Prepare for a Custody Lawyer Consultation
The goal is to help your lawyer understand your case quickly: clear timeline, small evidence packet, a one-page summary, and a focused list of goals and constraints. Educational only - not legal advice.
Consultation checklist
- Bring the latest orders/filings and upcoming deadlines.
- Bring a short timeline (10–30 entries max).
- Bring a small, labeled evidence set (not a message dump).
- Write your questions down (fees, process, next steps).
- Know your constraints: work schedule, transportation, school schedule.
- Know your top 3 goals (child-focused and realistic).
What to prepare in the 48 hours before
- Summarize the case in 5–8 sentences (neutral, factual).
- List top 3 concerns with dates and proof references.
- Draft your ideal schedule and your fallback schedule.
- Collect 5–10 key exhibits and label them clearly.
One-page case brief (copy/paste)
ONE-PAGE CASE BRIEF (TEMPLATE) 1) Current status (1–2 lines) - Current order: [temporary/final], date: [YYYY-MM-DD] - Current schedule: [brief] 2) What you want next (top 3 goals) - Goal 1: - Goal 2: - Goal 3: 3) Key concerns (child-focused, factual) - Concern: [dated facts + short context] 4) Timeline (5–10 bullets) - [YYYY-MM-DD] - [event] - proof: [Exhibit A] 5) Evidence packet summary (small) - Exhibit A: [what it shows] - Exhibit B: [what it shows]
Local process questions
- How does my county handle temporary orders?
- Is mediation required here, and what should I expect?
- Are custody evaluations common in this court?
- What would a judge likely focus on in a first hearing?
Related guides
Resource hub
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Disclaimer: MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information is for educational purposes only. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.