A custody evaluation is a court-ordered home study that investigates what is in the best interest of the children. It involves information gathering, home visits, psychological evaluations, and interviews with the parents and children. It also includes recommendations based on factors such as mental health, drug abuse, domestic violence, and alienation. The evaluator looks at the child's life from birth to present and takes into account the parents' ability to model good parenting, parenting styles, and co-parent communication. 75-80% of custody evaluations lead to settlement, and judges often agree with the recommendations, but can make exceptions based on new information. To become an evaluator, one must have a master's degree in a related field.