Privacy Policy

Introduction

About This Privacy Policy

Welcome to Custody.mom (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “Custody.mom”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains:

  • What information we collect from you
  • How we use that information
  • With whom we share it
  • Your rights regarding your information
  • How we protect your information

By using Custody.mom, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Who We Are

Custody.mom is an online resource that:

  • Provides educational information about child custody
  • Connects parents with licensed family law attorneys
  • Offers tools and resources for custody cases

We are NOT:

  • A law firm
  • Legal advisors
  • Providers of legal services

Contact Information:

  • Website: https://custody.mom
  • Email: privacy@custody.mom

Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

  • âś“ Our website (custody.mom)
  • âś“ Our attorney matching service
  • âś“ Our email communications
  • âś“ Our forms and tools

This policy does NOT apply to:

  • âś— Third-party websites we link to
  • âś— Attorneys’ own privacy practices
  • âś— Other services not operated by us

Information we Collect

Types of Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our website.

A. Information You Provide Directly

When You Use Our Attorney Finder:

When you request to be connected with attorneys, we collect:

  • Contact Information:
    • First and last name
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • ZIP code or city/state
  • Case Information:
    • Type of custody case (filing, modification, etc.)
    • Brief description of your situation
    • Urgency of your case
    • Whether you currently have an attorney
  • Optional Information:
    • Preferred contact method
    • Best time to contact you
    • Language preferences
    • Budget range

Purpose: To match you with appropriate attorneys and enable them to contact you.

When You Contact Us:

When you email us or use our contact forms:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number (if provided)
  • Message content
  • Any information you choose to include

Purpose: To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.

When You Subscribe to Our Newsletter:

If we offer a newsletter subscription:

  • Email address
  • Name (optional)
  • Subscription preferences

Purpose: To send you custody-related information, updates, and resources.

When You Use Our Tools:

When you use calculators or other interactive tools:

  • Information you input into tools
  • Results generated
  • Tool usage data

Note: Most tools do not require you to create an account or provide identifying information.

Purpose: To provide tool functionality and improve our services.

When You Leave Comments or Reviews:

If we allow comments:

  • Name (or username)
  • Email address
  • Comment content
  • IP address (automatically)

Purpose: To display your comment and prevent spam/abuse.

B. Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

Device and Browser Information:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet)
  • Screen resolution
  • Device identifiers

Usage Information:

  • Pages you visit
  • Time spent on pages
  • Links you click
  • Referral source (how you found us)
  • Date and time of visit
  • Search terms used

Location Information:

  • General geographic location (city/state level) based on IP address
  • Not precise GPS location

Technical Information:

  • Cookies and similar technologies (see Cookies section)
  • Log files
  • Web beacons
  • Analytics data

Purpose: To understand how users interact with our site, improve functionality, and provide better services.

C. Information from Third Parties

Attorneys: We may receive information from attorneys in our network:

  • Whether they contacted you
  • Outcome of consultation (hired/not hired)
  • Feedback about lead quality

Purpose: To improve our matching service and monitor attorney performance.

Analytics Providers: We use third-party analytics services (like Google Analytics) that may collect:

  • Usage data
  • Demographics
  • Interests
  • Behavior across websites

Purpose: To analyze website performance and user behavior.

Advertising Networks: If we use advertising, ad networks may collect:

  • Cookies and device identifiers
  • Browsing behavior
  • Ad interaction data

Purpose: To deliver relevant advertising and measure campaign effectiveness.

3. How Use Your Information

Our Uses of Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

A. To Provide Our Services

Attorney Matching:

  • Match you with appropriate attorneys based on your location and case type
  • Share your information with selected attorneys
  • Enable attorneys to contact you
  • Facilitate consultations

Website Functionality:

  • Display website content
  • Enable tool functionality
  • Provide search features
  • Remember your preferences

Customer Support:

  • Respond to your inquiries
  • Provide technical assistance
  • Address complaints or concerns
  • Improve customer service

B. To Communicate With You

Service-Related Communications:

  • Confirm your attorney requests
  • Notify you when attorneys contact you
  • Send important updates about our services
  • Respond to your messages

Marketing Communications (with consent):

  • Send newsletters (if you subscribe)
  • Share custody resources and tips
  • Notify you of new features
  • Send educational content

You can opt-out of marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link.

C. To Improve Our Services

Analytics and Research:

  • Analyze how users interact with our site
  • Understand which content is most helpful
  • Identify technical issues
  • Improve website performance
  • Develop new features

Quality Control:

  • Monitor attorney network quality
  • Evaluate matching effectiveness
  • Gather user feedback
  • Improve user experience

D. For Legal and Security Purposes

Legal Compliance:

  • Comply with applicable laws and regulations
  • Respond to legal requests (subpoenas, court orders)
  • Enforce our Terms of Service
  • Protect our legal rights

Security:

  • Detect and prevent fraud
  • Identify and prevent abuse
  • Protect against security threats
  • Maintain data security
  • Prevent unauthorized access

Dispute Resolution:

  • Resolve disputes with users
  • Investigate complaints
  • Enforce our agreements

E. With Your Consent

We may use your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

How we Share Your Information

Who We Share Your Information With

We share your information only in the limited circumstances described below:

A. With Attorneys in Our Network

When You Request Attorney Connections:

When you submit an attorney request, we share your information with:

  • 1-3 selected attorneys in your area who match your case needs

Information Shared:

  • Your name
  • Contact information (email, phone)
  • Your location (city, state, ZIP)
  • Your case type
  • Brief description of your situation
  • Any additional information you provided

Purpose: To enable attorneys to evaluate your case and contact you for a consultation.

Important:

  • You control this sharing by submitting the request
  • Attorneys are independent professionals
  • They have their own privacy practices
  • Your relationship with them is separate from us
  • We are not responsible for how they use your information

B. With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate our website:

Examples:

  • Web hosting providers (to host our website)
  • Email service providers (to send emails)
  • Analytics providers (Google Analytics, etc.)
  • Payment processors (if we process payments)
  • Customer support tools (help desk software)
  • Security services (fraud prevention, security monitoring)

Limitations:

  • Service providers may only use your information to provide services to us
  • They are bound by confidentiality agreements
  • They cannot use your information for their own purposes

C. For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information when required by law or to protect our rights:

Legal Obligations:

  • To comply with court orders, subpoenas, or legal process
  • To comply with government or regulatory requests
  • To comply with applicable laws and regulations

Rights Protection:

  • To protect Custody.mom’s rights and property
  • To enforce our Terms of Service
  • To protect the safety of users or the public
  • To prevent fraud or illegal activity

Examples:

  • Response to subpoena in litigation
  • Cooperation with law enforcement investigation
  • Disclosure required by regulatory authority

D. Business Transfers

In the event of:

  • Merger or acquisition
  • Sale of all or part of our business
  • Bankruptcy or reorganization
  • Other business transaction

We may transfer your information to the successor entity. The new owner will continue to be bound by this Privacy Policy (or will provide notice of changes).

E. With Your Consent

We may share your information with other parties when you give us permission to do so.

F. Aggregated or De-Identified Information

We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you:

Examples:

  • “50% of our users are in California”
  • “Most common custody case type is initial filing”
  • “Average time on site is 5 minutes”

This information:

  • Cannot identify you personally
  • May be shared with anyone
  • May be used for any lawful purpose

What We Do NOT Do

We DO NOT:

  • âś— Sell your personal information to third parties
  • âś— Share your information with unrelated third parties for their marketing
  • âś— Rent or lease email lists
  • âś— Share your information with attorneys before you request it
  • âś— Publicly post your personal information

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

How We Use Cookies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. They help websites remember information about your visit.

Types of Cookies We Use

1. Essential Cookies (Required)

Purpose: Make our website function properly

Examples:

  • Session management
  • Security features
  • Load balancing
  • Form functionality

Cannot be disabled without breaking website functionality.

2. Analytics Cookies

Purpose: Understand how visitors use our site

Examples:

  • Google Analytics
  • Page view tracking
  • User behavior analysis
  • Performance monitoring

What they track:

  • Pages visited
  • Time on site
  • Bounce rate
  • Traffic sources
  • Geographic location (general)

Can be disabled through browser settings or opt-out tools.

3. Functional Cookies

Purpose: Remember your preferences

Examples:

  • Language preferences
  • Font size selections
  • Form data (so you don’t have to re-enter)
  • Tool settings

Can be disabled but will reduce functionality.

4. Advertising Cookies (if we use ads)

Purpose: Deliver relevant advertising

Examples:

  • Google Ads
  • Facebook Pixel
  • Retargeting pixels
  • Ad measurement

What they track:

  • Ad views and clicks
  • Sites you visit
  • Ads you interact with
  • Conversion tracking

Can be disabled through browser settings or ad preferences.

Third-Party Cookies

Third parties may set cookies when you visit our site:

Google Analytics:

  • Tracks website usage
  • Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
  • Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Google Ads (if applicable):

  • Tracks ad performance
  • Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
  • Opt-out: https://adssettings.google.com

Social Media Platforms (if we have social plugins):

  • Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
  • Privacy policies on their respective sites

Other Tracking Technologies

Web Beacons (Pixels):

  • Small invisible images embedded in web pages or emails
  • Track whether content was viewed
  • Used for analytics and advertising

Local Storage:

  • Similar to cookies but can store more data
  • Used for enhanced functionality
  • Can be cleared through browser settings

Log Files:

  • Automatically collect information like IP address, browser type, ISP, referring pages
  • Used for system administration and analytics

Your Cookie Choices

Browser Settings: You can control cookies through your browser:

  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Clear existing cookies
  • Set cookie preferences

Browser instructions:

  • Chrome: chrome://settings/cookies
  • Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy
  • Edge: Settings → Privacy & Services

Opt-Out Tools:

Google Analytics Opt-Out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out: https://optout.networkadvertising.org

Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out: https://optout.aboutads.info

Note: Blocking cookies may affect website functionality.

Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers have “Do Not Track” features. We do not currently respond to DNT signals because there is no industry standard for how to respond. We may respond to DNT signals in the future if a standard is established.

Your Privacy Rights

Your Rights Regarding Your Information

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information.

General Rights (All Users)

Access:

  • Right to know what information we have about you
  • Request a copy of your information

Correction:

  • Right to correct inaccurate information
  • Update your information

Deletion:

  • Right to request deletion of your information
  • Subject to certain exceptions (legal obligations, etc.)

Opt-Out:

  • Right to opt-out of marketing emails
  • Use unsubscribe link in emails

Withdraw Consent:

  • Right to withdraw consent where we rely on consent
  • Does not affect lawfulness of prior processing

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise these rights:

  1. Email us: privacy@custody.mom
  2. Subject line: “Privacy Rights Request”
  3. Provide:
    • Your name
    • Email address
    • Specific request (access, deletion, correction)
    • Information to verify your identity

Response Time:

  • We respond within 30 days
  • May extend by 30 additional days if complex
  • Will notify you if extension needed

Verification:

  • We must verify your identity before fulfilling requests
  • May ask for additional information
  • Protects against fraudulent requests

Free:

  • We do not charge for requests
  • Excessive or repetitive requests may incur reasonable fee

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

See California Privacy Rights section below for California-specific rights.

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

See European Privacy Rights section below for EU/EEA-specific rights.

7. Data Security

How We Protect Your Information

We take data security seriously and implement reasonable security measures to protect your information.

Security Measures

Technical Safeguards:

  • Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
  • Secure servers and databases
  • Firewalls and intrusion detection
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Regular security testing
  • Malware protection

Administrative Safeguards:

  • Employee training on data protection
  • Confidentiality agreements
  • Limited access to personal information (need-to-know basis)
  • Security incident response procedures
  • Vendor security requirements

Physical Safeguards:

  • Secure data centers
  • Controlled facility access
  • Environmental controls

Limitations

No Security is Perfect: Despite our efforts, no security measures are 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

Internet Risks:

  • Internet transmission is never completely secure
  • Email is not a secure communication method
  • Public Wi-Fi can be intercepted
  • Devices can be hacked

Your Responsibility:

  • Use strong passwords
  • Keep login credentials secure
  • Log out of shared computers
  • Use secure internet connections
  • Keep your devices secure
  • Report suspected security issues

Data Breach Response

If a data breach occurs:

  • We will investigate promptly
  • Notify affected users as required by law
  • Notify appropriate authorities
  • Take steps to prevent future breaches
  • Provide information about the breach and protective steps

You will be notified via:

  • Email (if we have your email)
  • Website notice
  • Other appropriate means

8. Data Retention

How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

Retention Periods

Attorney Request Information:

  • Active requests: Until you hire an attorney or request removal
  • Completed requests: 12 months after last attorney contact
  • Purpose: Facilitate attorney connections, improve matching

Website Usage Data:

  • Analytics data: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
  • Log files: 90 days
  • Purpose: Analyze trends, improve site

Communications:

  • Email correspondence: 3 years
  • Support tickets: 3 years
  • Purpose: Customer service, legal compliance

Marketing Lists:

  • Newsletter subscribers: Until you unsubscribe
  • Purpose: Send requested information

Legal/Compliance:

  • Records required by law: As required by applicable law
  • Dispute-related information: Until dispute resolved + statute of limitations
  • Purpose: Legal compliance, dispute resolution

Deletion

After retention period expires:

  • Information is deleted or anonymized
  • Cannot be recovered
  • May retain aggregated, de-identified data indefinitely

You can request earlier deletion by contacting us (subject to exceptions for legal obligations).

9. Children´s Privacy

Protection of Children’s Information

Our Website is Not Directed to Children:

Custody.mom is intended for adults (parents and legal guardians). We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 years of age.

If You Are Under 13:

  • Do not use this website
  • Do not provide any information to us
  • Do not create an account (if we offer accounts)
  • Do not submit any forms

If We Learn We Have Children’s Information:

  • We will delete it promptly
  • We will not use it
  • We will not share it

Parents: If you believe your child under 13 has provided information to us:

  • Contact us immediately: privacy@custody.mom
  • We will delete the information promptly

Age Verification: We do not have mechanisms to verify users’ ages. We rely on users to be truthful.

COPPA Compliance: We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

10. Third Party Links

Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including:

  • Attorney websites
  • Legal resources
  • Government sites
  • Court websites
  • Social media platforms
  • Advertising partners

We Are Not Responsible

These third-party sites:

  • Have their own privacy policies
  • Have their own terms of service
  • Have their own practices
  • Are not controlled by us

We are NOT responsible for:

  • âś— Third-party privacy practices
  • âś— Third-party content
  • âś— Third-party security
  • âś— Third-party data collection
  • âś— What happens on their sites

Your Responsibility

When you click a link to a third-party site:

  • You leave Custody.mom
  • That site’s privacy policy applies
  • Read their privacy policy
  • Understand their practices
  • Exercise caution

Attorneys’ Websites: Attorneys in our network have their own:

  • Privacy policies
  • Data practices
  • Security measures
  • Legal obligations

Your relationship with them is separate from your relationship with us.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

Rights Under the California Consumer Privacy Act

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

California Rights

Right to Know:

  • Right to know what personal information we collect
  • Right to know what categories of sources
  • Right to know our business purposes
  • Right to know who we share information with
  • Request specific pieces of information (up to 2 times per year)

Right to Delete:

  • Right to request deletion of your personal information
  • Subject to exceptions (legal obligations, security, fraud prevention)

Right to Opt-Out of Sale:

  • Right to opt-out if we “sell” personal information
  • We DO NOT sell personal information

Right to Non-Discrimination:

  • Right to not be discriminated against for exercising CCPA rights
  • We will not deny services, charge different prices, or provide different quality

Right to Correct:

  • Right to correct inaccurate personal information

Categories of Information We Collect (CCPA)

As described in this policy, we collect:

A. Identifiers

  • Name, email, phone, IP address, device ID

B. Commercial Information

  • Case type, attorney requests, service interactions

C. Internet/Network Activity

  • Browsing history, search history, website interaction

D. Geolocation Data

  • General location (city/state level)

E. Professional Information

  • Case details, legal situation (custody-related)

F. Inferences

  • Preferences, characteristics, behavior

How to Exercise California Rights

Submit a Request:

  1. Email: privacy@custody.mom
  2. Subject: “California Privacy Rights Request”
  3. Include:
    • Your name and contact information
    • California residency confirmation
    • Specific request (know, delete, correct)
    • Sufficient information to verify identity

Verification:

  • We will verify your identity
  • May request additional information
  • Required to prevent fraudulent requests

Response:

  • We respond within 45 days
  • May extend by 45 additional days if needed
  • Will notify you of any extension

Authorized Agents:

  • You may use authorized agent
  • Agent must provide proof of authorization
  • We may still verify your identity

California “Shine the Light” Law

California Civil Code Section 1798.83 allows California residents to request information about disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

Rights Under the General Data Protection Regulation

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on:

Consent:

  • You provide consent for specific purposes (newsletter, attorney matching)
  • Can withdraw consent at any time

Contractual Necessity:

  • Processing necessary to provide services you request

Legitimate Interests:

  • Analytics to improve our website
  • Security and fraud prevention
  • Business operations

Legal Obligations:

  • Compliance with applicable laws

Your GDPR Rights

Right of Access:

  • Obtain confirmation we process your data
  • Access your personal data
  • Receive copy of your data

Right to Rectification:

  • Correct inaccurate personal data
  • Complete incomplete personal data

Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”):

  • Request deletion of your personal data
  • Subject to exceptions

Right to Restriction of Processing:

  • Request we limit processing in certain circumstances

Right to Data Portability:

  • Receive your data in structured, machine-readable format
  • Transmit data to another controller

Right to Object:

  • Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Object to direct marketing
  • Object to automated decision-making

Right to Withdraw Consent:

  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • Does not affect prior processing

Right to Lodge Complaint:

  • File complaint with supervisory authority
  • In your country of residence or where alleged violation occurred

Data Transfers Outside EEA

Your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers are located.

Safeguards:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (where required)
  • Adequacy decisions by EU Commission
  • Other appropriate safeguards

You have the right to obtain information about safeguards by contacting us.

How to Exercise GDPR Rights

Contact Us:

  • Email: privacy@custody.mom
  • Subject: “GDPR Rights Request”
  • Specify your request
  • Provide information to verify identity

Response Time:

  • We respond within 1 month
  • May extend by 2 additional months if complex
  • Will notify you of extension and reasons

Free of Charge:

  • Requests are free
  • Excessive or repetitive requests may incur reasonable fee

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

How We Update This Policy

We May Update This Privacy Policy:

Reasons for updates:

  • Changes in our practices
  • New features or services
  • Legal or regulatory changes
  • Industry best practices
  • Feedback from users

How We Notify You

For Material Changes:

  • Prominent notice on website
  • Email notification (if we have your email)
  • Updated “Last Updated” date at top of policy
  • Opportunity to review before continuing to use site

For Non-Material Changes:

  • Updated “Last Updated” date
  • Posting of revised policy
  • Continued use constitutes acceptance

Your Acceptance

Continued use after changes means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.

If you don’t agree:

  • Stop using our website
  • Contact us to delete your information
  • Exercise your data rights

Previous Versions

We will maintain previous versions of our Privacy Policy for your reference upon request.

14. Contact Us

Questions About This Privacy Policy

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

Contact Information

Email: privacy@custody.mom

Response Time

  • We respond to inquiries within 5 business days
  • Rights requests within timeframes required by law (30-45 days typically)
  • Urgent security matters handled promptly

What to Include in Your Message

For privacy inquiries:

  • Your name
  • Contact information
  • Specific question or concern
  • Any relevant details

For rights requests:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Specific request (access, deletion, correction)
  • Information to verify your identity
  • State/country (for jurisdiction-specific rights)

Additional Information

Supplementary Privacy Information

International Users

If you access our website from outside the United States:

  • Your information may be transferred to the U.S.
  • U.S. privacy laws may differ from your country
  • By using our site, you consent to transfer
  • We take reasonable steps to protect your information

Country-Specific Rights: We comply with applicable privacy laws in jurisdictions where we operate.

Nevada Privacy Rights

Nevada residents have the right to opt-out of the “sale” of personal information.

We do not sell personal information as defined under Nevada law.

If you are a Nevada resident and wish to exercise this right: privacy@custody.mom

Automated Decision-Making

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that significantly affects you.

Attorney matching is based on:

  • Location and case type (automated filtering)
  • Final selection may involve human review
  • Not solely automated with legal effects

Marketing Communications

Email Marketing:

  • We send marketing emails only with consent
  • You can opt-out anytime using unsubscribe link
  • Opt-out processed within 10 business days

We do not:

  • âś— Sell email lists
  • âś— Share emails for third-party marketing
  • âś— Send unsolicited commercial emails

Service-Related Communications

We may send service-related emails even if you opt-out of marketing:

  • Confirmation of attorney requests
  • Important policy updates
  • Security alerts
  • Response to your inquiries

These are not marketing and cannot be opted out of while using our services.

Updates and Notifications

How to stay informed:

  • Check “Last Updated” date periodically
  • Review policy when you return to site
  • Subscribe to updates (if available)
  • Check email for notices