Resource library
Guides, checklists, and information to help you navigate family court.
Featured resources
Responding to False Allegations
Step-by-step guide to responding to false allegations without making the situation worse.
Emergency Checklist: First 7 Days After Service
Print-and-use day-by-day checklist covering every action item for your first week after being served.
You Just Got Served — First 72 Hours
The critical first steps every father must take within 72 hours of being served custody or divorce papers.
All resources
Self-Represented in Family Court: A Survival Guide
Essential guide for fathers representing themselves in family court — courtroom basics, filing, and presenting your case.
Taking Care of Yourself During Custody Battles
Practical mental health strategy for men in custody battles — sleep, exercise, therapy, and crisis resources.
Defending Against a Restraining Order
How to defend against a restraining order at the hearing — evidence, preparation, and what judges look for.
Preparing for Your Custody Hearing
Complete hearing preparation timeline from 30 days out to the morning of — evidence, testimony, and composure.
Your Rights During a Restraining Order
Understanding exactly what you can and cannot do while a restraining order is in effect.
How to Document Custody Violations
Exactly what to record, how to record it, and what evidence holds up in court when documenting custody violations.
Your Ex Wants to Move With the Kids
Your rights when the other parent wants to relocate with the children, and how to file an objection.
How to Find a Family Law Attorney This Week
Where to find a family law attorney, what to ask in consultations, typical costs, and red flags to avoid.
DVRO Hearing Preparation Checklist
Timeline-based checklist for preparing your restraining order hearing defense, from two weeks out to day-of.
CPS Investigation Survival Guide
Your rights during a CPS investigation, what to expect, and how to protect yourself and your custody case.
Custody Evaluations: What to Expect
Complete guide to the custody evaluation process — who orders them, what to expect, how to prepare, and what they cost.
Reunification: When You've Lost Contact With Your Kids
Legal options and therapeutic approaches for fathers who have lost contact with their children.
Recognizing Parental Alienation
How to identify the signs of parental alienation, distinguish it from estrangement, and what courts recognize.
Crisis Resources for Fathers
Complete crisis resource directory — every hotline, helpline, and therapy option with phone numbers and links.
Military Divorce and Custody: Special Considerations
SCRA protections, deployment custody issues, pension division, and free legal resources for military families.
How Housing Affects Custody Decisions
What courts actually require for housing in custody cases — and what they don't.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Help
Complete directory of free legal aid, reduced-cost attorneys, law school clinics, and how to get help you can afford.
Preparing for a Home Study
Everything the evaluator checks in a home study and how to prepare your home, documentation, and answers.
Anger Management and the Court
Court-ordered and voluntary anger management — how it works, where to find programs, and how to use it strategically.
Emergency Housing Resources for Fathers
Immediate housing help — emergency shelters, rent assistance, Section 8, and veteran-specific housing programs.
Getting Back on Your Feet: Housing Assistance Programs
Every major housing assistance program — federal, local, veteran-specific — with application steps and timelines.
Guardian Ad Litem vs. Custody Evaluator
The key differences between a GAL and custody evaluator — roles, costs, and how each influences the court.
Documenting Alienation for Court
What evidence matters for alienation claims, how to organize it, and when to request a custody evaluation.
Balancing Work and Court Appearances
How to manage work obligations alongside court appearances without jeopardizing either.
VA Resources for Veteran Fathers
Complete directory of VA and military resources for veteran fathers — legal, housing, mental health, and crisis support.
Finding a Therapist Who Understands Family Court
How to find a therapist who understands custody cases, what to ask, and how therapy records interact with court.
Courtroom Etiquette That Judges Notice
What judges notice about your demeanor, dress, and behavior — and how courtroom conduct affects your case.
How to File a Motion Without a Lawyer
Step-by-step guide to drafting, filing, and serving a motion without an attorney, with state e-filing links.
How to Create an Evidence Binder
Step-by-step guide to creating an organized evidence binder that impresses judges and strengthens your case.
When Job Loss Affects Child Support
What to do immediately when job loss affects your ability to pay child support — modification, imputed income, and your rights.
Texas Custody Guide: Filing and Deadlines
Texas-specific custody terms, Standard Possession Order, Answer Monday deadline, and geographic restrictions.
Understanding Child Support Calculations
How states calculate child support, what factors matter, and when you can request a modification.
Parallel Parenting When Co-Parenting Fails
How to parent effectively when co-parenting communication fails — structured boundaries, BIFF method, and approved tools.
Budgeting for a Custody Battle
Honest cost breakdown of a custody case — retainers, evaluations, filing fees, and how to prioritize spending.
Building Your Case for Modification
How to document and build a compelling case for custody modification, including evidence and what courts prioritize.
Deployment and Custody: Protecting Your Rights
Pre-deployment custody planning, SCRA protections, and how to reinstate your rights after returning.
Communication Tools the Court Respects
Detailed comparison of OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, and AppClose — which courts prefer and why.
New York Custody Guide: Filing and Deadlines
New York custody courts, AFC appointments, Lincoln hearings, and filing guidelines for married and unmarried fathers.
Ohio Custody and Shared Parenting Overview
Ohio's unique custody vs. shared parenting distinction, 28-day deadline, and best interest factors.
California Custody Guide: Filing and Deadlines
California-specific custody filing deadlines, forms, mediation rules, and move-away case law.
Supervised Visitation: A Father's Guide
What supervised visitation means, how to make the most of it, and the clear path to unsupervised parenting time.
Creating a Parenting Plan That Works
Comprehensive template for building a parenting plan — schedules, holidays, decision-making, and communication.
Court-Ordered Parenting Classes: What to Expect
What court-ordered parenting classes cover, where to complete them online (including free options), and how to get certified.
What to Expect in Family Court
First-timer's guide to family court — courtroom layout, who's who, types of hearings, and what to expect.
Florida Custody Guide: Filing and Deadlines
Florida-specific time-sharing rules, 20-day deadline, mandatory parenting plan requirements, and relocation law.
Modification vs. Contempt: Which Do You Need?
Clear guide to when you need contempt enforcement vs. custody modification — and when to file both.
Your Ex Isn't Following the Court Order — Now What?
Step-by-step guide for when the other parent violates the custody order — documentation, filing process, and what to expect.
Managing Legal Debt After Family Court
How to manage legal bills, rebuild credit, and create a financial recovery plan after a custody battle.
Understanding Your Custody Papers
How to read your custody petition — what each section means, what they're really asking for, and your critical deadlines.
False DV Allegations in Custody Cases
How to respond to false domestic violence allegations, prepare for TRO hearings, and protect your custody rights.
Polygraph Tests in Family Court
When polygraph tests help or hurt your case, admissibility rules, and strategic considerations.
Contempt of Court: What the Judge Needs to See
Understanding the burden of proof, evidence standards, and what judges need to see in a contempt case.
Long-Distance Parenting Plan Template
Framework for maintaining meaningful parent-child contact across distance — schedules, virtual visitation, and logistics.
Relocation Laws by State: What You Need to Know
How different states handle custody relocation cases — distance thresholds, notice periods, and burden of proof.
What NOT to Do When You Get Served
The critical mistakes that lose custody cases before they start — and what to do instead.
When Can You Modify Custody?
What qualifies as grounds for custody modification, timing requirements, and how to start the process.