People change attorneys for many reasons. Whatever the reason, the new attorney needs to get up to speed quickly, and an organized file helps.
What to gather from your own records
- Every letter, email and text with the previous firm.
- Court papers or notices you received.
- Bills, receipts and records related to your case.
- Photos, insurance information and claim numbers.
- A short timeline in your own words: what happened and when.
The file from the previous firm
Your new attorney will usually request the file from the previous firm. Make a note of anything you know they have, such as medical records, reports or settlement letters, so nothing is missed.
Make a simple index
List each document with its date and a one-line description. A few pages of index can save hours of the new attorney's time, and often your money.
Keep copies
Give the attorney copies and keep the originals, organized in the same order as the index.
General information, not legal advice. Your attorney will tell you what they need and how to handle the transfer.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or regulatory advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a licensed professional.
