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Free Custody Log Template
A custody log is a dated record of parenting time, exchanges, child-related expenses and relevant events. It gives you a place to record what happened, when it happened and which original files support the entry.
Same-day notes help preserve details: scheduled and actual times, an exact message or a receipt reference. A log can help you find information for an attorney without rebuilding months of events.
This template is an organizational tool, not legal advice. Ask a family law attorney in your state how records are used in your court.
Daily custody log
Use this journal for daily care, appointments, schedule changes and other relevant events. Identify children consistently without adding unnecessary personal information.
| Date | Time | Entry type | Child(ren) involved | What happened (facts only) | Witnesses | Supporting evidence (file/photo ref) | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example10/10/2026 | 6:40 PM | Exchange | Child 1 | Pickup scheduled 6:00 PM; other parent arrived 6:40 PM. Texted at 6:15 PM; no reply by pickup. | None | Screenshot 2026-10-10-01 | Confirm next pickup time |
| Blank date | Blank time | Blank entry type | Blank child(ren) involved | Blank what happened (facts only) | Blank witnesses | Blank supporting evidence (file/photo ref) | Blank follow-up |
| Blank date | Blank time | Blank entry type | Blank child(ren) involved | Blank what happened (facts only) | Blank witnesses | Blank supporting evidence (file/photo ref) | Blank follow-up |
| Blank date | Blank time | Blank entry type | Blank child(ren) involved | Blank what happened (facts only) | Blank witnesses | Blank supporting evidence (file/photo ref) | Blank follow-up |
| Blank date | Blank time | Blank entry type | Blank child(ren) involved | Blank what happened (facts only) | Blank witnesses | Blank supporting evidence (file/photo ref) | Blank follow-up |
| Blank date | Blank time | Blank entry type | Blank child(ren) involved | Blank what happened (facts only) | Blank witnesses | Blank supporting evidence (file/photo ref) | Blank follow-up |
Exchange log
Keep scheduled and actual times in separate columns. Record the agreed location and whether the exchange occurred.
| Date | Scheduled time | Actual time | Location | On time / Late / Missed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example10/10/2026 | 6:00 PM | 6:40 PM | Agreed exchange location | Late | Other parent arrived at 6:40 PM. Screenshot of 6:15 PM message saved. |
| Blank date | Blank scheduled time | Blank actual time | Blank location | Blank on time / late / missed | Blank notes |
| Blank date | Blank scheduled time | Blank actual time | Blank location | Blank on time / late / missed | Blank notes |
| Blank date | Blank scheduled time | Blank actual time | Blank location | Blank on time / late / missed | Blank notes |
| Blank date | Blank scheduled time | Blank actual time | Blank location | Blank on time / late / missed | Blank notes |
| Blank date | Blank scheduled time | Blank actual time | Blank location | Blank on time / late / missed | Blank notes |
Child expense log
Record child-related spending and keep the receipt with a matching reference. Describe reimbursement as requested, pending or received; the log does not decide which expenses a parent is legally responsible for paying.
| Date | Category | Amount | Paid by | Receipt saved (Y/N) | Reimbursement status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example10/10/2026 | School supplies | $18.50 | Recording parent | Y | Requested 10/10/2026; pending |
| Blank date | Blank category | Blank amount | Blank paid by | Blank receipt saved (y/n) | Blank reimbursement status |
| Blank date | Blank category | Blank amount | Blank paid by | Blank receipt saved (y/n) | Blank reimbursement status |
| Blank date | Blank category | Blank amount | Blank paid by | Blank receipt saved (y/n) | Blank reimbursement status |
| Blank date | Blank category | Blank amount | Blank paid by | Blank receipt saved (y/n) | Blank reimbursement status |
| Blank date | Blank category | Blank amount | Blank paid by | Blank receipt saved (y/n) | Blank reimbursement status |
How to write entries that hold up
- Write the same day. Note the event date and time. If you write later, include the entry date too; do not make a later note look contemporaneous.
- Facts, not feelings. Describe observable actions, times and locations. “Arrived at 6:40 PM” is clearer than “Never respects my time.”
- Use exact quotes in quotation marks. Copy the words accurately and identify the source.
- Separate what you saw from what you were told. Say “I observed” for your own observation and identify the source of secondhand information.
- Record ordinary exchanges too. Include on-time pickups, agreed changes and completed responsibilities.
- Add dated corrections instead of erasing. Explain what changed and when you corrected it. Preserve the earlier entry so the record shows the correction rather than hiding it.
- Keep original messages and photos. Reference the original file by date and filename. Save complete message context and receipts; a cropped screenshot or rewritten quote should not replace the source.
What not to write
Leave out insults, guesses about motives and diagnoses. Do not exaggerate an event or treat one delay as proof of a broader conclusion. Avoid coaching or questioning children to produce material for a log. Record relevant information that comes up naturally without turning the journal into an interview.
Paper vs. app
Neither format makes a record automatically usable in court. Paper can be enough for a simple routine; an app can help when entries and attachments become harder to find.
| Paper | App |
|---|---|
| Free, simple and available without a device. | Timestamps, attachments, search and PDF export. |
| Store pages safely; organize supporting files separately. | Keep related entries and files together; protect account access. |
Prefer it digital?
Prefer it digital? MyCourtDocs turns these same fields into timestamped entries with attachments and a court-ready PDF export. $0 today, $19.99/month after the free trial, cancel anytime.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a custody log admissible in court?
- It depends on your state's rules and the circumstances of the case. A log is often used to refresh memory or support testimony, but keeping one does not guarantee admissibility. Ask a family law attorney in your state how your records may be used.
- Should a custody journal be handwritten or digital?
- Either can help you keep a consistent record. Handwritten pages are simple and inexpensive; digital records can offer timestamps, attachments, search and export. Choose a format you can maintain, keep originals, and ask your attorney about any requirements for your case.
- How often should I write in a custody log?
- Write the same day an exchange or relevant event occurs, while the details are fresh. If you record something later, note both the event date and the date you wrote the entry. A brief, accurate entry is more useful than a long account reconstructed from memory.
- Should I log good days too?
- Yes. Include ordinary on-time exchanges, completed appointments and agreed schedule changes as well as difficulties. A balanced record gives context and avoids presenting only the moments when something went wrong.
- Can the other parent see my log?
- MyCourtDocs is private to you unless you choose to share access. In a case, records you rely on may be requested in discovery. Paper and digital records are not automatically exempt from disclosure, so write as if a judge will read the entry and ask your attorney about privacy.