Question 1

How do I create a new case?

Accepted Answer

Click "New Case" from your dashboard, enter case details including your state, and your secure case workspace will be created. Only you can access your case data, protected by bank-level encryption.

Question 2

What should I upload first?

Accepted Answer

Start with financial documents (bank statements, tax returns), property records (deeds, titles), and any existing legal documents. Drag and drop or use the upload button. AI automatically extracts and organizes key information.

Question 3

How do I navigate between case sections?

Accepted Answer

Use the left sidebar to navigate between Overview, Timeline, Documents, Messages, Assets, Settlement, Calendar, Tasks, Expenses, Journal, and Calculators. On mobile, use the bottom tab bar.

Question 4

Can I access Civilly on my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Civilly works in mobile browsers with all features including camera upload, touch navigation, offline access, and safety features. Native iOS and Android apps are coming soon.

Question 5

What file types can I upload?

Accepted Answer

Civilly supports PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF documents; JPG, PNG, HEIC images; and XLS, XLSX, CSV spreadsheets. Maximum 20MB per file. Full AI features available for PDF and common image formats.

Question 6

How do I organize documents into folders?

Accepted Answer

Click "New Folder" to create folders, then drag and drop documents into them. Create nested subfolders, move documents between folders, or use smart folders that auto-organize by type. Search works across all folders.

Question 7

Can I search within my documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes, AI-powered search finds text in all documents including scanned PDFs and images. Use natural language queries like "bank statements from 2023" or filter by date, type, and folder.

Question 8

How do I share documents with my attorney?

Accepted Answer

Download individual documents or use bulk export for multiple files. Generate formatted PDF reports with metadata. Use secure transfer methods when sharing. Direct attorney sharing features coming soon.

Question 9

How do I connect my bank accounts?

Accepted Answer

Go to Assets, click "Connect Bank", select your bank, and log in securely via Plaid. Civilly imports balances, transactions, and statements automatically. Your data is encrypted and private.

Question 10

How do the child support calculators work?

Accepted Answer

Select your state in Calculators, enter income and custody details, and get estimated support ranges based on official state guidelines. Results are for planning only; actual orders depend on court discretion.

Question 11

How do I track marital assets vs. separate property?

Accepted Answer

In Assets, classify each item as Marital or Separate property. Add current values and supporting documents. The Settlement workspace uses these classifications to help with fair asset division.

Question 12

How do I import text messages?

Accepted Answer

Export texts from your phone (iPhone via iCloud, Android via SMS Backup+), then upload the file in Messages > Import. Messages are imported chronologically and become searchable.

Question 13

Can I log phone calls and in-person conversations?

Accepted Answer

In Messages, click "Log Entry" to record phone calls, in-person meetings, or voicemails. Enter date, time, and notes. The entry appears on your timeline and is searchable.

Question 14

How does the evidence timeline work?

Accepted Answer

Timeline shows all documents, messages, conversations, events, and expenses in chronological order. Filter by type or date, search across entries, and export for court or attorney review. Updates automatically.

Question 15

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Civilly uses bank-level security: AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit, and row-level database security. Only you can access your data—Civilly employees cannot view your content.

Question 16

Can my spouse access my account?

Accepted Answer

No. Only you can access your account. There is no shared access mode, and password resets require email verification. Use a strong password, enable 2FA, and consider a private browser for extra safety.

Question 17

What is the Journal, and who can see it?

Accepted Answer

The Journal is your completely private space—only you can see entries, not even Civilly staff. Use it for personal notes, incident documentation, or emotional processing. Entries are never shared automatically.

Question 18

How do I quickly leave the site if needed?

Accepted Answer

Click "Leave Site" in the top-right corner or press Escape twice. You will instantly go to weather.com with no browser history entry. The back button will not return you to Civilly.

Question 19

What happens to my data if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

After canceling, you have 30 days of full access to export data. After 30 days, account becomes read-only. After 90 days, data is permanently deleted. Export documents and reports before canceling.

Question 20

How do I contact support?

Accepted Answer

Email support@civilly.io for help within 24 hours. Don't include sensitive case details in emails. For urgent safety concerns, use our Safety page resources or call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Documents & Evidence

Financial Tools

Communication

Privacy & Security

Billing & Account