Oregon law generally allows both parents to retain custody of their children after a divorce. However, there is no guarantee that you will be given sole custody of your kids or obtain other parental rights that you think that you’re entitled to. Fortunately, there are several pieces of evidence that you can use to obtain a favorable outcome.
Keep your calendars
Perhaps the most powerful line of evidence in your child custody case is the most recent year’s calendar. If you’re like most people, you’ll list important events such as doctor’s appointments, the school play or anything else that you plan to be involved with. Presenting this to a judge can be your way of saying that you are active in your child’s life and can adequately serve as a primary caregiver.
Get a better idea of childcare expenses
A calendar can also give you a good idea of how much you spend on your children. For instance, it’s reasonable to assume that you spend roughly the same amount whenever your kid goes to a birthday party. If your kid goes to two parties a month, you can calculate how much that event costs and how much your former spouse should contribute. You can also estimate how much you spend on medical care, educational expenses and other costs by looking at your child’s recent schedule.
Go back as far as you need
A judge will likely consider any evidence that supports your assertion that you have a strong relationship with your child. Therefore, it may be possible to use calendars from the last two or three years to bolster this assertion. Ultimately, this can prove that you have been a consistent caregiver over a long period of time, which is important if you want sole custody.
The use of calendars and other evidence can be powerful whether you’re seeking an initial custody order or want to revise an existing one. Statements from doctors, teachers or other adults may also be strong evidence in your favor.