Home Studies

Tom has conducted home studies, both independently and for a number of Massachusetts Courts, in twenty states in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.  While the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children makes certain requirements of both sending and receiving states, it is often seen not only as useful, but vital that the Court or parties in a proceeding have the services of an independent evaluator, who can then come back and be a live witness to answer specific questions that a Court or individuals may have about placements outside the Commonwealth, which the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children does not afford.

Often receiving states in child custody cases will accept the work of the independent evaluator as their own because of the quality of the evaluation and the evaluator.  Additionally, given the length of time that it usually takes, not only to initiate an interstate compact and get the results, but because of the need to get information in a timely fashion, it is often in the best interest of the case, as well as the child, to get a quick read on whether a placement should even be considered, let alone pursued by having an independent evaluation done out of state.

Tom has also done second opinions on home studies done by agencies within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a number of Juvenile Court and Probate Court cases, which also has led to the settlement of cases and decisions being made in a timely fashion.

Generally speaking, it costs approximately $2,500.00 for a home study, plus expenses, outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.