Custody Evaluation

Custody evaluations provide courts, attorneys, and families with a detailed, neutral assessment of a child’s best interests when parenting time, custody, or caregiving concerns are disputed. A custody evaluation may be appropriate in high-conflict co-parenting cases, relocation disputes, allegations of domestic violence, child abuse, post-separation abuse, parental fitness concerns, refusal to have contact with a caregiver, or major changes in a parent’s day-to-day functioning. These in-depth evaluations review family dynamics, psychological functioning, parent-child relationships, and each caregiver’s ability to support a safe and stable parenting plan. Iowa-based custody evaluations require a $5,000 retainer, and interstate cases require a $6,500 retainer. Total evaluation costs may range from $7,000–$10,000 depending on case complexity, not including depositions or testimony. Reduced fees may be available for caregivers receiving public assistance, including Medicaid or SNAP.

Co-Parenting Therapy and Coaching

‍ Co-Parenting Therapy helps separated, divorced, or never-married parents improve communication, reduce conflict, and create consistent, child-focused parenting strategies. This service supports parents working through parenting time concerns, boundary issues, decision-making challenges, and high-conflict co-parenting patterns. The goal is to strengthen cooperation, reduce stress for children, and support a healthier shared parenting relationship. ‍

Parenting Coordination

Parenting Coordination helps separated or divorced parents reduce conflict, make child-focused decisions, and follow court-ordered parenting plans. A Parent Coordinator serves as a neutral professional who provides guidance, education, and structured decision-making support when parents struggle to resolve day-to-day parenting issues. This service is especially helpful for high-conflict families, families with special needs, or cases where ongoing disputes increase stress for children. Parenting Coordination is not therapy and does not replace Family Integration Therapy, but it can help reduce unnecessary court filings and support a more stable co-parenting process.

Expert Testimony

Expert testimony provides courts with neutral, educational insight on complex family dynamics, mental health considerations, attachment concerns, reunification issues, custody disputes, and allegations such as parental alienation. This consultative service helps attorneys and judges better understand clinical and ethical best practices without providing therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. Expert testimony may include case review, research, preparation, and virtual or in-person court testimony. Rates start at $350 per hour, with a four-hour minimum for Iowa or virtual testimony and a ten-hour minimum for out-of-state, on-site testimony, plus travel and lodging expenses when applicable. A 30 minute joint consultation with legal counsel is available before retention.

“Reunification Services”

Family Integration Therapy Services

AFCC NCJFCJ Joint Statement

Reunification Therapy, also known as Family Integration Therapy Services (FITS), supports families when a child resists or refuses contact with a parent due to estrangement, safety concerns, abuse history, caretaker coercion, or high-conflict divorce dynamics. These services help identify underlying concerns, rebuild safe parent-child relationships, and support child-focused healing. Some cases may be brief and voluntary, while more complex reunification cases may require careful assessment, structured therapy, and ongoing monitoring before contact can safely progress.

Because each family’s needs are different, a specialized evaluation may be required before therapy begins. This evaluation reviews caregiver history, family dynamics, child safety concerns, psychological functioning, and social factors that may affect reunification. Both caregivers are required to participate. If the evaluation confirms that therapy is appropriate, insurance may be available for ongoing Family Integration Therapy Services.

Evaluation or participation in reunification therapy does not guarantee contact or reunification. The goal is to address underlying family issues, support accountability and healing when appropriate, promote safety, and reduce ongoing harm when abuse or coercive dynamics are present.

How do I access these Services?

To access any of the services on this page, with the exception of co-parenting therapy services, please have your counsel reach out via our website, or email at candorconsultingiowa@gmail.com. To maintain neutrality for the majority of services listed on this page, we will not engage with individuals without a referral from an attorney, or other professional such as a mediator, parenting coordinator, or designated court representative. Co-parenting therapy can be accessed independent of this so long as both parents are in agreement to the services. If you are seeking co-parenting work and private referral from a therapist or from yourself is accepted.