A Guide to Handling Allegations of Alcohol Misuse in Custody Cases
Allegations of alcohol misuse can quickly complicate custody cases—raising serious concerns about child safety while often relying on incomplete, conflicting, or emotionally charged claims. For judges, attorneys, and family law professionals, the challenge lies in knowing how to distinguish hearsay from admissible evidence and determining the appropriate response in each scenario, without unnecessarily limiting a parent’s role in a child’s life.
Grounded in the NCJFCJ Judge’s Bench Card on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), this thought leadership guide explains why alcohol monitoring is recommended across all risk levels and types of evidence. It highlights the importance of objective, reliable data when making decisions that impact custody, parenting time, and long-term family outcomes.
This guide also explores how Soberlink’s remote alcohol monitoring system—the only solution that meets all Bench Card recommendations—can be applied in different evidentiary circumstances. By providing court-admissible proof of sobriety, Soberlink helps courts and practitioners prioritize the child’s best interests while supporting accountability and fairness for both parents.
In this guide, you’ll gain insight into:
How to differentiate hearsay, circumstantial evidence, and admissible evidence in custody cases involving alcohol
Why the NCJFCJ recommends alcohol monitoring across all risk levels
How to apply Soberlink for contingency, daily, long-term, and treatment-based monitoring
Key questions judicial officers should consider when assessing alcohol-related risk to a child
How objective monitoring data can support safer, more balanced parenting plans
Complete the form to download the guide to learn how evidence-based alcohol monitoring can help create optimal parenting plans—protecting children while preserving healthy parent-child relationships whenever possible.
