Reminder: write everything down

Jan 8·1 min read

Just got hit with a legal bill I didn't expect because ex is claiming I missed a pickup and I had zero documentation. Turns out a text from 6 months ago saying "cool" to a schedule change = admission I agreed to something I didn't actually agree to.

Use your co-parenting app. Screenshot texts. Email confirmations. Learned this the expensive way and my lawyer basically said "yeah, you should have records." Don't be like me.

5 comments173 views

Comments(5)

TTony M.RegularJan 8

Did you have anything in writing confirming the pickup time? That's usually what makes the difference in these situations. Sorry you're dealing with a legal bill over this though, that's frustrating.

MMark A.RegularJan 9

Text after every single interaction. Even if it's just 'got the kids at 3:15pm' or 'dropping them back at 6pm.' Your phone automatically timestamps everything. I know it feels paranoid but people don't lie as much when they know there's a paper trail.

BBen H.RegularJan 8

How much was the bill? Just trying to understand if this is worth fighting or if you should just eat it and move on. Either way get yourself a paper trail going immediately.

VVincentNew DadJan 9

This is huge and I learned it the hard way too. I now take a photo of my car odometer when I pick up or drop off and send it to my ex immediately with a timestamp. Sounds excessive but it saved me in court when she tried the same thing.

TTodd N.RegularJan 11

The write everything down thing saved my butt during custody negotiations. Kept a calendar with specific times, what we did, notes about the kids' mood, everything. Sounds like a lot but it's probably the best investment I made.