Preserve the original before making notes
Keep the original photo or video in its original location where possible. If you need a working copy, label it as a copy. Do not crop, filter or resave the only version of a file.
Record context immediately
Write the event date, file date, who captured the file, where it came from and why it may matter. If the photo was taken later to document a condition, say that clearly.
Explain what the image can and cannot show
A photo may show a location, condition, object or timestamp. It may not show cause, motive or what happened before the image. Write the limits beside the evidence.
Link media to one event record
Attach or reference the file from the related handover, incident, expense, school or medical entry. A camera roll is not an evidence index.
Check privacy before sharing
Photos and videos can expose a child, address, school, health information or third parties. Keep the private archive secure and ask a qualified professional what belongs in a review pack.
Photo and video preservation checklist
Use this before sharing or editing any media.
Copyable media evidence index row
Use one row per photo or video file.
MEDIA REF:
ORIGINAL FILE NAME:
FILE TYPE:
DATE CREATED:
DATE RECEIVED:
CREATOR OR SOURCE:
RELATED EVENT REF:
WHAT IT SHOWS:
WHAT IT DOES NOT SHOW:
WORKING COPY LOCATION:
EDITED OR UNEDITED:
PRIVACY REVIEW STATUS:- Strong note
Shows exchange location at 17:42 after scheduled 17:30 handover; does not show why the other parent was absent.
- Weak note
Proof they never come on time.
Should this media go in the review pack?
Do not include every file just because it exists.
Does it connect to a live issue?
If not, keep it archived but leave it out of the selected pack.
Is the context clear without a long explanation?
If not, add the event record and source note first.
Does it expose private child information?
Ask for professional guidance before sharing or filing.
Make source records easier to review
Casewell lets you attach source material to the exact custody event it explains, keep a private evidence timeline, and export selected records as a court-ready PDF for attorney review, mediation or family court preparation.
Can this type of record be used in custody preparation?
It can help organize facts and source material. A court or qualified professional decides relevance, procedure, privacy and weight.
Should I keep the original source?
Yes. Preserve the original where possible and use a separate working copy for notes, summaries or redactions.
How should I share these records?
Share a focused, filtered pack only after checking privacy, safety and local process with a qualified professional.
Sources
Legal processes and terminology vary. These official sources were checked for the general principles used in this guide.