The friend of the court can evaluate cases and recommend parenting time schedules. The friend of the court makes a recommendation whenever the court requests one. Some friend of the court offices are able to evaluate cases on their own under certain circumstances.

• The friend of the court does a parenting time evaluation when the court orders it to do so. Sometimes, the friend of the court will initiate an evaluation on its own in order to resolve a parenting time dispute.
  
  
• To have the friend of the court make an evaluation, someone must file a motion for parenting time with the court.
  
  
• If a parent complains to the friend of the court about the current parenting time schedule, the friend of the court may choose to file a motion and make a recommendation to the court. The friend of the court does not have to do this. If it does not, a parent will have to file a motion to change parenting time in order to have the court order an evaluation by the friend of the court.
  
  
• Alternatively, the parents may agree to use mediation or other alternative dispute resolution to change a parenting time order.

For more information, see the The Evaluation and Recommendation Process.