Trailblazer Divorce Coaching
My Divorce Process
Timeline Tracker
Document every step, every date, every next action. Your record of the journey, all in one place.
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Your timeline starts here.
Add your first entry to begin documenting your divorce process. Every filing, hearing, phone call, and next step belongs here, not in a notebook that can get lost.
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Upcoming deadlines and events
How this tracker works
This tracker is your personal record of everything that happens during your divorce. You do not need legal training to use it. Every time something occurs, whether it is a court date, a phone call with your attorney, a document you receive, or a next step you need to take, add an entry. The more you record, the clearer your picture becomes, and the more prepared you will be at every stage.
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Add an entry for each event
Click "Add entry" any time something happens or needs to happen. You do not need to fill in every field. Even a short note with a date is valuable.
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Choose the right phase
Each phase represents a stage in the divorce process. If you are unsure which phase applies, use "Other." The glossary below explains each phase in plain language.
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Record what happened and what is next
The "What happened" field is your record of facts. The "Next step" field is your action item. Who is responsible tells you and your attorney who owns the follow-up.
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Set the status
Mark entries as Urgent (needs immediate attention), Pending (waiting on action or outcome), or Complete (resolved and done). Update status as things change.
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Add deadlines to the calendar
Switch to the Deadlines and Calendar tab to track court dates, filing deadlines, and response windows. Deadlines display on the calendar and in the upcoming list below it.
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Export your timeline as a PDF
Use the Export PDF button at any time to generate a clean, printable record of all your entries. Bring it to consultations or share it with your attorney.
What do these phases mean?
Filing
Filing is the official start of your divorce. One spouse (the "petitioner") submits a legal document called a Petition for Divorce to the court. This document states that you want a divorce and includes basic information about your marriage, children, and assets.
Record here: the date you or your spouse filed, the case number you received, any initial paperwork you signed or received.
Service of Process
After filing, the divorce papers must be officially delivered to the other spouse. This is called "service." It is usually done by a process server or sheriff. The other spouse then has a set number of days (varies by state) to respond. If your spouse filed first, this is when you received your papers.
Record here: the date papers were served, who served them, the deadline for a response, and any acknowledgment of receipt.
Temporary Orders
While the divorce is being processed (which can take months or even years), either spouse can request temporary orders from the court. These are short-term legal decisions about who stays in the house, who has the children during the process, and whether temporary support is paid. They stay in effect until the final divorce decree.
Record here: any hearings for temporary orders, what was decided, amounts of support ordered, and custody arrangements while the case is pending.
Discovery
Discovery is the formal process of gathering information and evidence. Both sides can request documents (bank statements, tax returns, property records), ask written questions (called interrogatories), and request in-person testimony (called depositions). It is how both sides learn about each other's finances, assets, and facts relevant to the case.
Record here: documents you sent or received, deadlines for producing documents, deposition dates, and any disputes about information being withheld.
Mediation
Mediation is a structured conversation between both spouses, guided by a neutral third party called a mediator. The goal is to reach agreements on contested issues (custody, property, support) without going to trial. It is less formal, less expensive, and often faster than court. Many judges require it before allowing a case to proceed to trial.
Record here: mediation dates, who the mediator was, what issues were discussed, what was agreed to, and what remains unresolved.
Court Hearing
A court hearing is any scheduled appearance before a judge. Hearings can cover many things: temporary orders, motions, arguments about evidence, or contested issues that mediation could not resolve. Not all divorces go to a full trial, but most involve at least one hearing. Your attorney will prepare you for each one.
Record here: hearing dates, the judge assigned, what the hearing was about, what was decided or ordered, and what happens next as a result.
Final Decree
The Final Decree of Divorce (also called the Judgment of Dissolution) is the official court order that legally ends your marriage. It includes all final decisions: property division, custody arrangements, support amounts, and any other terms. Once signed by the judge, your divorce is legally complete. Keep this document permanently.
Record here: the date the decree was signed, any final terms you need to act on, documents you need to update (name, beneficiaries, titles), and what your immediate next steps are.