What Is a Parental Responsibility Evaluator (PRE) in Colorado?
If you've been through the basics of a Colorado custody case, you may have already heard of a Child and Family Investigator (CFI). A Parental Responsibility Evaluator, or PRE, is a different but related tool that courts use in more complex custody situations. For many parents, the PRE process feels unfamiliar and intimidating. Understanding what it is, how it works, and what to expect can make a significant difference in how you navigate it.
What Is a PRE?
A Parental Responsibility Evaluator is a licensed mental health professional appointed by the court to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the family and make recommendations about parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. Unlike a CFI, a PRE is always a mental health professional, typically a psychologist or licensed clinical social worker, with specialized training in custody evaluations.
The PRE's role is to provide the court with a thorough, evidence-based assessment of what parenting arrangement will best serve the child's needs. Their findings carry significant weight with judges.
How Is a PRE Different From a CFI?
Both a CFI and a PRE are neutral third parties who investigate custody disputes and make recommendations to the court. But there are important differences:
Scope. A PRE conducts a far more comprehensive evaluation than a CFI. This can include psychological testing of the parents, structured observations, and a deeper review of records and collateral contacts.
Cost. Because the process is more thorough, a PRE is significantly more expensive than a CFI. Costs can run into the thousands of dollars and are typically shared between the parties.
Time. A PRE evaluation takes longer to complete, sometimes several months, which can affect the timeline of your case.
Credentials. A CFI can be an attorney or a mental health professional. A PRE must be a licensed mental health professional.
A CFI is often the right starting point for many custody disputes. A PRE becomes more appropriate when the issues at stake are more complex or serious.
When Does a PRE Make More Sense Than a CFI?
There are situations where a CFI's more limited scope simply isn't enough to give the court what it needs. A PRE may be the better option when:
There are significant mental health concerns about one or both parents
There are serious allegations of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
There are serious allegations of substance abuse - drugs or alcohol - about one or both parents
The parties have deeply conflicting accounts of events and the court needs a more rigorous investigation to sort through them
A CFI has already been involved and their recommendations are being disputed
The child has significant emotional or psychological needs that require expert assessment
The stakes are high enough that a more thorough, defensible evaluation is worth the additional cost and time
Your attorney can help you assess whether requesting a PRE makes strategic sense in your specific situation, or whether a CFI would be sufficient.
How Does a PRE Get Appointed?
Like a CFI, a PRE can be appointed in several ways. The court may order one on its own. Either party's attorney can file a motion requesting one. Or both parties can agree to the appointment and stipulate to a specific evaluator.
Because PREs are more expensive and time-consuming, courts and parties tend to be more deliberate about when to bring one in. Your attorney's guidance on timing and strategy here is important.
What If a PRE Is Ordered in Your Case?
If the other parent has requested a PRE or the court has ordered one, it's natural to feel anxious or uncertain about what comes next. The same advice that applies to a CFI appointment applies here: don't panic, and contact your attorney immediately.
A PRE appointment is not a verdict. It is an investigation. How you engage with the process has a direct impact on the outcome. Parents who are cooperative, honest, and child-focused throughout a PRE evaluation are in a much stronger position than those who approach it with hostility or suspicion.
How to Work Effectively With a PRE
The PRE process is more intensive than a CFI investigation, which means there are more opportunities to make a strong impression and more ways things can go wrong if you're not prepared. Keep these guidelines in mind:
Take it seriously from the start. A PRE evaluation is comprehensive and can include psychological testing. Prepare thoughtfully and work closely with your attorney throughout the process.
Be honest. PREs are experienced clinicians who are skilled at identifying inconsistencies. Attempting to game the process or present a version of yourself that isn't genuine will almost always backfire.
Stay child-focused. As with a CFI, the parents who come across best are those who keep the conversation centered on their children's needs rather than their grievances about the other parent.
Follow through on everything. Return calls promptly, show up to appointments on time, and provide requested records and releases without delay. Responsiveness signals that you take the process and your parenting responsibilities seriously.
Don't coach your children. PREs are trained to recognize when children have been influenced or prepared. It is one of the most damaging things a parent can do during an evaluation.
Work with your attorney on next steps. Once the report is issued, your attorney can help you understand the findings, decide whether to accept the recommendations or challenge them, and determine how to present the evaluation at a hearing if needed.
What If You Disagree With the PRE's Report?
A PRE's recommendations are not binding on the court. If you believe the evaluation is flawed, incomplete, or based on inaccurate information, you have options. Your attorney can cross-examine the PRE at a hearing, retain an independent expert to review the evaluation, or present other evidence that challenges the findings. This is complex territory, and having experienced legal representation is essential.
Conclusion
A PRE is one of the most powerful tools available in a contested Colorado custody case. It can provide the court with a level of insight and analysis that no other resource offers. That makes it both a significant responsibility and a real opportunity, depending on how you approach it.
At Rider Goodwin Law, we help clients prepare for and navigate PRE evaluations, respond to reports, and make strategic decisions about when and how to use this process to protect their children's best interests. If a PRE has been ordered in your case or you're considering requesting one, we're here to help.
Call us today at 303.728.4271 or click here to schedule a consultation.