Social Studies in Texas Custody Cases — What They Are and How to Prepare

What Is a Social Study in Texas?

A social study — authorized under Tex. Fam. Code §107.051–107.056 — is a comprehensive investigation conducted by a qualified evaluator to assess each parent’s home environment, parenting capacity, and the children’s current circumstances. The evaluator ultimately prepares a written report with recommendations on the custody arrangement that best serves the children’s interests.

Social studies differ from forensic psychological evaluations (which focus on psychological functioning) and from the Amicus Attorney investigation (which is conducted by a lawyer who also participates in the legal proceedings). The social study evaluator is typically a licensed social worker, professional counselor, or psychologist who specializes in custody evaluation.

Who Conducts Social Studies in Texas?

Texas Family Code §107.0511 requires social study evaluators to meet specific qualifications. Evaluators must be licensed professionals — typically a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or licensed psychologist — with specific training in conducting custody evaluations.

Social studies can be conducted by:

• A private evaluator selected by the parties or appointed by the court
• The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) — typically in cases involving CPS
• A licensed child welfare agency

In private custody cases, the parties typically share the cost of a private evaluator or the court appoints one. Fees for private social studies range from $3,000–$10,000+ depending on the complexity of the case and the evaluator’s rates.

What the Social Study Covers

Under Tex. Fam. Code §107.0512, a social study must address specific factors. A comprehensive social study typically includes:

The Home Visit — What Evaluators Observe

The home visit is typically one of the most telling parts of the social study. The evaluator is not just checking whether your home is clean — they are assessing the living environment holistically:

• The children’s bedroom — is it age-appropriate, personalized, and a space that reflects their presence as full members of the household?
• Safety — are there obvious hazards? Are medications secured? Is the home generally child-safe?
• Evidence of the children’s life in the home — their artwork, books, sports equipment, school materials
• The parent-child interaction during the visit — how do the children respond to the parent? Is the interaction natural or stiff?
• Other household members — who else lives in the home, and what is their relationship with the children?
• Pets and their management relative to child safety
• Neighborhood and community environment

How to Prepare for a Social Study

• Meet with your attorney before any evaluator contact — understand what the evaluation covers and how to present yourself authentically and effectively
• Be cooperative and responsive — promptly return calls and emails; schedule appointments without delay
• Be honest — social study evaluators are trained to identify inconsistency; truthful accounts of your history, including difficult parts, are more credible than perfect narratives
• Prepare your home thoughtfully — clean, safe, child-centered; the children should have a visible presence in the space
• Prepare your references — let references know they may be contacted; choose people who have direct knowledge of your parenting, not just your character
• Document your parenting involvement — school pickup logs, medical appointment records, activity schedules; bring organized documentation to the parent interview
• Focus on the children in every conversation — demonstrate that your concern is their wellbeing, not winning the case
• Do not disparage the other parent to the evaluator — moderate, specific, factual concerns are appropriate; venting is not
• Never coach your children — the evaluator will identify coached responses; it damages your credibility severely

Challenging a Social Study

Social study reports carry significant weight — but they are not final. Parties can challenge a social study report through:

• Cross-examination of the evaluator at trial — challenging the methodology, completeness, and conclusions of the investigation
• Retaining a competing expert — a second evaluator who reaches different conclusions provides the court with competing expert testimony
• Pointing to factual errors — if the report contains factual inaccuracies, documenting and presenting the correct facts is essential
• Challenging the evaluator’s qualifications — if the evaluator does not meet the statutory requirements, the report may be challenged on that basis