Custody Exchanges

Silent Handoff is CommonGround's system for contactless, GPS-verified custody transfers. It eliminates the need for direct interaction between parents during pickups and drop-offs. The app handles all the verification, timing, and documentation so you can focus entirely on your child.

Here is how it works at a high level: both parents have the exchange scheduled on their shared calendar. When the dropping-off parent arrives at the designated location, the app detects their presence via GPS. The receiving parent is notified. When they arrive and confirm pickup, the exchange is logged with timestamps, locations, and verification data.

The entire exchange is documented automatically. Neither parent needs to speak to, text, or interact with the other. The children transition smoothly, and both parents have a verified record.

You can save frequently used exchange locations so you do not have to enter them each time. Go to Exchange Settings and add your regular handoff spots. Each saved location includes a name, address, and the GPS coordinates used for verification.

Recommended location types

• Public places: Police station parking lots, library entrances, and community center parking areas are ideal. They are neutral, well-lit, and often have security cameras.
• School or daycare: If both parents do pickup and drop-off at school, the school itself can serve as the exchange point with no direct parent contact needed.
• Midpoint locations: Choose a spot roughly equidistant between both homes to share the travel burden fairly.

Each exchange location has a geofence, a virtual boundary around the GPS coordinates. When your phone enters this geofence, CommonGround automatically detects that you have arrived at the exchange location. This arrival is logged with a timestamp.

The geofence radius is set to accommodate typical parking lot sizes, so you do not need to stand at an exact spot. As long as you are within the designated area, your presence is verified.

GPS verification creates an objective record of arrival times for both parents. This eliminates disputes about who was late, who did not show up, or who left early. The data is timestamped, cannot be edited after the fact, and is included in compliance reports.

For an additional layer of verification, CommonGround offers QR code check-in. The dropping-off parent displays a QR code on their phone, and the receiving parent scans it to confirm the pickup. This creates a verified, two-party confirmation that the exchange occurred.

1. 1When you arrive at the exchange location, open the exchange details in the app.
2. 2The dropping-off parent taps Show QR Code to display a unique, time-limited code.
3. 3The receiving parent taps Scan to Confirm and points their camera at the code.
4. 4The exchange is verified and logged with both parents' confirmation timestamps.

QR check-in is optional. GPS verification alone is sufficient for most families, but the QR code adds a stronger verification record for situations where documented proof of transfer is important.

Life is unpredictable. Traffic, weather, and last-minute delays happen. CommonGround includes a configurable grace period for each exchange to account for reasonable delays without immediately flagging a parent as late.

The default grace period is 15 minutes, but you can adjust it in your exchange settings to any duration that works for your situation. During the grace period, the other parent sees a status indicator showing that the exchange is in progress.

If a parent has not arrived by the end of the grace period, the exchange is automatically marked as late. This is recorded in the compliance data and included in reports. The late parent receives a notification, and the waiting parent is informed of the delay.

CommonGround automatically compiles exchange data into compliance metrics that give you a clear picture of how well the custody schedule is being followed. These metrics include:

• On-time percentage: The percentage of exchanges where both parents arrived within the grace period.
• Per-parent breakdown: Individual on-time rates for each parent, so the data is fair and specific.
• Missed exchanges: A count of exchanges where one parent did not show up at all.
• Average delay time: When a parent is late, how long the other parent typically waits.
• Trend over time: Whether compliance is improving, stable, or declining over weeks and months.

All compliance data is exportable as a formatted report suitable for court filings, mediation sessions, or attorney review. The reports include SHA-256 integrity verification to confirm the data has not been tampered with.

Tips for stress-free exchanges

Custody exchanges do not have to be stressful. With the right approach and CommonGround's tools, they can become a smooth, routine part of your week.

• Arrive on time: Consistent punctuality builds trust and sets a positive example for your children. Aim to arrive a few minutes early.
• Use public locations: Neutral handoff spots reduce tension and provide a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone.
• Let the app handle documentation: You do not need to take notes, save texts, or screenshot arrival times. CommonGround records everything automatically.
• Keep interactions brief and child-focused: If you do interact with your co-parent at the exchange, keep the conversation short and focused on the children's immediate needs.
• Pack ahead of time: Have your child's bag ready before you leave so the exchange itself takes only a moment.
• Stay calm for your kids: Children are perceptive. When exchanges are handled calmly and efficiently, they feel more secure about transitioning between homes.