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How organized is your case for the hearing?

Eleven quick questions about your papers, texts, dates and notes. You'll get an organization score, your next three small steps and a checklist you can print. It doesn't judge your case or predict anything. It only looks at how organized you are.

  • About 2 minutes
  • A printable checklist
  • Your answers stay on this device
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Hearing organization check

11 questions

  1. 1. Are your papers, screenshots and photos for this case kept together in one place?

    A folder, a binder or an app all count.

  2. 2. Is your hearing date, time and place (or video link) in your calendar, with reminders?

    Copied from your hearing notice, with your case number nearby.

  3. 3. Have you read your court's rules or self-help page about hearings?

    For example: in person or by video, how exhibits are handled, how many copies to bring.

  4. 4. Have you exported the text messages you may need?

    An export file from your phone or app, not only screenshots.

  5. 5. Do you have a timeline of the key events, in date order?

    Rough dates are fine.

  6. 6. Is each document or photo you may want to show labeled with a number and a date?

    For example: 1, 2, 3, with a one-page list of what each one is.

  7. 7. Do you keep a dated log of exchanges, missed visits or other events?

    Written close to when each thing happened.

  8. 8. Is what you'll bring in a binder or folder, in the order you'll use it?

    With the number of copies your court asks for.

  9. 9. If you have a lawyer: have you given them an organized packet?

    Your timeline, evidence list and messages, together.

  10. 10. Have you practiced out loud what you want to say, using short notes?

    Even once counts.

  11. 11. Have you planned the day itself?

    Travel, parking, childcare and a photo ID, or a test of your camera and connection for a video hearing.

Your answers stay on this device. They're used on this page to show your result and are never sent or saved. To welcome you back next time, this browser keeps only the date you finished and your score range, nothing about your case.

In danger? Call 911. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Press Esc twice to leave this page quickly.

Common questions

About the hearing organization check

Is this legal advice?

No. The check is general information about getting organized: having your papers in one place, your dates written down, your texts exported and your notes practiced. It doesn't tell you what to file, what to argue or what a judge will decide. Court rules vary, so check your court's rules, and consult a licensed attorney where you live about your situation.

What does the score measure?

Only how organized you are. Each "Yes" counts two points, each "Partly" one, and anything that doesn't apply to you is left out. The score says nothing about the strength of your case or how it will turn out. Two parents with very different cases can both score 100.

Are my answers saved or sent anywhere?

No. Your answers are used on this page to show your result, and they aren't sent or saved. So the page can welcome you back, this browser keeps only the date you finished and your score range, with no answers or case details. "Forget this" in the welcome-back box clears it. If someone else uses or checks this device, use a private window.

My hearing is in a few days. Is it too late?

No. Start with the first of your three next steps; each takes about 15 minutes. Then make a week-by-week hearing-prep plan with your date, and use the night-before checklist for the last 24 hours.

Does it work for protective-order hearings?

Yes. The questions are about getting organized, which helps for any hearing. Your safety comes first: if you are in danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788). On this site, pressing Esc twice leaves the page quickly. See how protective-order hearings work for background.

I have a lawyer. Is this still useful?

Yes. An organized timeline, evidence list and set of messages lets your lawyer spend their time on advice instead of sorting papers. Follow your lawyer's lead on what to bring and what to say.

General information, not legal advice. Custody Commander is self-help software, not a law firm.

Keep everything for your hearing in one place.

A plan to tick off, countdowns and reminders, a timeline, numbered evidence and a hearing binder, in one private case file.

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