PREPARE YOUR RECORDS

Records checklist for a divorce or family law attorney meeting

Make the history easier to explain, so your meeting can focus on the questions you need answered.

If you are looking for a divorce attorney or preparing for a custody consultation, Evidence Locker can help organize your own records. It does not match you with lawyers or provide legal advice. Ask the attorney what they want to receive and how before sending sensitive files.

Before the meeting

• Write a short list of questions and the decisions you need help understanding.
• List relevant dates in chronological order. Mark uncertain dates clearly.
• Keep documents the attorney has requested together, including any notices or existing agreements relevant to the conversation.
• Gather original messages and attachments that relate to the events you want to discuss.
• Make a separate list of missing records or details you need to confirm.

A simple folder structure

Use descriptive names that help you find the source later, such as “2026-09-08 appointment confirmation.” Keep originals in one place and put working summaries in another. A PDF timeline can be the overview, while the original files preserve the underlying context.

Questions to ask about your timeline

• Which dates and events are relevant to the issue we are discussing?
• What context or original records would help you evaluate these entries?
• How should I share sensitive files with your office?
• Are any deadlines or court-specific requirements involved?
• What should I avoid collecting or sharing?

Bring a readable overview

Evidence Locker lets you choose a date range, preview an exported timeline and save a PDF. The fictional sample report shows the format without requiring an account. Your attorney can advise whether and how any of your records should be used; the report is not automatically a court filing.

For advocates and professional resource lists

This checklist and the free parenting-time log can be shared by linking directly to these pages. No endorsement or affiliation is implied. Please share the blank resources, not someone’s private case records.

Published by Evidence Locker · Updated September 23, 2026 · Record-organization guidance, not legal advice.