Free checklist · PDF
Before you call a lawyer: checklist
A checklist of documents and facts to gather before calling a lawyer.
1 page, US Letter size, 43 KB. Free, no sign-up.
You can tick the boxes and type into this PDF on a computer or phone, then save or print it.
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Printing tips
- Print at actual size (100%), not "fit to page", so the lines stay a usable size.
- It is laid out for US Letter paper and also fits A4.
- Turn on "background graphics" if the colors come out pale.
What is on this checklist
Gather
- A short timeline: what happened and when
- Names and contact details of everyone involved
- Letters, emails, texts and contracts
- Photos, videos, police or incident reports
- Bills, receipts and pay stubs (for money you lost)
- Insurance policies and claim numbers
Know your dates
- The date it happened
- Any deadline in a letter or court paper you received
- Deadlines can be short. Call early rather than late.
Don’t
- Post about the case on social media
- Sign anything from the other side’s insurer before advice
- Throw away anything that might be evidence
