How to Gather Evidence in a Custody Case

Although some custody cases are a cooperative effort between parents, other cases may be met with hostility, negative emotions or accusations of child abuse or neglect. In these instances, it is necessary for parents to gather as much evidence as possible to ensure the child's best interest is served.

• Gather records pertaining to the child custody case. Include all medical records, such as immunizations, annual pediatric check-ups and any psychological examinations. Find other important documentation as well, like school records or grade reports. 


• Record visitation dates on a calendar. Devote a calendar solely to keeping track of these dates for future reference.


• Find friends, neighbors, relatives or teachers who may have witnessed events related to the custody case. Ask them to document their experience.


• Write down the details of any arguments, events or happenings as soon as possible. Memories can fade very quickly or alter with time, so it is important that you actually write down your experience soon after an event occurs. Keep a journal specifically for this purpose.


• Use a camera to take pictures. This is especially helpful in cases of possible child neglect or physical abuse. Photographs of the other parent's living conditions or refrigerator contents may be needed, and you should take pictures of the child's clothing, bruises or wounds if applicable.


• Consult with an attorney during the custody process. A qualified lawyer specializing in child custody cases will be able to provide you with expert advice, while also guiding the evidence gathering process.