Many people see it as a pain to keep records of things such as receipts, statements, bills, e-mails, and texts among other things. While the burden of keeping these records can be annoying, their usefulness in a family law proceeding can prove quite beneficial to a person who has kept them throughout the years.
Financial obligations ordered by the court such as child support, health insurance, and unreimbursed medical, are supported by the financial documents a party has in their possession. These documents can help to establish the correct amount of child support payable by a party based on their income. If a party is seeking retroactive child support from another party, the production of prior years’ tax returns and paystubs will be very relevant in establishing a past-due child support obligation. Also, showing evidence of child support already paid through bank statements can help defray a claim of back child support.
For custody cases, things like texts and e-mails can come into play for a party as evidence of the other party’s statements concerning the child or their involvement and treatment of the child. It can also be particularly useful to show negative treatment by one party towards another or to counteract a claim by one party that they were involved with the child when they really were not.
Another set of records that can be useful is proof that notice of medical bills due is in possession of the paying party. Proof of service shows the court that the other party was aware of the medical expenses incurred for the child. It can also help establish the full amount of medical expenses owed by the other party.
There are many other records that can be useful to a party in a custody or child support case. It would behoove a parent who has been involved in this type of litigation to keep accurate records of these activities for future use if so needed. Further, keeping a diary or logbook of occurrences regarding the children can also be useful to a party to help refresh their memory or to provide to their attorney for use in a later-filed family law proceeding.