Free checklist
The Text Message Evidence Checklist
A simple, no-nonsense system for organizing your own text-message records for a custody or divorce matter — so your timeline is clear, nothing gets lost, and your attorney can work faster. Read it here, or get the full printable Organizer below.
When people hand a pile of screenshots to their attorney, the first thing that happens is someone has to put them in order — and that time is billed to you. A little organization up front saves money and makes your records far easier to use. Here's a process that works.
This is general information, not legal advice. TextTimeline is software, not a law firm. Whether any particular message is admitted as evidence is decided by the court under your state's rules. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.
Step 1 — Save your originals
- Keep original screenshots and exports unedited in one folder.
- Number every file in order (001, 002, 003 …).
- Don't crop out timestamps or sender names.
- Back the folder up somewhere safe — cloud or a second device.
Step 2 — Log the messages that matter
You don't need every message — just the ones that matter. For each, record three things in a simple table:
- Date & time — exactly as shown on the message.
- Who sent it — keep names consistent every time.
- What it shows — one factual sentence, no argument.
- Reference the saved screenshot number so each row ties back to its original.
Step 3 — Track incidents, expenses, and dates
- Log key incidents (a missed exchange, a cancelled visit) by date, factually.
- Track child-related expenses and support payments with receipts.
- Keep a running list of court dates and filed documents.
- Capture surrounding messages for context, not just single lines.
Step 4 — Hand a clean binder to your attorney
- Put the log, trackers, and numbered screenshots together in one place.
- Keep it factual and chronological — a record, not an argument.
- Share it with your attorney so they're not starting from scratch.
When the thread is too big to log by hand
This checklist works well for a few dozen messages. If you've exported a whole thread and it's thousands of messages, logging each one by hand isn't realistic. That's what we built TextTimeline for: upload your own export, search every message instantly, and pull the ones that matter into a report — a PDF and CSV with every entry tied back to its original message, date, and sender, so your attorney can verify each one.
Frequently asked questions
Are text messages allowed as evidence in family court?
Text messages are commonly used in family-law matters, but whether any particular message is admitted is decided by the court under your state's rules of evidence. This organizer helps you keep clear records; it does not decide what a court will accept. Ask a licensed attorney in your state about your specific situation.
How should I save text messages so they stay usable?
Keep the original screenshots or exported files unedited, in one folder, numbered in order. Don't crop out timestamps or sender names. Then log the messages that matter in a simple table — date, time, who sent it, and a short factual summary — and reference the saved file number for each entry.
What's the difference between this checklist and TextTimeline?
The checklist is a free, do-it-yourself system for organizing a manageable number of messages by hand. TextTimeline is for when that isn't realistic — you upload a full export of thousands of messages, search them instantly, and generate a report with every entry tied back to its source. The checklist is yours to keep, free, either way.
Is this legal advice?
No. TextTimeline is software, not a law firm, and this checklist is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your matter, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.