Tips for Documenting your Logs (Long)

CPA04

As I mentioned last weekend, I filed a report for domestic assault because XH became physical with me when he came to pick up B for visitation.  The police officer that came and took the report was great and and after I told him some of XH's history, he called him "Joe Dirtbag" (or "Joe Deadbeat," I can't remember for sure) and said I needed to log everything.  I of course told him I had been doing that and he had the following tips to improve my documentation in case it ever needs to be used in court.

*Log all interaction in a notebook (not electronically as I have been doing).  Handwritten logs demonstrate that you have been keeping them throughout time and didn't simply make things up the day before because your handwriting changes a little each time.  It shows more emotion. A full notebook of notes is more dramatic to a judge than several pages of paper printed off in a pretty stack.

*Log things completely and immediately after interacting with the other parent.  You will inevitably forgot details the next day or next week when you try to recall what happened or what was said.

*Take and print pictures of anything necessary.  Put them in your notebook with whatever notes you need to explain why the picture is pertinent.  Example:  I obtained and filled out the forms for XH to release his substance abuse and mental health evals to B's pedi (I filled out the pedi's address) and listed all 10 doctors he needed to send them to for release.  I took a picture of the completed forms and noted the date I gave them to him so I can later demonstrate that he chose not to send them in as instructed in the decree.  I also have several print screens of XH having B out on the town after 11pm that he posted to FB.  B looks MISERABLE in them.

*If you record anything on a video camera (a phone conversation or something), at some point, flash something with a current date in the camera's view - a newspaper, recent bill, something to show that the conversation didn't happen 3 years ago and that you didn't monkey with the date function on the electronic device.

*Keep all texts, voicemails, and emails between the two of you. (This should be a no brainer).

*Be especially cognizent of how LO is when they come home from the other parent's house.  If they eat 3 days worth of food for dinner, log it.  If they haven't had a bath all weekend, log it.  If they come home with unexplained cuts or bruises, diaper rash, etc. - you guessed it, log it.

I hope these help someone!  I'm sure others have more tips, so feel free to add!!

BeachBum1223

This is great advice!  I have always typed my notes on the computer when I got home but do think handwritten "looks" better. 

The other day at pick up LO was soaked b/c he had the car turned off (in 90 heat) - I should have taken a picture of the temp by the bank where we meet

JCGreene85

This is awesome! I have actually kept a handwritten log and I LOVE it.

achase123

All great advice.  I would have thought that all those details would go against you in court (too much information therefore the judge wouldn't get into it all). Also I always thought it was important to stick to pertinent facts and not emotional things.  Very interesting.