Brief Focused Assessment

Clear, reliable answers to the specific questions that matter most to the court.

Brief focused assessments in Fort Wayne

Some family court questions do not require a full evaluation of the entire family. A judge may simply need to understand one issue well: a child's wish to change homes, a concern about a parent's substance use, or whether a child is ready to reconnect with a parent who has been absent.

A Brief Focused Assessment (BFA) is designed for exactly these situations. It is a court-ordered assessment of one to three narrowly defined questions, conducted in keeping with the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Guidelines for Brief Focused Assessment. Because the scope is focused, a BFA can often provide the court with information more quickly, at lower cost, and with less intrusion on children and families than a full Parenting Plan Evaluation.

I serve as an impartial examiner. My role is to gather information carefully and report clearly on the questions the court has asked, with steady attention to the well-being of the children at the center of every case.

Questions a BFA can address

  • A child's stated preference and whether the child's reasoning is developmentally appropriate

  • Concerns about parental influence on a child's statements or wishes

  • Whether a parent's mental health or substance use affects safety during parenting time

  • Whether supervised parenting time is needed to protect a child

  • Whether, and under what conditions, to reunite a child with a long-absent parent

  • Safe, careful resumption of contact with a young child after unsubstantiated concerns

  • A developmentally appropriate schedule for a very young child or a child with special needs, once custody is settled

  • The dynamics behind a child's alignment with one parent, and how the relationship might improve

When another evaluation fits better

A BFA does not decide the overall custody arrangement. When the court needs a broad, long-term picture, such as overall custody, relocation, general parenting capacity, or complex patterns of maltreatment or domestic violence, a comprehensive Parenting Plan Evaluation is the right tool. When the central question is how parenting time should be scheduled, a Parenting Time Evaluation may be the better fit.

I am glad to help attorneys determine which service best fits a case before an order is drafted.

What the assessment involves

Each assessment is tailored to the court's questions. Most include:

  • Individual interviews with each parent

  • Interviews with children, when developmentally appropriate

  • Observation of each parent with the children, when appropriate

  • Contacts with relevant professionals or caregivers, and review of records

  • Psychological testing or a home visit, only when the question calls for it

  • A concise written report to the court addressing each referral question and noting any limits of the data

Before we begin, both parties receive written information about my procedures, fees, the limits of confidentiality, and who will receive the report. I do not provide therapy or counseling to anyone participating in an assessment.

Requesting a BFA

A BFA begins with a court order. To be most useful, the order should:

  1. Name David Lombard, PhD, as the assessor

  2. State one to three specific, well-defined questions

  3. Make clear what is and is not being asked

  4. Specify who should receive the report

  5. Authorize collateral contacts and records review

Attorneys are welcome to contact my office before drafting an order to confirm availability and whether the proposed questions fit the BFA model. To protect the fairness of the process, I do not discuss the substance of a case with either party's counsel or the court outside the formal process. I disclose any prior relationship with participants before accepting an appointment.

Fees

  • Retainer: $6,000

  • Hourly rate: $300 per hour, billed against the retainer

  • Court testimony: $450 per hour

If the retainer is used before the work is complete, I provide an estimate of remaining hours and request an additional retainer before continuing.

Get started

If you are considering a Brief Focused Assessment for a client or your family, I welcome your call. Together we can make sure the court receives the clear, careful information it needs to help the family move forward.

Schedule a Consultation · (260) 459-2900 · David@DavidLombard.com