Ohio Sup.R. 8.13

(A) Order

Upon motion of a party, guardian ad litem, counsel for a child, or on its own initiative, a

court of common pleas may order a custody evaluation to aid the court in evaluating the

best interest of a child in a contested custody or parenting visitation case.

(B) Description of custody evaluation

Unless contraindicated in the judgment of the custody evaluator or limited by the order of

appointment, a custody evaluation shall include but is not limited to all of the following:

(1) Information obtained through interviews, joint or individual, with each

party seeking custody or parenting visitation;

(2) Information obtained through interviews with each child;

(3) Information obtained through interviews with stepparents, significant

others, or any other adult residing in the home;

(4) Information obtained through interviews with step or half siblings residing

in the home;

(5) Information obtained from child care providers, schools, counselors,

hospitals, medical professionals, social service agencies, guardians ad litem,

and law enforcement agencies;

(6) Information from home visits or observations of each child with the

appropriate adults involved;

(7) Results of clinical tests administered;

(8) History of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, psychiatric

illness, and involvement with the legal system;

(9) Investigation into any other relevant information about the child’s needs.