Best Interest Fact Finder

A Best Interest Fact Finder (“BIFF”) is a non-mental health professional, appointed by the court, and paid for by the parents, to investigate, evaluate, and make custody recommendations in your child’s best interest.  

What is the difference Between a Custody Evaluator (CE) and a BIFF?

Custody Evaluators (“CE”) are licensed mental health professionals, appointed by the court under Hawaiʻi Revised Statues [§571-46.4] to investigate, evaluate and make custody recommendations. 

A Best Interest Fact Finder (non-mental health professional), can be appointed in place of a CE if “The parties stipulate to a person who does not qualify as a child custody evaluator under subsection (a) and the court approves that person as a fact-finding investigator to the court.” [§571-46.4(b)]. In other words, a BIFF can only be appointed if both parties agree to the appointment. If you want the BIFF to make custody recommendations, you must specify it in the court order. 

Fukuhara & Blackstone BIFFs

The Hawaiʻi statute is silent as to BIFF qualification requirements. However, all of our BIFFs are trained child advocates who regularly attend conferences and seminars and they keep up to date on the newest developments on children and custody. We also provides ongoing in-house training and mentoring. We work collaboratively by case-conferencing and thoroughly reviewing all reports before they are filed. 

Our BIFFs typically interview parents at least twice, observe a home visit in each parent’s home with the children present, and interview the children (if deemed mature enough). We interview neutral third parties such as doctors, teachers, coaches, and mental health professionals (parents’ and child’s). We also ask parents to provide a list of no more than five collaterals who have relevant knowledge about the children’s best interest. We review all pleadings and relevant documents that the parents provide to us. Clients are asked to fill out detailed questionnaires. Please make sure to fill them out legibly and thoughtfully.

Important: If you have a lot of documents, please make sure you present to us in a cohesive, organized manner.