How to Prepare a Court-Ready PDF Evidence Packet (Fast & Professional)
Last updated November 2025
Preparing a clean, organized PDF evidence packet is one of the most important steps you can take in a custody case. Courts, mediators, and attorneys rely heavily on well-structured documentation — and the quality of your packet can shape how your case is understood.
This guide explains how to turn screenshots, text messages, photos, and documents into a single polished PDF packet that is easy to read, easy to reference, and ready for filing.
1. What a Court-Ready Evidence Packet Actually Is
A true evidence packet is more than a bundle of images. It is a clear and organized story built through:
- Chronology — events placed in order
- Labels & summaries — each exhibit briefly explained
- Themes — safety concerns, communication issues, parenting patterns
- Professional formatting — uniform titles and clean structure
Court-ready evidence gives the judge or mediator a roadmap they can follow quickly.
2. The Biggest Mistakes People Make
- Out-of-order evidence that makes timelines confusing
- No summaries, forcing the judge to decipher your intent
- Overwhelming volume without structure
- Emotionally reactive notes or explanations
Even strong evidence loses impact when it’s presented poorly. This guide helps you avoid those traps.
3. Step-by-Step: How to Assemble a Court-Ready PDF Packet
Step 1 — Gather everything in one place
Create a folder and collect every piece of digital evidence: screenshots, texts, photos, school emails, medical communications, and calendar entries. The goal is centralization first.
Step 2 — Rename files clearly and consistently
Use a format such as:
2025-01-14_Pickup_Refusal.jpg 2025-01-20_Text_Delay_30_Minutes.png 2025-02-02_Medical_Appointment_Email.pdf
Clear filenames save hours of confusion later.
Step 3 — Put everything in chronological order
Chronology reveals patterns: repeated missed pickups, communication issues, safety concerns, and escalation.
Step 4 — Write brief summaries
Every exhibit should include a brief, neutral summary:
Weak: “Screenshot from April.”
Court-ready: “Mother cancelled agreed-upon pickup on April 4 at 3:00 pm. Similar cancellations occurred on April 11 and April 18.”
Step 5 — Assemble into a structured PDF
Your PDF packet should include:
- Title page — case name and date range
- Table of contents — exhibits with page numbers
- Chronological evidence section — each exhibit with a summary
- Narrative overview (optional) — 1–2 pages explaining key patterns
Step 6 — Export as a clean PDF
Before submitting, confirm:
- Pages are readable and consistent
- Images are not blurry or too small
- Page numbers are correct
- No duplicates or missing context
- File size is under 25 MB (common court limit)
4. What a Professional Packet Looks Like
The strongest packets have:
- A clear timeline
- Neutral summaries
- Consistent formatting
- A brief narrative explaining context
This level of clarity significantly improves how your evidence is received.
5. How CaseBuilder Automates This Entire Process
CaseBuilder was built to turn a 10–30 hour task into minutes:
- 🧠 Automatic text extraction from screenshots
- 🔄 Chronological sorting
- ✍️ AI-generated summaries
- ⭐ Relevance scoring
- 📄 One-click export to PDF, CSV, and ZIP
You still review everything — but the heavy lifting is done for you.
6. Final Thoughts: Your Evidence Deserves to Be Understood
When evidence is organized clearly, your case becomes easier for courts to understand and far less emotionally overwhelming for you to manage.
If you want to build a polished, professional packet quickly: