Pledges are great. But be ready to maintain your pledge in court; they won't ask you about your pledge. 1. It's not your child; it's your property. 2. Don't sign anything; you give up your rights that way. 3. Stand as a man/woman, totally unrepresented, in court; if you have an attorney, make him/her your co-counsel; you do the talking in court. 4. Require an on-the-stand statement of any other party's ownership of your property (your child); if the other party literally has part ownership of your property, work out a schedule with him/her regarding things that are done with your property. Property ownership and rights are what counts in America.