If you've been asked to write to the judge, use our sample character reference letter and fill-in-the-blank template. What's a character reference letter?The best way is to hire a lawyer who knows this court, its rules, and its judge,¹ and get the lawyer to write the response for you. A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. Everything you need to write a declaration letter to the judge in your custody case: an example, a downloadable template, an outline and tips. Include a specific example of how the father demonstrated good parenting skills, but your letter should not only be a list of things he did well. A character reference letter can make a difference in a child custody case. It provides evidence of your parenting abilities. Looking for a sample character reference letter for court child custody? Check out this template with examples in an editable word format.