Gather only material you can lawfully and safely access. Keep originals intact and work from copies. Use a secure lawyer/client intake channel for sensitive records. Do not post Social Security numbers, full account numbers, passwords, children’s medical records, or protected addresses in public comments or public search queries.
For every matter
- A one-page factual timeline with dates, locations, participants, and what you directly observed.
- All complete notices, envelopes, summonses, complaints, orders, agreements, and amendments.
- Case number, court or agency, issuing jurisdiction, and every upcoming date.
- Proof of how and when documents were received, served, filed, or delivered.
- A list of immediate needs and the decisions you want help understanding.
- Relevant photos, original messages, witnesses, and reports, preserved safely and lawfully.
- A record of who you contacted, when, what was requested, and what was confirmed in writing.
Family and divorce
Bring legal-parent and child information, marriage and parentage records, all custody/support/protection orders, a child residence history, school and childcare schedules, and financial records relevant to the requested relief. For property issues, include deeds, loan statements, retirement plans, account statements, business interests, and premarital or settlement agreements. For reimbursement, bring the expense, proof of payment, insurance explanation, and the order provision.
Prepare a proposed temporary or longer-term parenting schedule where relevant. Identify conflicts between orders. Explain safety concerns privately and early. Avoid sending an entire unorganized message archive when a short chronology and preserved originals can make the urgent issue clearer.
Domestic violence and stalking
If safe, preserve incident dates, specific threats, messages, call records, photographs, medical records, witness information, report numbers, and complete orders. Include technology access, weapons concerns, child-related needs, pets, disability access, and safe contact preferences when planning with an advocate.
Do not collect evidence in a way that increases danger. Do not store the safety plan in a shared account. Ask about confidential addresses and safe service. Never assume that changing settings, clearing history, or leaving a device behind is safe in every situation.
Bankruptcy and debt
Prepare a complete creditor and asset list; collection notices and lawsuits; recent income and tax records; household expenses; real estate, vehicle, business, and retirement records; support and tax obligations; prior bankruptcy cases; residence history; and recent transfers or unusual payments. Include legal claims, digital assets, refunds, inheritances, disputed interests, and cosigners for professional assessment.
For a frozen account, preserve statements identifying the source of funds. For identity theft, keep dispute and report confirmations. For secured debt, bring the contract, payoff, lien, collateral value, and payment history. Do not move property or alter records before obtaining advice.
Personal injury
Keep the incident report, report number, exact location, photos, witness details, insurance declarations, claim numbers, medical records and bills, wage information, work restrictions, and communications with insurers. Identify every potentially involved public entity, employer, property owner, vehicle owner, and benefit program without guessing legal responsibility.
Keep releases, denials, authorizations, lien notices, and settlement offers. Preserve products and original electronic evidence safely. Document care and limitations honestly; do not create exaggerated logs or delete contrary evidence.
Traffic
Keep the full ticket, notice and envelope, charge code, hearing date, licensing notices, driving record, insurance records, disposition, payment receipts, and restoration confirmation. Preserve relevant lawful photos, dashcam recordings, sale/theft records, permits, and supporting documents.
Identify license class, provisional or probationary status, commercial privileges, and home jurisdiction. Separate court deadlines from agency deadlines and each outstanding assessment. Verify remote-hearing and exhibit requirements before the scheduled date.
Housing and real estate
Tenants: lease and addenda, rent ledger, receipts, deposit record, move-in/out evidence, repair requests, inspections, notices, court papers, subsidy information, and proof of delivery. Homeowners: deed, mortgage and other liens, payment history, default/court/sale notices, taxes, association documents, and loss-mitigation submissions. Buyers/sellers: signed contract, contingencies, inspections, disclosures, title materials, loan documents, deposit records, and written amendments.
Keep payment instructions in a verified secure channel. Independently confirm changed payment details. Before signing a deed, settlement, lease termination, or release, understand which rights are ending and which liabilities remain.
A factual consultation summary you can prepare
- Where: property location, incident location, issuing court, or child residence history as relevant.
- What happened: five to ten dated facts, separating personal knowledge from reports by others.
- What exists: orders, contracts, notices, claims, and pending cases.
- What is urgent: exact deadlines, hearings, danger, housing loss, or financial enforcement.
- What you need: the immediate decision or question, with three priorities.
- What you have: a short document index and a safe way to provide records.
This is an organization aid, not a legal filing. Do not submit it in place of a required answer, petition, notice, or evidence declaration.