Free Custody Journal
A free, private custody journal for fathers. Log a pickup, a missed visit, a call or a payment in under a minute. When you need it, print a clean, dated timeline for your lawyer. No sign-up. It stays on your phone.
Open the Custody Journal →Free · No account · Works in your phone's browser · Nothing is sent to DMF
Why dads keep a journal
Memory fades. Months later it's hard to say which weekend was missed, which call went unanswered, or when the last payment went out. A short note on the same day keeps the dates straight, so you can talk about your time with your kids calmly and clearly, with your lawyer, a mediator or your co-parent.
It also keeps you steady. Writing down what happened, and then putting the phone away, is a lot better than carrying it around all week.
What to write down
- Pickups and drop-offs: the time, on time or late, and where.
- Missed or canceled visits: who canceled and why, if you know.
- Calls and video chats: whether you talked, got no answer, or couldn't get through.
- Payments: the amount, how you paid, and the confirmation number.
- School and doctor: report cards, appointments, and whether you were told.
- Your own misses too. An honest record that includes your late days is easier to trust.
How to keep good notes
1. Just the facts
"6:00 PM pickup at the school. Kids came out at 6:40." Not how you felt about it. Feelings are real, but they belong in a talk with a friend, not in the log.
2. Same day
Write it while it's fresh. One minute in the parking lot is enough.
3. No name-calling
Write every note as if a judge, your kids or your co-parent might read it one day. Calm notes help you. Angry ones don't.
4. Keep receipts
Put confirmation numbers in the note, and keep the paper or screenshot somewhere safe.
5. Back it up
Your journal lives on your phone. Save a backup now and then so you don't lose it if your phone breaks.
Put it on your home screen
Open dadsmovingforward.com/journal, then tap your browser's menu and choose Add to Home screen. It opens like an app, one tap away.
Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. Free, no sign-up, no account.
Can DMF see what I write?
No. Your entries stay on your phone. Nothing is sent to DMF or anyone else. See our privacy policy.
Can I print it?
Yes. Print a dated timeline or save it as a PDF to share with your lawyer.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general information. Rules are different in every state. A family law attorney or your local legal aid office can tell you what matters in your case. A court decides what it accepts.
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Dads Moving Forward is a community for every father. General information only, not legal advice.