GUIDE 5

Homeowner Timeline Worksheet

One page to see your whole case

This is a self-help worksheet, not a court document. You can do this in a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a simple table in a document.

1. Basic structure

Create a table with columns: #, Date, Event, Who Was Involved, Documents/Evidence, Notes.

2. What to list (in order as best you can)

Start from the earliest things you remember, then work forward. Examples of events to include: first serious payment trouble or missed payment; any "you're late" or "default" letters; first acceleration / "full balance due" letter; date of each foreclosure case filing (if more than one); any loan modification agreements or trial plans; any "we sold your loan" or servicer change letters; dates of assignments you know about; any sale date notices; any complaints or grievances you filed (CFPB, AG, etc.); key court orders you received (if you know the dates).

Don't stress if you don't have exact dates for everything. Approximations with month/year are fine to start.

3. Example row

Row 1 — 2017-03-15 — Acceleration letter received — Servicer XYZ — "Notice of Acceleration" letter — First time they demanded full balance.

Row 2 — 2018-06-01 — First foreclosure case filed — Bank ABC as Plaintiff — Court summons & complaint — Index number: ______.

Row 3 — 2020-02-10 — Case dismissed (without prejudice) — Same — Court order (if available) — Unsure why; no one explained clearly.

4. Why this matters

When you show up with a simple timeline, attorneys can instantly see the shape of your case. Patterns like repeated foreclosure attempts and long gaps become visible, not just "gut feelings." You make it easier for anyone helping you to spot potential issues.

5. How often to update

Update the timeline whenever something major happens: new filing, dismissal, sale date, modification offer, complaint, etc. Keep a printed copy and a digital one if you can.