Professional Alcohol Monitoring

Soberlink Monitoring for Family-Law Matters

Reliable technology is only one part of an effective monitoring plan.

Professional oversight helps ensure that the testing schedule, reporting, and response to noncompliance remain clear, timely, and aligned with the needs of the case.

Substance-use evaluations are available for California cases only

Technology and Oversight

Soberlink provides the tool. Professional monitoring manages the plan.

Soberlink is a portable breath-alcohol monitoring system that verifies identity, transmits test results, and documents testing activity. It can provide useful, near-real-time information in family-law cases when the monitoring plan is properly structured.

When parents manage the system directly, however, the concerned parent may become responsible for watching alerts, tracking missed or late tests, negotiating test changes, and deciding how to respond. This can place that parent in the role of monitor and create another source of conflict.

Professional monitoring separates administration of the plan from the parents’ co-parenting relationship.

Professional Oversight

A neutral structure for a difficult part of the case

Plan development

A testing schedule is developed around the parenting plan, the purpose of monitoring, and the level of identified concern.

Schedule administration

Parenting-time changes and other approved schedule adjustments are managed within one monitoring service.

Results and alerts

Testing data, reports, scheduling functions, and available alerts are administered without requiring the parents to select and coordinate separate software features.

Prompt response

Late tests, missed tests, positive results, and other material irregularities are addressed under the established monitoring agreement or court order.

Clear documentation

Compliance and noncompliance are documented as events occur.

Neutral communication

The concerned parent is removed from the enforcement role, and both parties have a professional point of contact for monitoring issues.

Why Timely Intervention Matters

Noncompliance is most useful when it is addressed promptly.

Without professional oversight, a late or missed test may become another issue for the parents and attorneys to debate. If the concern is not addressed until a later hearing, the circumstances may be difficult to reconstruct and the information may no longer assist immediate decision-making.

Prompt intervention allows the event to be clarified and documented while it is current. It can also deter repeated noncompliance and preserve the integrity of the monitoring plan. The response is guided by the monitoring agreement or court order; the monitor does not make custody decisions or impose consequences.

Scope of Monitoring

The structure should match the purpose of the case

Parenting-time monitoring

Testing is scheduled around parenting periods to document abstinence when the parent is responsible for the children. This option may be appropriate when the central concern is alcohol use during parenting. The testing schedule must be established by an existing court order or a stipulation between the parties before Soberlink monitoring begins. When the parties have not agreed upon a schedule, case consultation can assist them in developing one.

Full-time abstinence monitoring

Testing occurs throughout the week to support and document continuing abstinence. This structure may be appropriate when there is a more significant alcohol-use history, a recovery plan, or concern that drinking outside parenting time may affect the children or the parent’s ability to remain abstinent while parenting.

90%

of concerned parents in a small practice survey reported that Soberlink improved the co-parenting relationship.

77%

of monitored participants in the same survey reported improvement in the co-parenting relationship.

Survey responses were received from six concerned parents and thirteen monitored participants. These practice observations are descriptive and are not presented as formal research.

Fees and Included Services

A straightforward monthly professional-monitoring fee

$300

per month

The $300 monthly monitoring fee includes professional administration of the monitoring plan. In most cases, it also includes the Soberlink data charges paid directly by More Than Recovery.

Testing-schedule setup and approved schedule changes
Available testing reports, results, and alerts
Review and documentation of compliance
Prompt intervention when a noncompliance issue occurs
Communication related to administration of the plan

Additional costs: Device purchase and supplemental laboratory testing are separate. When a device is purchased through More Than Recovery, the professional discount received from Soberlink is passed along to the monitored client.

Soberlink device rentals: More Than Recovery does not offer device rentals. Rentals are governed by a contract directly between the monitored client and Soberlink. When a client rents a device, Soberlink manages and bills both the rental and data fees. Those charges are separate from the $300 professional-monitoring fee.

Why the comparison is not dollar-for-dollar: Soberlink’s direct monthly plans price software features and program levels separately. Professional monitoring adds active plan administration, professional review, compliance documentation, and timely intervention.

View Soberlink’s current direct pricing

When Professional Monitoring Helps

Particularly useful when the case needs more than automated reporting

The parents have difficulty addressing monitoring concerns directly.
The concerned parent wants limited involvement in receiving or interpreting test information.
The parenting schedule changes frequently.
There is a history of testing disputes, avoidance, intimidation, or noncooperation.
The attorneys, mediator, parenting coordinator, or court need organized compliance documentation.
Soberlink is one part of a broader abstinence and recovery monitoring plan.

Begin With an Established Plan

Request Soberlink Monitoring

Before monitoring begins, the purpose, schedule, reporting arrangements, and response to noncompliance should be clearly defined. I am available to consult on proposed monitoring language or to administer an established plan.

Request monitoring information