Business Details
Expert Child Custody Evaluations & Forensic Services
Real Custody Solutions has been a trusted authority in child custody matters for over three decades. Founded by Dr. David J. Mann, a licensed Forensic Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist, the practice specializes in forensic evaluations, custody consultations, and co-parenting counseling. With over 1,500 custody evaluations completed and 200+ court testimonies, Dr. Mann brings unparalleled expertise to high-conflict custody disputes, domestic violence assessments, and child abuse consultations. Our work with Orange County courts to develop custody guidelines and our focus on child welfare have established us as leaders in family law psychology.We provide second opinions, relocation consultations, and special master services to attorneys and families nationwide. Our approach combines clinical rigor with legal acumen to protect children's best interests while supporting parents through complex disputes. Backed by APA and AFCC standards, we deliver actionable insights grounded in 30+ years of research and practice. Our team's deep understanding of trauma, memory suggestibility, and parenting dynamics ensures tailored solutions for even the most challenging cases.
Services
Custody Evaluations
Forensic Consultation
Parenting Coordination
Child Abuse Assessment
Domestic Violence Analysis
Relocation Consultation
Co-Parenting Counseling
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of experience in child custody forensic evaluations
- Completed over 1,500 custody evaluations nationwide
- Testified as expert witness in 200+ court cases
- Specialized expertise in child abuse and domestic violence cases
- Developed Orange County custody guidelines with judicial task force
Associations and certifications
- American Psychological Association
- Orange County Psychological Association
Services
Custody Evaluations
Our comprehensive custody evaluations analyze family dynamics to determine children's best interests. We conduct individual and joint interviews, review legal documents, and collaborate with schools and healthcare providers. The process includes home observations and psychological testing to create tailored parenting plans addressing past trauma, current resources, and future needs while maintaining strict court compliance.
Forensic Consultation
We provide expert analysis for custody cases involving complex issues like child abuse allegations and domestic violence. Our services include report reviews, trial preparation, and deposition strategy development. We help attorneys identify flaws in existing evaluations and develop evidence-based arguments aligned with California Rules of Court and APA guidelines.
Parenting Coordination
As neutral arbiters, we implement custody agreements and resolve disputes in high-conflict cases. Our coordination includes creating detailed parenting plans, overseeing therapy compliance, and making binding decisions about education, healthcare, and visitation schedules. This service reduces court interventions while ensuring children's needs remain central to all decisions.
Child Abuse Consultation
We specialize in evaluating child abuse claims within custody disputes using advanced knowledge of trauma effects and memory suggestibility. Our assessments combine clinical interviews with forensic analysis to distinguish genuine abuse from false allegations, providing courts with reliable expert testimony and remediation recommendations.
Domestic Violence Assessment
Our evaluations identify coercive control patterns in custody cases through specialized screening tools and historical analysis. We differentiate between situational conflicts and chronic domestic violence while assessing children's exposure to abuse. Our reports help courts create safe parenting plans that address power imbalances and prevent future violence.
People
David J. Mann
Founder & Forensic Psychologist
Dr. Mann is a licensed Forensic Psychologist with 30+ years of experience in child custody matters. He has conducted 1,500+ evaluations, testified in 200+ cases, and co-authored custody guidelines for Orange County courts. His expertise includes child abuse assessment, domestic violence analysis, and parenting coordination.
Questions
What types of custody cases do you handle?
We specialize in high-conflict custody disputes involving domestic violence, child abuse allegations, relocation requests, and complex parenting issues. Our services include forensic evaluations, second opinions, and special master appointments for both local and national cases.
How are custody evaluations conducted?
Our evaluations combine parent/child interviews, psychological testing, document reviews, and collateral contacts with schools and healthcare providers. We conduct home visits when necessary and create detailed reports addressing children's needs and parenting capabilities while following APA and court guidelines.
Can you assist with interstate custody cases?
Yes, we provide consultation and expert testimony for out-of-state and international custody cases. Dr. Mann has extensive experience analyzing relocation requests and applying LaMusga factors to determine children's best interests across jurisdictional boundaries.
What is parenting coordination?
Parenting coordination resolves post-divorce disputes through a structured process where a neutral specialist makes binding decisions about parenting plans. This service reduces court involvement while ensuring consistent implementation of custody agreements and children's needs remain prioritized.
How do you handle abuse allegations?
We use specialized forensic techniques to assess abuse claims, including memory suggestibility analysis and trauma pattern recognition. Our evaluations distinguish between genuine abuse and false allegations while providing courts with evidence-based recommendations for child protection and family safety.
What credentials do you hold?
Dr. Mann is a licensed Forensic Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, and former Educational Psychologist in California. He is a member of APA and AFCC, and has served on Orange County child abuse task forces while maintaining fellowship with Prescribing Psychologists Registrar.
