Parties
Full legal names and contact details for petitioner(s), respondent(s), and any guardians so the court identifies all stakeholders accurately.
A correctly completed custody form frames the court’s initial understanding of the dispute, speeds case intake, and reduces the likelihood of administrative rejection or delay.
Parties, counsel, and court clerks each rely on the custody form for different tasks.
Confirm local rules for service, filing fees, and required attachments before submission.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Document Format | Use PDF/A to preserve formatting for court archives. |
| Signature Type | Use legally compliant electronic signature under ESIGN/UETA where permitted. |
| Authentication | Choose email with code, SMS, or ID verification per court guidance. |
| Filing Destination | Set routing to clerk’s e-filing portal or designated email. |
Verify the court’s accepted file types, maximum file sizes, and signature/verification requirements before preparing an e-submission.
Match your eSignature provider’s output to the court’s technical expectations to avoid rejection; confirm archival and retrieval capabilities.
Full legal names and contact details for petitioner(s), respondent(s), and any guardians so the court identifies all stakeholders accurately.
Each child’s full name, date of birth, and current residence to establish jurisdiction and custody considerations.
Clear statement of custody, visitation, temporary orders, or other remedies requested, with specificity on parenting time and decision-making.
Chronological narrative of facts, incidents, or safety concerns that justify the requested orders and support court findings.
Documented evidence—medical records, school reports, police reports, affidavits—labeled and referenced in the petition.
Proof of service steps and any required notice language so the court can confirm proper notification to the other party.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
A local legal clinic completed a temporary custody petition online to obtain an emergency hearing within days
A solo family law attorney used a standardized electronic workflow to prepare multiple custody petitions in a single session