Using AI in a Family Court Case
If you’re going through a family court case, you might be thinking about using a tool like ChatGPT or another Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing assistant. AI tools can be incredibly helpful—especially if you’re trying to write clearly, stay organized, or prepare for court on your own. But there are limits to what they can do well.
This article explains what AI tools can and can’t do, offers tips for using them safely, and shares examples of how people are using them in family law cases.
What is AI?
AI stands for artificial intelligence. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude and others can answer questions, summarize information, or help you write. They work by predicting patterns in language—not by thinking like a person or understanding the law.
AI can be a helpful tool if you use it the right way. But you should not rely on it to give you legal advice or tell you exactly what the law says.
What AI tools are good at
AI tools can be great at helping you write clearly and stay organized. For example, they can:
- Check the tone of your emails or messages.
- Help you create initial drafts of documents.
- Help you practice what to say in court or create question lists for witnesses.
These tools are especially helpful if you’re nervous about how you sound in writing or if you’re trying to stay calm and respectful in a stressful situation.
What AI tools are not good at
AI tools are not legal professionals. They didn't go to law school, they don’t think like humans, and they don’t always get the law right. Sometimes they:
- Get laws wrong.
- Make up laws that don’t exist.
- Give outdated or misleading legal advice.
Make sure any documents you submit to the court are truthful and accurate. You are responsible for anything you submit to the court, even if AI helped you write it.
Tips for using AI tools safely
Tip #1: Be clear about what you want
AI works best when you give it a clear task. Be specific about what you want it to do.
Tip #2: Use it for help with writing, not legal advice
Think of AI like a smart writing assistant. It can help you explain things better or brainstorm ideas, but it’s not a lawyer and it's not very good at giving legal advice. It can get the law wrong.
Tip #3: Don’t share private information
Most AI tools save the information you provide to improve their services. To protect your privacy:
- Avoid sharing your full legal name, your child’s name, court case number, or other identifiable details.
- Use general terms or made-up names if you need to give an example.
Tip #4: Treat anything AI writes as a rough draft
- Always read what the AI gives you.
- Make sure it makes sense, is truthful and factually correct, and fits your situation.
- Update the language so that it sounds more like you.
- If AI includes legal terms or laws, check them.
Tip #5: Talk to a legal professional if you need legal advice
If you’re unsure about what to do or need legal advice, talk to a legal professional. Some legal aid offices and court programs offer free or low-cost help.
You can look for free or low-cost lawyers using our Legal Directory. If you can afford to pay a lawyer, you can call Oregon’s Lawyer Referral Service for help finding a lawyer.
Examples of how AI can be used in family court cases
Here are some examples of how AI tools can help you during a family law case. Each example includes a prompt (set of instructions) you can copy or adjust to fit your situation.
When you’re stressed, it’s easy to sound angry or defensive. AI can help you rewrite your message to sound calm and respectful.
Prompt example:
I’m writing a message to my child’s other parent. I want to ask if they can switch our exchange day next week, but I want the message to sound polite and non-confrontational. Please rewrite this message to sound calm and respectful: “[insert message here].”
AI can help you come up with ideas for a parenting plan, based on your family situation and needs. For example, maybe you need help coming up with ideas for visitation schedules.
Prompt example:
“I need help coming up with ideas for a visitation schedule for our kids. I’d like both parents to have 50/50 time with the kids. I’d also like the kids to see each parent more often than every other week. I’d also like to do exchanges at our kids’ school so I don’t have to see my ex. Can you come up with a couple schedules?”
If you’re trying to settle your case outside of court, AI can help you write a clear and respectful offer.
Prompt example:
“I want to write a letter offering a custody and parenting time agreement. I want to say that I’m open to compromise and want what’s best for our child. Please write a professional, respectful draft offer based on these terms: I want joint legal custody, the child lives with me primarily, and the other parent has parenting time every other weekend and one weekday overnight.”
AI can help explain what different parts of a form mean—just make sure not to rely on it for legal advice. Take time to look up any laws referenced and make sure the AI got them right.
Prompt example:
“I’m going to upload a court form from an Oregon divorce case. Can you explain what this form means? What are my options for responding? Please include citations to the laws or legal authority you rely on.”
AI can help you stay organized by creating a checklist of what to do before a hearing.
Prompt example:
I have a family law hearing next week in Oregon. It’s about parenting time. Can you create a checklist of what I should do to get ready, including what to bring and how to prepare to speak?
AI can help you explain your position clearly and respectfully.
Prompt example:
I need to tell the judge why I think my proposed parenting plan is best for my child. Can you help me write a short, respectful statement that focuses on the child’s best interests?
If you have a hearing or trial, you may ask witnesses to testify for you. AI can help you write clear questions to ask in court.
Prompt example:
I have a friend testifying as a witness in my custody case. She has seen the other parent miss multiple pickups. She has also seen him frequently lose his temper and yell at me. Can you help me a list of clear, open-ended, non-leading questions to ask her in court about what she saw?