A court may appoint a mental health professional or professionals to evaluate adults and children in any case involving custody and visitation, delinquency, persons in need of supervision, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, family offense, and adoption wherein compensation is paid privately or pursuant to Judiciary Law, § 35 or County Law, article 18-B. Such appointments shall be from the mental health professionals panel promulgated pursuant to these rules. A court, upon a finding of good cause, may appoint a mental health professional who is not a member of the mental health professionals panel. The court's finding shall be set forth in order of appointment. This section shall not apply to providers of mental health services pursuant to a governmental contract.

The court appointing a mental health professional shall issue a written order setting forth the terms and conditions of the appointment including the method and rate of compensation and by whom such compensation is to be paid. A copy of the order shall be provided to the mental health professional and to every party to the case, including the attorney, if any, for each child.