Divorce can compress parenting, property, income, debt, housing, and communication into one legal matter. A simple timeline gives the first consultation a structure without asking you to predict every issue.

Begin with the fixed dates

Date of marriage and approximate date of separation
Children’s birth dates and current school or care routines
Dates of moves, major job changes, or significant property purchases
Dates of any prior filings, agreements, mediation, or court orders
Upcoming hearings, deadlines, travel, or school transitions

Mark where documents exist

Next to each important event, note the document that can establish it: a filed paper, closing statement, account record, pay information, tax return, message, photograph, calendar, or written agreement. Do not overwhelm the first meeting with every document you own; identify the categories and bring the papers tied to immediate issues.

Add the current-day picture

Describe the parenting schedule being followed now, who pays recurring expenses, where each person lives, how major accounts are handled, and whether any existing arrangement is breaking down. The present routine often explains why an issue is urgent.

List assets and debts by category

A first list can be simple: real estate, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement, business interests, valuable personal property, credit cards, loans, tax obligations, and other debts. Accuracy matters more than perfect valuation at this stage.

Write three kinds of questions

Urgent: What must happen before the next deadline or change?
Strategic: Which facts or documents may affect the available paths?
Practical: How will communication, scheduling, fees, and document exchange work?

The timeline does not decide the case. It helps the lawyer see where the case begins.

General-information notice: This draft is educational and not legal advice. It remains noindex until reviewed and approved by the attorney.