Filing for custody of a child is a very serious and very emotional issue. Parents or any other potential guardians going through this process want to make certain that they fill out the child custody forms accurately and appropriately to the individual state they reside in. These documents vary depending on which state you file in, but there is information that is universal across all states. Parents should have a good understanding of this information before initiating the custody process to insure that every thing goes smoothly. Here are some of the basics.

If one parent has a child custody dispute, that person would complete a summons and petition for custody. Again, the exact documents needed will differ depending on the state you live in. After these initial papers are filed with the county court, the second parent will then be served with papers. A restraining order for both parents is included, stating that neither parent can leave the state with the child or children without written consent by the court and the other parent until resolution of the custody proceedings. A response to this petition is required by the person being served if they want to dispute it.

There are fees involved with filing the child custody forms. If the parents have money woes and can't afford the fees and court costs, they are able to complete additional forms requesting the fee be waived. Information on these documents can be provided by the court.

In addition to the forms described above, other various documents will need to be filed with the court as well. Papers concerning parents income and expenses will need to be submitted to the court so that child support issues can be resolved. Those having custody issues should have financial statements prepared to accompany these forms.

Other child custody forms that might be needed are ones detailing which type of custody the parents are filing for or that have been agreed upon. Also documents describing the calendar, visitation schedule, and where the children will spend the holidays are needed for the court to close the proceedings.

These are the primary forms that can be found in most states across the U.S. If you are filing for child custody, you should do further research on what other documents your state courts might require. To find this information I suggest looking online, consulting an attorney, or paying a visit to your courthouse.