Best Tools for Self-Represented Litigants

Representing yourself in family court? These tools help you stay organized, meet deadlines, and present your case effectively—without hiring a full-service attorney.

What Self-Represented Litigants Need

✓ Evidence Organization

Store and organize emails, texts, documents, photos chronologically

✓ Incident Documentation

Record events as they happen with dates, times, and details

✓ Timeline Creation

Build chronological timelines showing case progression

✓ Court Preparation

Create exhibits, prepare documents for filing

Tool Comparison

ThreadLock (Specialized for SRLs)

Best for: Self-represented litigants in family law cases

Strengths:

  • ✓ Designed specifically for SRLs
  • ✓ No legal expertise required
  • ✓ Automatic timeline creation
  • ✓ AI-powered documentation help
  • ✓ Court-ready export
  • ✓ $29/month (affordable)

Limitations:

  • • Requires subscription
  • • Family law focus only

Spreadsheets (Free)

Best for: Extremely budget-conscious users comfortable with manual organization

Pros: Free, flexible. Cons: Time-intensive, no file storage, no automation, easy to make mistakes.

OurFamilyWizard

Best for: Co-parent communication and scheduling

Pros: Communication tracking, court-admissible records. Cons: Limited evidence storage, expensive ($99-$199/year per parent), requires both parents to use it.

Clio (Attorney Software)

Best for: Licensed attorneys managing multiple client cases

Pros: Full practice management. Cons: Expensive ($69-$129+/month), attorney-focused interface, overkill for single case.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Attorney Consultation: $200-400/hour

If disorganized materials add even 2 hours to attorney review time, that's $400-800 in extra costs.

ThreadLock: $29/month

Arrive at consultations organized. Save attorney time. $29/month pays for itself if it saves even 10 minutes of attorney time.

Time Saved: Priceless

Reduce stress, feel confident, focus on your case instead of fighting with spreadsheets.

FAQs

What software do I need as a self-represented litigant?

Essential software for self-represented litigants includes: case management/organization tools (like ThreadLock), document storage, calendar/deadline tracking, and communication archiving. These help you stay organized, meet deadlines, and present your case effectively.

Is ThreadLock designed for people without lawyers?

Yes. ThreadLock is specifically designed for self-represented litigants in family law cases. The interface guides you through evidence organization, incident documentation, and court preparation without requiring legal expertise. You can also grant access to an attorney if you decide to hire one later.

Can I afford legal technology as a self-represented litigant?

ThreadLock costs $29/month, significantly less than a single hour with most attorneys ($200-$400/hour). Proper organization can save attorney time if you hire limited-scope help, often paying for itself quickly. Free alternatives exist (spreadsheets) but lack the specialized features that save time and reduce stress.

Get the Tools You Need

ThreadLock gives self-represented litigants professional-grade case management at an affordable price. No legal expertise required.

Try ThreadLock Free