Worksheet to draft a custody or access proposal
You want to put your custody or access proposal on paper before you present it.
Why write your proposal down
A clear written proposal is easier for a Sulh Officer or the court to weigh than a description given verbally on the day. Read hadhanah for how custody is generally decided, or hak lawatan for access arrangements.
Work through the sections below in order. You do not need every section to be perfect before you show it to someone.
The child’s current routine
| Question | Your answer |
|---|---|
| Who currently looks after the child day to day. | |
| What is the child’s daily schedule, school and activities. | |
| Who has been managing school, medical and daily needs. |
Describe the routine as it actually runs now, not how you would like it to be.
Proposed living arrangement
Set out where the child would live, who they would live with day to day, and why this arrangement suits the child’s current routine and schooling.
If you are proposing shared time between both parents, describe how that would actually work in practice, not just in principle.
Proposed access schedule
| Detail | Your proposal |
|---|---|
| Which days and times. | |
| Who is responsible for transport. | |
| How holidays and school breaks are handled. |
A specific, workable schedule is easier for the court and the other parent to respond to than a vague offer of reasonable access.
Evidence that supports your proposal
School records, medical appointment history, and evidence of who has managed the child’s daily needs all support a hadhanah proposal. For an access proposal, evidence of your existing relationship with the child, such as messages, photographs, or witness accounts, is useful.
If safety is a concern in your household, read hak lawatan for how supervised or limited access can work, and call Talian Kasih at 15999 if you or your child are at risk right now.
Before you present the proposal
Read through it from the other parent’s likely point of view, and check that the arrangement is one you can realistically keep to. A proposal that looks good on paper but is not workable in practice tends to break down quickly.
Bring the completed worksheet to a Peguam Syarie or your Sulh session so it can be refined before it is put to the other side.
Common questions
Is this worksheet only for the parent seeking custody?
No. A parent proposing an access arrangement can use the same structure. Fill in the sections that apply to what you are asking the court to consider.
How detailed does the proposed schedule need to be?
Specific enough that both sides and the court know exactly what is being proposed, for example which days, what times, and who is responsible for transport.
Can I change the proposal later if circumstances change?
Yes. A proposal is a starting point for discussion, whether at Sulh or a hearing. The court can also revisit arrangements later if circumstances genuinely change.
Once you have a draft proposal filled in, send it to us and we will help you check it is realistic and clearly presented.
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