Educational information only. Not legal advice. Not a law firm. Read the full notice
Pro Se Posse
Before you decide

Set up your paper trail before anything else

The one thing almost everyone wishes they had done sooner is keeping their papers in order. It takes an afternoon and pays off for the whole case.

The short version

Make one place for everything: a folder or binder, a calendar, and a notes page. Keep copies of what you send and proof of how and when you sent it.

The four-part setup

  1. One folder (paper or digital). Everything goes in it, newest on top. Never leave a paper loose.
  2. One calendar. Every date from every paper, with a reminder a week before and a day before.
  3. One notes page. A running log: date, who you spoke to, what was said.
  4. One “sent” habit. Before you send anything, copy it. Keep proof of how you sent it and when.

For each paper you receive

  • Write the date you received it on the first page.
  • Note who sent it and what court or office it came from.
  • List any date mentioned on it in your calendar, even if you aren't sure what it means yet.
  • Make a copy before you do anything else with it.

If you aren't sure what a date means, don't ignore it. Put it on the calendar and ask a help desk, legal aid, or a lawyer how it is counted.

New York specificallySee the New York guides for what to do next →Read the New York version. Pro Se Posse keeps the general ideas here; the New York details live in our reference library.

Last checked: October 26, 2026. This page covers general ideas that hold in most courts. Rules differ by state and by court, so look up the rules for yours.

Educational information only. Not legal advice, not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship. Nothing here tells you what to do in your own case.