Whenever I talk to clients about discovery, I spell it di$covery. I replace the S with a dollar sign because in many cases, discovery costs more than any other part of the process. It is not fun, but it will not kill you. Still, it is one of those technicalities that can derail your case if it is not done right.

I am not only looking for stuff on the other side. I am also making sure I can get all of the evidence you want in front of the court. To do that, I have to dig through the boxes of papers you provide, and that takes time. And time is money. And lawyers are not cheap.

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The “Why” Behind the Pile

• Income and Expenses: Pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage statements. These prove what money is coming in and going out.
• Assets and Debts: Bank statements, car titles, credit card bills. Judges need to see the full picture before dividing property or setting support.
• Parenting Proof: School records, calendars, even receipts for extracurriculars. These show who is really doing the heavy lifting.

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The Mistakes People Make

• Dragging Their Feet: Delaying documents just runs up your bill and annoys the judge.
• Cherry-Picking: Sending only the “good” records backfires. Opposing counsel will find the rest, and now your credibility is shot.
• Guessing Instead of Showing: A sworn statement about your expenses carries weight, but hard numbers carry more.

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How to Make It Easier

• Stay Organized. Keep a folder on your computer (or in a shoebox, if that is your speed) for bills, pay stubs, and statements.
• Go Digital. Download PDFs straight from your bank instead of scanning wrinkled receipts from your truck console.
• Ask Questions. If you do not understand why something is needed, ask. There is always a reason.

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Why It Matters in Court

I have watched cases turn on a single document. One side waves their hands and says, “Trust me.” The other side drops a stack of bank statements that tell the whole story. Guess who the judge believes?

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Lawyer Bill’s Advice

When your lawyer asks for paperwork, it is not to torture you. It is to protect you. The fair is where they put ribbons on pigs, but in court, the ribbon goes to the side that shows up with the facts. Hand over the documents, stay organized, and make the judge’s job easy. That is how you win the fight that matters.