Abstract: Sometimes your lawyer will be preparing papers to file with the court, or responding to something your opponent's lawyer has filed, and he or she needs to present facts that are not already in the record. If the lawyer thinks you know what the facts are on the particular point, he or she may ask you to provide an affidavit. An affidavit is a document setting forth what you know, which you sign under oath, on penalty of perjury. Very frequently, your lawyer or an assistant will call you and then write up an affidavit containing the information you provided over the telephone. This checklist suggests what you should do when you review the affidavit before signing it. (Some of the items may surprise you!)