Tips for Preparing Your Records for 2025

Introduction

The turn of the year is an opportune time to perform record‑keeping activities in Alimentor. By reviewing your custody schedule, organizing your records, and preparing annual reports, you can start 2025 with confidence and clarity. A well-maintained record-keeping routine ensures your custody arrangements stay accurate and manageable throughout the year.

To make this season even better, the desktop version of Alimentor is now available with a 20% holiday discount until mid-January. If you own a Mac but haven’t yet used Alimentor on it, this is a great opportunity to enhance your workflow with the app’s full range of features on a larger screen.

Here are key actions to get organized for 2025:

• Extend recurring events
• Update CalSync settings
• Review and optimize your records
• Generate yearly summary reports
• Ensure your data is backed up

Extend Recurring Events

Recurring records in Alimentor have end dates that may need extending. If your Alimentor calendar for January 2025 appears incomplete or missing events, it’s time to update your recurring records.

To view the list of expiring events in Alimentor:

•  iOS  Tap the Expiring Events row displayed under the calendar.
•  Mac  Expand the Expiring Events section in the filters list.

To extend a recurrence rule, update the End Repeat date, typically changing it from 1st Jan 2025 to 1st Jan 2026.

Once your recurring events are extended, review how your schedule for 2025 aligns with holidays, vacations, and other events that might impact your parenting time.

Remember that in Alimentor you can edit individual occurrences of recurring events without affecting the rest. Adjust scheduled dates, update titles, add notes, or attach an email to document agreed-upon changes.

Update CalSync Settings

If you use CalSync to automatically export records to external calendar accounts, such as iCloud or Gmail, review and update the date ranges in your export rules as needed.

To edit your CalSync settings:

•  iOS  Go to Settings in Alimentor and select CalSync.
•  Mac  Open Settings... from the Alimentor menu bar and choose the CalSync tab.

Review and Optimize Your Records

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to evaluate and improve your custody planning and tracking practices in Alimentor. Taking a moment to review your records ensures they remain organized, relevant, and effective.

Consider reflecting on these questions:

• Am I satisfied with the completeness and detail of my records?
• Does the Planned list contain any overdue records that need to be addressed?
• Are there records I no longer find relevant and can delete?
• Are my notes clear and easy to understand for both myself and others?
• Can I simplify my logging routines while maintaining accuracy?
• Are the ways I share my records with the other parent effective?

Build consistency with small, helpful routines:

• Add Alimentor widgets to your Lock Screen (iOS) or desktop (macOS) for quick access.
• Set up recurring reminders, like "Send monthly report".

Generate Yearly Summary Reports

Preparing and reviewing annual reports can offer valuable insights into your co-parenting efforts and help you track key metrics for the year.

Here are some useful report ideas:

• Timeshare Overview: Total percentage of parenting time.
• Expense Summary: Breakdown of costs and reimbursements.
• Key Records: Essential records organized by Best Interests Factors.
• Conflict Log: Summary of disagreements and unresolved issues in 2024.

Beginning with version 2.8.1, you can further tailor your reports using text filters, hashtags, and custom section titles:

• Text Filters: Narrow down your reports by including or excluding specific records. Use commas for alternatives, minus for negatives, and quotes for exact phrases.
• Hashtags: Organize and categorize records with hashtags, making it easier to generate targeted reports for specific purposes.
• Custom Section Titles: Rename sections for better organization and clarity.

For deeper analysis, you can export all your records to a spreadsheet. Use this data to create charts and calculations that can be shared with your ex-spouse, mediator, or lawyer.

To generate a file in .xlsx format:

•  iOS  Go to Settings in Alimentor and select Export to Spreadsheet.
•  Mac  Choose File > Export as Spreadsheet... from the menu bar.

Ensure Your Data Is Backed Up

Alimentor automatically backs up all your records to your private iCloud container, as long as there is sufficient storage space available. If your iCloud storage is full, synchronization will stop, and you risk losing your data in case your device is damaged or lost.

To free up space or purchase additional iCloud storage, refer to this Apple Support article on managing iCloud storage.

Thank You for Choosing Alimentor

Navigating child custody, co‑parenting agreements and court proceedings (when necessary), can be among the most challenging experiences for divorced parents. I’m truly grateful that you’ve chosen Alimentor to assist you on this journey. Your trust means everything.

If Alimentor has made a difference for you, consider sharing it with others who might benefit. The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity for parents to take control of their custody planning and discover tools that make life a little easier.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with peace, progress, and positive co‑parenting moments!