Massachusetts · Evidence Preparation

Evidence Organization Sheet

Organize your evidence for MA Probate & Family Court. Every document must be labeled, dated, and indexed. Bring 3 copies to court — one for you, one for the judge, one for the other parent.

⚠️ This is a template, not legal advice. DadHelp is not a law firm. Evidence rules in MA Probate & Family Court can be complex. Have an attorney review your evidence before your hearing.

Case Information

Court / County

Docket Number

Hearing Date

Judge

Evidence Index

List every piece of evidence. Label each with an exhibit number. Organize by date — oldest first.

Exhibit #	Date of Document	Document Type	Description	What It Proves	Copies Made (3?)	File Location	Tab #

Evidence Categories Checklist

Category	What to Include	Have it?	Organized?	Notes
Parenting Journal	Daily log of pickups, drop-offs, activities, bedtime routines, overnights
School Records	Report cards, attendance, teacher emails, IEP records, parent-teacher conference notes
Medical Records	Vaccination records, appointment attendance, medical decision involvement, pediatrician correspondence
Communication Records	Texts, emails, call logs with other parent — chronological, organized by month
Financial Records	Pay stubs (3–4), tax returns (3 years), W-2s/1099s, bank statements, child-related expense receipts
Court Documents	Complaint, motions, affidavits, prior orders, summons, proof of service — all file-stamped copies
Photos / Videos	Documenting time with child, living environment, activities, any injuries or concerns
Witness List	Names, contact info, what they'll testify about — witnesses wait outside until called
DCF Records	If DCF investigated — 51A/51B reports, findings (supported/unsupported), fair hearing results
Police Reports	If any incidents occurred — police report numbers, responding officer names
Co-Parenting App Records	OurFamilyWizard, AppClose, or similar — export full communication history
Drug/Alcohol Screens	If false substance allegations were made — clean test results from certified lab
Social Media Screenshots	Other parent's posts showing lifestyle, spending, or contradicting their claims

Witness List

#	Name	Relationship to Child	What They'll Testify About	Contact Info	Subpoena Needed?

Tips for Organizing Evidence

📎 Binder Setup: Use a 3-ring binder with numbered tabs. One tab per exhibit, in chronological order. Create an index page at the front listing every exhibit by number, date, and description. Make 3 identical binders.

📱 Digital Evidence: Screenshots must show the date, sender, and full context. Don't crop — full screen only. Save original files (texts, voicemails, photos) on a backup drive. Print copies for the binder.

⚖️ Admissibility: The judge decides what's admissible. Hearsay is generally excluded. Documents must be authenticated (you or a witness confirms they're genuine). If unsure, ask an attorney what will be allowed.

🚫 What NOT to include: Angry texts you sent, social media posts where you complain about the other parent, anything that makes YOU look bad. The other parent's attorney will use it against you.

DadHelp · Document Pack for Massachusetts · Not legal advice · dadcourthelp.com