DAD/NPG

THE REFERENCE DESK / FREE TO READ

A clearer record.
A better starting point.

Practical guides for documenting events, organizing sources, and preparing for a useful conversation. Read the guidance. Check the references. Make your next entry with more clarity.

Start with the guides

01 / PRACTICAL GUIDANCE

Begin with the record.

Three short guides.
No membership required.

DOCUMENT / 014 min

Write the event down. Leave the motive out.

Turn a difficult moment into a clear record someone else can follow.

Read the guide
DOCUMENT / 024 min

Keep the source behind the story.

Organize original files, working copies and a simple evidence index.

Read the guide
PREPARE / 034 min

Make the sequence easy to follow.

Prepare a balanced chronology for your own review or a conversation with a lawyer.

Read the guide

02 / OFFICIAL REFERENCES

Go to the source.

Start with California.
Check your local requirements.

These links lead to official court resources. They are free to access independently of DAD/NPG. The links do not imply court endorsement of this service.

01

California · Family law

Documents for a family law hearing

Official information about supporting documents, witness statements, filing and service for family law hearings.

California Courts · Self-Help Guide · Opens external site
02

California · Family law

Child custody & parenting time

An official starting point for understanding custody and parenting-time procedures.

California Courts · Self-Help Guide · Opens external site
03

California · Statewide forms

Find your court forms

Search official statewide forms by topic or form number. Confirm current instructions and local requirements with your court.

California Courts · Self-Help Guide · Opens external site
04

California · Local support

Find a self-help center

Find court self-help resources by city, county or ZIP code.

California Courts · Self-Help Guide · Opens external site

03 / HOW TO READ THIS SECTION

Know what kind
of guidance it is.

Practical guidance is our editorial work.

The guides offer ways to organize and describe information. They are not individualized legal advice, therapy, court instructions, or a guarantee of a result.

Official requirements belong to the source.

Legal and procedural references are labeled by publisher and location. Requirements can change; confirm the current instructions with your court or a qualified professional.

Research needs its own evidence.

We do not treat a behavior label as a diagnosis or proof of motive. Any future research summaries will identify the study, population, findings and limitations. The first edition contains practical guides and official references.

Read our editorial & contributor standards ↗

Editorial review: · By DAD/NPG
Found an error? Send a correction.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Start with one event.

Use the free timeline or take the printable kit with you.

Open The Record Get the free Documentation Kit