Know the Law



Start with the statutes in the paperwork you have. Follow all related paths until they don't apply anymore to the set of facts you are working with. Check the affirmative defenses under rule 12. Check the required facts that have to be proven to succeed for that cause of action, or that claim, or that statutory issue. Check the procedural rules and administrative regulations. Check for similar or related case law both in your state and federally.



Know the Facts​



Make a sworn statement of facts immediately. Learn to make affidavits. Carefully examine the "facts" presented by the other side. You must challenge their "facts" and prove your "facts". Stipulated facts are facts upon which both parties "agree", or facts which are unrebutted by a party.



Search for "Types of Facts" and "Application of Facts to Law".



Have a Litigation Plan​



 

Look online for flow charts for procedure and processes related to your problem. These can be vital aids to understand what step you just completed and what step you will be addressing next. If you can't find one, find the rules of procedure for the process you are in, and make a flowchart so that you can keep track of your goals, expectations, deadlines, and results.



Keep the File Organized​



Utilize file folders and some type of physical file storage to keep copies for yourself of every document. Use color to aid in your organization process. The office supply section has an endless array of useful, and some not so useful gadgets and gizmos to help you stay organized and in control. Avoid confusion with documents. Confusion and lost documents are your enemy, and can cost you in both the long and short term. Create a set of personal document rules for yourself, and do not break them.



Set up File Database

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I have learned to make .pdf copies of all of my documents. When I save them, I name with the date: year.month.day (2013.01.18;) followed by any group name or name of document type and then an identifier. For example one my my case files might be named 2012.10.13; STIPULATED FACTS; CHILD SUPPORT.


I can now easily use the search function in my files and folders to locate the document and related it to other documents, files, and steps of the process. I can quickly attach it to an email or upload it to the Internet in the event that I would need to do so.



I have learned to use and apply icon files. Icons are a fun little distraction if you are hard at work on a case, and the images will help you remember where things are, who people are, etc. Do a search for "working with icons", "free icons", "using icons", and .ico.



I have a special face on each file folder for each of the lawyers. It makes the work a lot more bearable, even though I have no idea what most of them really look like; I know who they are in my files because I gave them an imaginary and suitable "icon face". 

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Establish a reminder system.​



I create a CASE PROGRESSION CALENDAR for each case I am working on. If the cases are interrelated  I do a "Case Within A Case" Progression Calendar. You can search online for "blank calendars" and download the specific months you need for your case. I then copy and paste each month into a new word document, in order from recent to past. I usually add several months into the future right away so that I don't have to go back and do it later. Then, I add in the dates of important activity, dates of documents, events, service, etc. You can use the rules of procedure to count the days and plan ahead for service and responses, deadlines, and keep the case moving through the process; preventing stagnation and delay. All of this can be done with Open Office Programs. You can use the spreadsheet program to manage data, the drawing program to create charts; learning to create and manage documents will help you achieve your goals.



Whatever way you use to remind yourself of tasks, put it in high gear so that you will never miss a deadline involving service of process or court filing procedure.



There are arguments and ways to extend time; so don't give up just because you missed a deadline. If you have a good reason, tell it. You have a right to stand up for yourself, and you are not obligated to act as an attorney would. If you have an attorney, learn to make him do the things which are necessary to secure your offense/defense. Let him/her know that you expect effective assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment. Let him/her know that you will be holding them accountable to their Rules of Professional Conduct.



If you don't have a lawyer, reserve your right to edit and revise your documents without leave of court IMMEDIATELY. Do the best you can, and follow each rule as soon as you understand it to the best of your ability; it's all you can do; AND THAT COUNTS.



Choose a trial theme​



See suggested article and others via search engines regarding this topic.