DAILY CUSTODY TIP: Create a pdf directory of your child’s key documents

It is best to do things systematically, since we are only human,
and disorder is our worst enemy.
—Hesiod (800 BC)

Do you have all of your child’s medical records catalogued and indexed? How about report cards and school progress reports? Are they all organized? Can you document, on a moment’s notice, who took the child tax credit on last year’s tax return, what you paid in doctor’s office co-pays for checkups and other visits, and how much you’ve paid the piano teacher over the last 12 months?

Chances are, you’re not that organized. And that’s a shame, because having quick access to all of the records, reports and documents concerning your children can be a great advantage in a child custody case. Your lawyer will love you, and the judge will quickly recognize your level of organization as a measure of your dedication to the child’s best interests. (If you’re already doing this, I congratulate you on your organization! Please tell me how you do it, and what your procedures are).

Today, there is no excuse for stacking school records and medical records in a shoebox or stuffing them in a drawer. These records can be easily scanned into your computer system, converted to pdf files and saved on your desktop, your laptop, or on any number of online record-management programs. In fact, with a little time, you can neatly sort and classify records into folders, and sub-folders, on your computer – without spending a dime. If you choose to purchase software programs, you can carry out even more functions such as searching and indexing records on line. In just a few hours, you can gather all of your children’s records on paper, scan them to pdf format, and sort them into files with such names as (1) Pediatrician Visits; (2) Dentist Visits; (3) Soccer Team; (4) School Band; (5) Report Cards, and (6) Summer Camp.

You need not be a technology geek to do these things. If you don’t have a scanner at home, you can usually buy one very inexpensively these days, or you can scan documents to a thumb-drive at a local office center, such as FedEx Office or Staples. Saving your children’s documents will prove to be a great time-saver when you are confronted with a surprise motion in court or a child custody trial. As the Greek poet Hesiod said, "it is best to do things systematically," and uploading your child’s records into an online directory is the modern method of proving this point.

Keep records and receipts of all extraordinary purchases

How many times have you heard a non-custodial parent try to slither out of paying child support by claiming he bought the children a new pair of sneakers or he paid for their soccer uniforms? Such special purchases are not the same as child support, and you can’t get credit for giving gifts or paying for the "extras" that come along.

However, you can strengthen your position in a child custody case by keeping good records of the "extras" which you pay for. Whether you’re the custodial parent or the non-custodial parent, the making of extraordinary purchases for the children is evidence of your continuing support and dedication to your children’s best interests. A rare gesture won’t add up to much, but a pattern of "going the extra mile" can have a favorable effect in custody court. This may include, for example, buying the children new clothing at the start of the school year, paying membership fees for team sports and clubs, paying for sport uniforms and gear, renting musical instruments, or sponsoring a school trip or a camp outing,

Maintaining records is crucial. Keep a log of all special purchases you make. Keep a register of all of your receipts too. Especially if you’re the non-custodial parent, and if you’re paying child support on time, then keeping such records will demonstrate that you treat the job of parenting as being more important than a single court order. Should there be a contested custody motion down the road, it would be helpful to state to the court: "Not only have I paid all of the child support ordered by this Court, I have also paid for six all-day shopping sprees with the children over the last two years, to buy them clothes throughout the year; I’ve paid for the soccer team and the trumpet lessons – with no contribution from their mother. My receipts, totalling $2,800, are available for the court’s review."