In some circumstances, the Court will direct that a custody evaluation be performed.  This process is directed by a custody evaluator who reviews the pleadings in the case, interviews the parties and the children involved and then writes a report for the Court to take into consideration when making its ruling.  The custody evaluator’s report does not dictate the Court’s ultimate decision.  However, because the process which leads to the generation of the report is so involved, the Court usually pays great deference to the evaluator’s opinion.