Lately I keep getting this question. My divorce is going to trial and the judge told me I need a trial notebook. What do I put in a trial notebook and why do I want one?

A trial notebook is a three-ring binder which contains tabs to help organize the documents that you will need to refer to during the trial. Put any of the documents you will need in the binder and label the tabs for each section.

Some suggestions for what you may need are as follows:

  • pretrial motions and orders 
  • copies of all other pleadings and motions by each party (Petitioner and Respondent)
  • discovery transcripts and responses
  • witness lists
  • exhibits you want to use (assets and financial records with subsections for property division, financial spreadsheets, tax returns, debts, bank accounts, pensions, child support, visitation and custody issues, etc.)
  • research and law that applies to your case, including trial brief if submitted
  • subpoenas

This is not an exhaustive list. Create a table of contents for the documents so you can find them easily within the sections. For more information about what you may wish to include in a trial notebook look at the classic McElhaney’s Trial Notebook or check out Debbie Brooks Advanced Civil Litigation Handbook for King County Superior Court. Both books are available in the King County Law Library.