What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody. Includes a downloadable sample and template.The character reference letter for court serves the purpose of offering the Judge insights into the Defendant's moral or mental attributes. Everything you need to write a declaration letter to the judge in your custody case: an example, a downloadable template, an outline and tips. A letter addressed to the judge and copied to all parties has a better chance of being read. You can contact the court clerk on how to accomplish that. You cannot write a letter to the family court judge. This would be considered an ex parte communication. In this article, we will discuss how to write a formal letter to a judge, along with the proper format and a sample letter. Then, explain how you know the defendant you're writing about.