Decide from the record
Base every finding only on the testimony, exhibits, stipulations, and other materials included in the published case record. Do not conduct outside research or rely on social-media commentary.
Standardized decision framework
Jury Instructions.
These instructions are designed to help community jurors evaluate the same record consistently while preserving their independent judgment. Each published case will also include instructions tailored to its jurisdiction and disputed issues.
Choose a jurisdiction
Find instructions by state and case type.
Choose divorce with children, divorce without children, or custody for parents who were never married. Each path shows only the decisions relevant to that type of case.
Part I / Core instructions
Your duty as a community juror.
Read these rules before viewing the case and return to them before completing your individual findings.
Remain neutral
Begin without favoring either parent, any attorney, or the court. Personal experience may inform understanding, but it does not substitute for evidence.
Apply the stated law
Use the jurisdiction-specific legal standards supplied with the case. Do not replace them with the law of another state or with a preferred policy outcome.
Assess credibility carefully
Consider consistency, detail, corroboration, opportunity to observe, motive, and the complete context. A witness’s identity or status alone does not determine credibility.
Decide independently first
Complete the individual findings and proposed outcome before discussing the case with the other jurors.
Deliberate in good faith
Listen, explain, reconsider, and seek unanimity without surrendering an honestly held conclusion merely to finish. Majority and minority views will be preserved when agreement is not possible.
Part II / Decision worksheets
Instructions for each kind of finding.
Every conclusion should identify the evidence relied upon and the governing factor or formula.
Custody & parenting
Work through every applicable best-interest factor before constructing the parenting plan.
- Legal custody and decision-making
- Regular parenting schedule
- Holidays and school breaks
- Transportation and exchanges
- Communication and information sharing
- Relocation and dispute-resolution terms
Property & debt
Classify and value each item using the governing law and the evidence admitted in the record.
- Marital or nonmarital classification
- Supported asset values
- Debt responsibility
- Credits and reimbursements
- Proposed distribution
- Required equalization calculation
Child support
Separate factual decisions from the mathematical calculation required by the jurisdiction.
- Supported income figures
- Parenting-time inputs
- Health and childcare expenses
- Other statutory adjustments
- Formula application
- Any permitted deviation and reason
Part III / Before deliberation
Complete and preserve your own findings.
Each juror must submit an individual verdict form before the panel meets. The form should state factual findings, credibility determinations where necessary, factor-by-factor conclusions, and the proposed order.
Do not review the judge’s findings, the other jurors’ forms, parent responses, or professional reviews until instructed. This separation protects the research value of each independent decision.
Juror affirmation
Before submitting, each juror confirms:
□01I reviewed the complete available record.
□02I did not conduct outside case research.
□03I disclosed known conflicts or relevant connections.
□04I applied the supplied legal standards.
□05My findings reflect my independent judgment.
□06I will protect confidential or restricted information.