Primers

Write a Clean Timeline (That a Judge Can Read Fast)

This page is part of the Men Too Movement’s education series. It’s general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by court and state.

Big Picture

Your timeline is the spine of your case: one line per event, each with a source.
Judges scan fast—make dates unmistakable and sources obvious.

Quick Wins

Use mm/dd/yyyy and include the year every time.
Three columns: Date • Event (one sentence) • Source (Exhibit tag).
Keep an “open” timeline and update it after every development.

Core Steps

Draft the first pass from your messages, photos, and receipts.
Verify dates against original files; correct immediately.
Map each event to an exhibit (A, B, C…); add page refs later.
Print a one‑page summary for hearing day.

Toolkit Downloads

Need the step‑by‑step Playbook?

The detailed, state‑specific checklist, timers, and auto‑docs live on Justice CoPilot™. We’ll link the exact Playbook here when it’s ready.

Disclaimer: This is general education for a Virginia‑leaning audience, offered by Men Too Movement. It is not legal advice and doesn’t create an attorney‑client relationship. Laws and court practices change. Talk to a licensed lawyer about your case.