Legal Question in Family Law in Arizona

Letters to the Judge

I have custody of my two children and wrote a letter to the judge assigned to our case regarding the neglect I believe their mother is imposing on them. I just wanted the letter to be put in our file in case anything ever comes up in the future, and I wanted to show that I continue to do what is in the best interest of my children, and she obviously does not. I got a reply stating they could not include it in the file as I didn't send a copy to her. I wasn't aware that I had to do this, but wondered how they find out if she got a copy or not. If I send it again to her home address, do they contact her to ask if she received it or do I need to send them some sort of proof that I sent it to her, such as putting cc at the bottom of the letter?


Asked on 11/06/02, 5:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Monica Donaldson Stewart Donaldson Stewart, P.C.

Re: Letters to the Judge

Thank you for your inquiry. In order for the judge to include anything in the file, the document has to reflect that a copy was provided to the other party. You would do this either by noting "cc" at the bottom of the letter, or you could even put the following language:

"Original filed; copy mailed this date: _____ to the following: (her name and address)", then sign your name to certify that you sent the copy.

If the letter contains information that you don't want her to see, you will not be able to present it to the judge.

I hope this information is useful.

Sincerely,

Monica H Donaldson, Esq.

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Answered on 11/06/02, 7:25 pm


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