAL coordination
- Likely court testimony or deposition
- An unusual or expansive referral question
- New evidence introduced after the original assessment scope has been confirmed
Straightforward records and interviews may still use the published unit prices. A custom quote is required when the volume, coordination, or complexity cannot be priced reasonably from those units alone.
Miscellaneous Collateral and Rush Requests
Video review, screenshot review, substantial electronic evidence, material or interviews added after the initial clinical interview, and rush delivery are available only when the evaluator’s schedule and the assignment permit. These services are quoted and invoiced case-by-case. Call 800-671-8589 or email info@ndassessments.com for availability.
Court and Deposition Appearances
Court or deposition appearance: $500 per hour
Court appearances, depositions, and related professional time require advance payment based on the anticipated time involved (retainer estimate provided before appearance). The expected scope and prepaid amount will be confirmed with the evaluator. The hourly rate is based on the appearance and travel time (if travel is required) but clinician preparation time is not added to the hourly rate. See terms and conditions that apply to cancelled court appearances and depositions.
Refunds and Cancellations
- Standard Assessment fees are refundable until 48 hours before the scheduled clinical interview.
- For cancellations less than 48 hours before the clinical interview, 50 percent of the Standard Assessment fee will be refunded.
- Collateral-service fees are refundable only to the extent that the corresponding record review, interview, consultation, or other professional work has not begun. Record review time prior to the cancellation is pro-rated on the refund amount.
- Family Court Assessment fees are non-refundable after the clinical interview has occurred.
This pricing applies to focused family court mental health, drug and alcohol, anger management, and domestic violence assessments. It does not apply to psychological evaluations, custody evaluations, or other services requiring a different methodology or evaluator.
Still not sure? No problem. Call us at 800-671-8589 and we’ll be glad to help you determine which level of assessment is appropriate for your situation or call legal professionals to learn more.
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New Directions evaluators are familiar with state regulations and requirements. Fill out the form below and an advisor will reach out to see how we can help