The Importance Of Documenting Communication During Custody Disputes: A Guide For Maryland Residents

In the midst of a custody dispute, documenting communication is essential to protecting your rights and ensuring a fair outcome. From texts and emails to verbal conversations, keeping a thorough record can help demonstrate patterns of behavior, giving you the tools to build a stronger case and safeguard your child’s best interests.

In this article, you can discover…

• What types of communication to document during custody disputes.
• How keeping a communication log can help your case.
• How to document social media use during custody battles.

What Types Of Communication Should Be Documented During Custody Battles In Maryland?

Any type of written communication, such as texts, emails, and hand-written notes, should be saved and documented. This can be done by storing paper communications, preserving or screenshotting emails, and screenshotting texts.

Verbal conversations can also be recalled and documented in a journal or a note-taking app. Be sure to note the date of the verbal conversation, its context and topic, who said what, and the outcome of that conversation. Try to recall the conversation as accurately as possible, noting unique words or phrases that you and the other party used.

Remember that anything you say to the other party can be used as evidence in court. Be very mindful and careful of what you say, write, or text to the other party and be sure not to disparage the other parent to your child.

How Does Keeping A Communication Log Help In Custody Cases?

A communication log can be one of the most important tools to document conversations and dynamics between you and the other party. Both written and verbal communication should be saved and logged. This log can also be used as evidence to show whether or not you and the other party can communicate effectively regarding the child.  For example, it would be important to document conversations about major issues affecting the child’s well-being such as their education and medical care.

Attorney Robert Greenberg is a dedicated family law attorney serving Maryland. For nearly 10 years, he’s helped clients just like you document communication successfully during custody disputes and move forward with greater clarity and understanding.

Have questions, or in need of legal help? Reach out to Greenberg Legal Group LLC at (410) 673-4888 for an initial consultation today.

What Are The Risks Of Failing To Document Communication During A Maryland Custody Dispute?

If communications are not properly documented or preserved, it can be much harder to use those communications as evidence in your case.  If you get a text message that you feel demonstrates the other party’s inability to keep appointments or pick your child up on time, it’s important to keep this text in case the issue comes up later in your case.

Be diligent about keeping records; the less evidence you have of your own fitness as a parent or the other party’s lack of fitness, the less likely you are to get a custody ruling that truly reflects real-life dynamics or the best interests of your child.

How Can Or Should Social Media Interactions Be Documented For Custody Cases?

A direct message or comments from the other party on social media can be screenshotted and saved. Many social media sites and apps have a way for you to download your complete social media history, including direct messages, posts, and comments.

Downloading this data will give you the most complete picture possible of your social media history, as well as any responses posted by or about the other parent.

A Few Words Of Wisdom To Keep In Mind

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are under the microscope the second you begin to have a custody dispute with the other parent. Everything you say, do, text, and post can be sought, scrutinized and used by a Court to determine the outcome of your custody case.

Many people say or text things in a moment of anger, especially anger at the other parent. The best course of action is always to take a step back, think, and ask yourself how a Judge might view your words or actions.

Being more mindful of what you say can greatly help your case, reduce tensions with the other parent, and make dynamics easier for you and your child in the long run.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started? For more information on Documenting Communication During Custody Disputes, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (410) 673-4888 today.