Divorce file
Filing, service, temporary orders, property, support, and settlement review.
Open guideFamily court preparation
Organize divorce, custody, support and protection questions before the next step.
Use these guides to sort orders, deadlines, parenting records, financial documents, safety concerns, and focused questions before reviewing official forms or speaking with a qualified professional.
01Identify the active paper
Petition, order, notice, agreement, agency letter, or hearing date.
02Separate urgent facts
Safety, child exchange, support cutoff, service deadline, home access, or move date.
03Prepare proof calmly
Timeline, messages, payment records, calendars, school records, and financial documents.
Main paths
Start with the problem in front of you.
Family cases move more smoothly when the facts are sorted by case type, state, existing order, next deadline, and the document that needs review.
Custody file
Parenting time, legal custody, safety concerns, relocation, and order changes.
Open guideSupport file
Income records, support worksheets, arrears, enforcement, insurance, and modification timing.
Open guideProtection file
Protective orders, safety planning, evidence, temporary custody, and hearing preparation.
Open guideReader protection
Keep private facts private until the recipient and purpose are clear.
Family law records can include children, addresses, finances, medical facts, school details, abuse allegations, and identity documents. Use the checklists to prepare a summary without oversharing sensitive records.
- General information only.
- No outcome promises.
- No lawyer directory.
- Verify state rules through official sources.
State guides
Browse family law preparation pages by state.
Practical tools
Turn a stressful file into a clearer checklist.
Consultation checklist
Prepare a short timeline, current orders, goals, deadlines, and questions.
Open checklistCustody evidence
Sort parenting calendars, exchange notes, school records, and safety concerns.
Open checklistSupport worksheet prep
Collect income records, childcare costs, insurance costs, and payment history.
Open worksheetCompare legal help
Use neutral questions about scope, fees, communication, safety, and local procedure.
Open guide