How-to guide
How to document a custody exchange
Preserve the planned exchange, what actually happened, and the proof.
When an exchange goes smoothly, document it briefly. When it goes sideways, document it even more carefully. The goal is not to write a dramatic story. The goal is to preserve what actually happened while it is still fresh.
Start by creating a New Entry and choosing the exchange entry type. Add the child, the scheduled date and time, and the location. If you used a recurring exchange spot, include the exact place name so your records stay consistent over time.
In the description, note the expected plan first and then the actual event. For example: pickup was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the school parking lot; you arrived at 5:54 p.m.; the other parent arrived at 6:41 p.m.; the child said he had not eaten; screenshot of the arrival text attached. That structure matters because it makes the record easier to verify and easier to compare against future exchanges.
If the exchange location raised safety concerns, use the built-in safety checklist fields to rate things like public visibility, camera coverage, proximity to police or fire services, parking accessibility, and whether there was an indoor waiting area. If there were receipts, photos, or messages tied to the exchange, attach them before you save.
Key points
- Repeated late handoffs can matter as a pattern.
- Document ordinary exchanges too, so the record has context.
- Keep safety details concrete and observable.