How to Write a Letter for Child Custody
Study any other documents or reports filed., Outline your letter., Gather information or supporting documentation., Draft your letter., Format your letter., Proofread your letter., Sign your letter., File your letter with the court.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Study any other documents or reports filed.
If issues have been raised in other documents filed with the court, read them so you have an understanding of the points you need to raise in your letter.
For example, if the other parent alleges that the child is afraid of you, or upset at the thought of being with you, you would want to present to the court situations in which the child was happy and relaxed in your company.
In addition to documents filed, review the factors the courts in your state consider when determining the best interests of the child.You may be able to use those factors as a rough outline of the points you need to mention in your letter. -
Step 2: Outline your letter.
Making a basic outline of your letter before you start writing will help you stay on topic as you write and also give you an idea what documents or other evidence you might need to back up any statements you make.Stick to the facts when you're explaining your side of the story.
Although you do want to counter points made up in other reports filed, or issues raised by the other parent, you also want to make sure you don't get emotional or ramble.
Instead, provide concrete examples that counter or tend to disprove the accusation.
For example, if the other parent alleges that you don't pick up your child from school on time, you might note that you don't get off work until 5:30, but you made arrangements for the child to participate in an after-school program until you could pick her up from school. , If you have documents that support your statements, such as check stubs to back up the wages you claim to earn, those should be included with your letter.
Your declaration gives you an opportunity to present evidence to the court, even if you anticipate testifying in court.
This documentary evidence can serve to introduce the case to the judge or any appointed mediators., Follow your outline to draft the body of your letter explaining your position to the court.
Focus on your day-to-day interactions with your child, and why the parenting plan you've proposed is in your child's best interests.Keep in mind that the court will evaluate your case according to the child's best interests, not necessarily whether you or the child's other parent is a better person.
For this reason you should refrain from making accusations about the other parent, especially as it regards your relationship with him rather than your relationship with your child.Start by introducing yourself and describing briefly the custody option you believe is best.
The body of your letter will provide some reasons to back up your belief.
If there are any urgent issues that hold key importance, address them first, then follow up with any other facts or circumstances.Write truthfully without speculation or exaggeration.
If you don't remember something exactly, indicate that by using words such as "approximately" or "typically."Make sure anything you describe is something you personally saw, not something someone else told you.Try to be as objective as possible when you recount facts.As emotional as you may be, you should avoid disparaging or insulting the other parent. , Check with your court to find out any necessary formatting that is required for your letter.
For example, some courts require that you place the case's caption at the top of your letter.
The caption is the heading at the top of all your court documents that gives the name of the court, the title of the case, and the case number.Your state also may require particular language for the end of your letter, or have formatted signature blocks or notary blocks available for you to copy and use., After you've got a final draft, read through it several times and correct any errors.
You may consider having a trusted friend or an attorney review your letter to make sure you've not missed any bad typographical or grammatical errors., Many courts require you to sign your letter in the presence of a notary.
You should include a signature block indicating that the information in the letter is true to the best of your knowledge, and that you are signing it under penalty of perjury., After you've signed your letter, take it to the clerk's office for the court where your custody case is being heard. -
Step 3: Gather information or supporting documentation.
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Step 4: Draft your letter.
-
Step 5: Format your letter.
-
Step 6: Proofread your letter.
-
Step 7: Sign your letter.
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Step 8: File your letter with the court.
Detailed Guide
If issues have been raised in other documents filed with the court, read them so you have an understanding of the points you need to raise in your letter.
For example, if the other parent alleges that the child is afraid of you, or upset at the thought of being with you, you would want to present to the court situations in which the child was happy and relaxed in your company.
In addition to documents filed, review the factors the courts in your state consider when determining the best interests of the child.You may be able to use those factors as a rough outline of the points you need to mention in your letter.
Making a basic outline of your letter before you start writing will help you stay on topic as you write and also give you an idea what documents or other evidence you might need to back up any statements you make.Stick to the facts when you're explaining your side of the story.
Although you do want to counter points made up in other reports filed, or issues raised by the other parent, you also want to make sure you don't get emotional or ramble.
Instead, provide concrete examples that counter or tend to disprove the accusation.
For example, if the other parent alleges that you don't pick up your child from school on time, you might note that you don't get off work until 5:30, but you made arrangements for the child to participate in an after-school program until you could pick her up from school. , If you have documents that support your statements, such as check stubs to back up the wages you claim to earn, those should be included with your letter.
Your declaration gives you an opportunity to present evidence to the court, even if you anticipate testifying in court.
This documentary evidence can serve to introduce the case to the judge or any appointed mediators., Follow your outline to draft the body of your letter explaining your position to the court.
Focus on your day-to-day interactions with your child, and why the parenting plan you've proposed is in your child's best interests.Keep in mind that the court will evaluate your case according to the child's best interests, not necessarily whether you or the child's other parent is a better person.
For this reason you should refrain from making accusations about the other parent, especially as it regards your relationship with him rather than your relationship with your child.Start by introducing yourself and describing briefly the custody option you believe is best.
The body of your letter will provide some reasons to back up your belief.
If there are any urgent issues that hold key importance, address them first, then follow up with any other facts or circumstances.Write truthfully without speculation or exaggeration.
If you don't remember something exactly, indicate that by using words such as "approximately" or "typically."Make sure anything you describe is something you personally saw, not something someone else told you.Try to be as objective as possible when you recount facts.As emotional as you may be, you should avoid disparaging or insulting the other parent. , Check with your court to find out any necessary formatting that is required for your letter.
For example, some courts require that you place the case's caption at the top of your letter.
The caption is the heading at the top of all your court documents that gives the name of the court, the title of the case, and the case number.Your state also may require particular language for the end of your letter, or have formatted signature blocks or notary blocks available for you to copy and use., After you've got a final draft, read through it several times and correct any errors.
You may consider having a trusted friend or an attorney review your letter to make sure you've not missed any bad typographical or grammatical errors., Many courts require you to sign your letter in the presence of a notary.
You should include a signature block indicating that the information in the letter is true to the best of your knowledge, and that you are signing it under penalty of perjury., After you've signed your letter, take it to the clerk's office for the court where your custody case is being heard.
About the Author
Janice Johnson
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow crafts tutorials.
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