Brief Focused Assessments (BFA) are designed to assist the court in decision making by providing answers to a limited number of specific and well-defined questions. As such, BFAs require a court order to identify those questions. BFAs are beneficial in that they take less time to complete, typically less than 90 days and cost less than a full custody evaluation.  Prior to a written report summarizing findings, an oral report can be given to aid parties in coming to a settlement agreement.  BFAs do not make custody recommendations.