[header] How to prepare for a custody hearing [title] File the appropriate forms. [step] What forms you need to fill out, and when you need to file them, depends on whether you are filing for custody or responding to a petition filed by the other parent. [substeps] If you are asking the court for custody, you'll file a petition. 
If the other parent has already filed a petition, you must file an answer to that petition. Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be a form you can fill out to answer the petition included in the papers you received from the other parent.