This Family Court Pattern Tracker will help you document evidence in a structured, easy way so the court can visibly see the patterns of possible coercive control — not just hear your words.
👉 INSTANT ACCESS: Instant Google Sheets link delivered after purchase — makes a copy to your Drive. Fill on phone.
How to Use It (30 seconds):
Start at the BOTTOM tabs of the spreadsheet. Click each section tab and move across to fill in your observations. Your evidence and patterns become instantly clear for court.
This guide is for you if you're looking to:
Stop being dismissed as "high conflict"
Show the course of conduct, not just one bad day
Prove how behaviors impact your child
Document your protective responses (what judges actually want to see)
Stop writing "he's a narcissist." Start showing pattern.
Courts don't act on feelings. They act on Date | Behavior | Impact | Your Protective Response — the course of conduct standard per Evan Stark.
This is the tracker I created for protective parents advocating for their child in family court when they are navigating a coercive controller.
Inside Your Tracker:
✓ Court-Ready Columns: Date | Behavior/Pattern (verbatim quotes) | Impact/Outcome on Child | Protective Response (how you protected) + more tabs at bottom
✓ 3 Real-World Pre-Filled Examples:
Address changed without notice
Parenting time cancelled, no notice
Child using adult language he doesn't normally use (coaching/corrupting)
✓ Built on Evidence Standards: CAPTA mental injury | NCJFCJ coercive control bench book | APSAC terrorizing / corrupting / spurning
✓ Google Sheets Instant Copy Link: Fill on your phone at pickup, exchange, or after a call. Timestamped. Attorney-ready.
Less than 10 minutes of attorney time, but gives your attorney 10 hours of pattern evidence. What
Fill on your phone at pickup.
By Margaret M FitzGerald, LCSW | The Maverik Therapist | CHOP-trained | Family Court Survivor
Educational information only, not legal advice. Please bring to your attorney.
See you inside my"Parenting Through Family Court" group for more training and support!
1:1 coaching available for further individualized support here
