What to document for custody (and how to keep it simple)
Updated October 12, 2026 · 4-minute read
Lawyers often ask parents for dates, times and a pattern. Not how it felt: what happened, and when. A simple record you keep as you go is easier to share than a story rebuilt months later from memory. Here is what parents usually put in a custody log (or custody journal), and how to keep it short.
The 5 things parents usually write down
- Custody days. Who the children were with each day. One line a day is enough.
- Exchanges. Each pickup and drop-off: date, planned time, actual time, place, and whether it was on time, late, didn't happen or was cancelled with notice.
- Shared expenses. What it was for, how much, who paid, the receipt, and the date you asked the other parent for their share.
- Messages and calls that matter. A schedule change, a request, a missed reply. Save the original messages, and write one line for calls.
- Notes about events. Anything else worth remembering, written down the same day.
How to write an entry: facts, not feelings
Write only what happened: who, what, when and where. Leave out guesses about why, and labels for the other parent. Short, neutral notes are easier to read.
- Write it the same day, while the details are fresh.
- Use exact times and places when you have them.
- One event per entry.
- If you add something later, say so: "Added on May 14 about May 12."
Custody journal example: a sample week
Here is what one ordinary week can look like in a simple log. The names and details are made up.
| Day | Entry |
|---|---|
| Mon | Custody day: with me. |
| Tue | Custody day: with me. Dentist checkup, $85.00, paid by me. Receipt saved. |
| Wed | Exchange at school, planned 3:15 PM, on time. Custody day: with co-parent. |
| Thu | Custody day: with co-parent. Text asking to swap Saturday for Sunday next week. Replied yes. |
| Fri | Exchange at home, planned 6:00 PM, arrived 6:35 PM, no message before. Custody day: with me. |
| Sat | Custody day: with me. Asked for half of the dentist bill ($42.50) by text. |
| Sun | Custody day: with me. |
Each line takes a few seconds. At the end of the month, the same entries tell you how many days the children spent in each home, how many exchanges happened and how much is still owed.
Free printable: Custody journal template
One page, US Letter: date, custody day, exchange and notes. No email, no sign-up.
How often to update it
- Every day: one line for who the children were with.
- At every exchange: the time it happened and anything unusual.
- When you pay: the amount and the receipt, before you lose it.
- Once a month: fill any gaps, count the totals and save a copy somewhere safe.
If you miss a few days, don't guess. Leave the gap, or add the entry later and note when you added it.
Paper, spreadsheet or app?
Any of them can work if you keep it up. Whatever you use, look for these:
- A date on every entry.
- A place for receipts and the date you asked to be paid back.
- A way to count: days, exchanges, money owed.
- A clean way to share it, like a PDF.
- A backup copy kept somewhere other than your phone or your desk.
How CustodyBook does it
CustodyBook is a private custody log for one parent. The other parent doesn't install anything, approve anything or see it.
- Log a custody day in one tap.
- Mark exchanges as on time, late, no-show or cancelled with notice.
- Log the expense, keep the receipt.
- Export a clean monthly PDF you can share with your lawyer.
- Your entries are stored on your phone. There is no account to create.
Free for 7 days, then $14.99 once. No subscription.
