Due Diligence—Know the Numbers
Treat the summons like a financial audit. Draft a spreadsheet that lists:
- Each child’s name, birth date, and major expenses (school fees, groceries, health care).
- The dollar value you have personally covered this year.
Precision beats passion in front of a judge.
Build the Evidence Portfolio
- Documents: Receipts, transfer slips, bank statements—anything that shows money moving from you to a child-related cost.
- Witnesses: A teacher, neighbour, or relative who can testify to who buys uniforms and groceries.
- Timeline: A one-page calendar marking the exact date you moved out and every date the father did—or did not—deliver support.
File Your Own Motions—Control the Agenda
Don’t just defend; go on the offensive. Ask the clerk to process, in writing:
- An order naming you primary custodian (decision-maker).
- A residence order confirming the kids live with you.
- A fixed visitation schedule for the father—clear hours, no grey areas.
- Support payments that cover at least half of the children’s ordinary costs, to be routed through the court cashier.
If calendaring permits, request that your motions be heard the same day as his; it turns one hearing into a full solution.
Expose Assertions—Put Proof on the Table
When he claims he “provides,” politely demand documentation. No receipts, no credibility. Judges weigh paper heavier than storytelling.
Legal Muscle—Hire if You Can, Leverage if You Can’t
Even a one-hour consult with counsel can sharpen questioning and paperwork. If private fees are out of reach, ask about duty attorneys or legal-aid desks in the courthouse. The process is a language; fluency matters.
Courtroom Conduct—Board-Meeting Mode
Arrive early, dress professionally, speak in short factual sentences. Let the documents do most of the talking. Emotional turbulence is normal—just park it until you’re outside the chamber.
Enforcement—Use the Court’s Built-In Levers
Payments funneled through the court create an automatic ledger. Missed deposits trigger enforcement without you lifting a finger—up to and including warrants if arrears get large enough.
Key Takeaway
A summons is not an indictment—it’s an opening bell. Show up with data, file your own claims, and keep every discussion child-centric. Do that, and the courtroom shifts from a threat to an opportunity.
