Short Answer — What the court will want

In an Alabama partition case, the court will want clear, organized proof that (1) an expense was incurred, (2) the expense related to the property, and (3) you actually paid it. Best evidence includes original or certified copies of invoices, receipts, canceled checks, bank or credit‑card statements showing the payment, contractor invoices plus lien waivers, and before/after photos or permits for work done. If you paid cash, get contemporaneous signed receipts or witness statements and corroborating evidence.

For more about Alabama partition law in general, see the Code of Alabama (partition statutes) and Alabama court rules on evidence and procedure via the Alabama Legislature and Judicial Branch websites: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/ and https://judicial.alabama.gov/.

Detailed Answer — Documents and proof you should collect

1. Primary proof of expense and payment

• Receipts and invoices: Original or photocopies of receipts from suppliers, contractors, hardware stores, or service providers. Each should show date, vendor, description of work/supplies, and amount.
• Canceled checks: Front/back images or originals showing payee name, amount, date, and endorsement. These are strong proof of payment.
• Bank or credit‑card statements: Statements showing the transaction that matches the invoice or receipt. Highlight or annotate the relevant lines (date, payee, amount).
• Electronic payment records: Screenshots, ACH confirmations, PayPal or Zelle records, or merchant receipts that tie payment to the invoice.

2. Supporting documents linking the spend to the property

• Contracts or written estimates from contractors that describe the scope of work and specific property address.
• Building permits, inspection reports, or municipal correspondence referencing the property and the work done.
• Photos showing the condition before and after repairs or improvements, dated or with metadata if possible.
• Receipts showing material purchases tied to the address (e.g., lumber or roofing materials marked to the property).

3. Documents showing your ownership share and entitlement

• Deed or title showing ownership share.
• Mortgage statements, property tax bills, and escrow records if you’re seeking credit for payments made on those obligations.

4. Evidence for cash payments

• Any written receipts signed by the payee that identify the payor, amount, and purpose.
• Contemporaneous text messages, emails, or photos that corroborate the transaction.
• Affidavits or testimony from witnesses who saw the payment or the work performed.

5. Accounting and summarizing documents

• A one‑page summary spreadsheet listing each expense, date, purpose, source document reference, and amount you seek to recover.
• Exhibit tabs or numbered attachments so the judge and opposing parties can easily trace each line item to proof.

6. Evidence of repairs vs. improvements

Court treatment can differ between necessary repairs (maintenance) and capital improvements (which increase value). For large projects, consider getting an independent appraisal or testimony to show whether the expenditure should be reimbursed or credited as an improvement. Preserve contractor invoices, permits, and photos to explain the nature and necessity of the work.

How Alabama courts evaluate these documents

In partition actions, an accounting and allocation of expenses may be required. The court looks for reliable foundation for each document. Common practical rules you should expect:

• Business records (bank statements, store receipts) are generally admissible when properly authenticated by the custodian or by affidavit under the rules of evidence. See Alabama Rules of Evidence and local court practices: https://judicial.alabama.gov/.
• Canceled checks and bank statements are persuasive proof of payment if they match invoices.
• If you seek reimbursement, show the expense was reasonable and necessary. Nonessential improvements that increase value may be treated differently than necessary repairs.
• If a co‑owner opposed a repair or did not consent to a major improvement, the court may limit reimbursement or require a credit based on increased sale value.

Practical steps to prepare your paperwork

1. Gather originals or certified copies of invoices, receipts, canceled checks, and bank/credit statements that tie payment to each invoice.
2. Create a clear summary spreadsheet with line‑item links to each supporting document.
3. Group documents by category (repairs, improvements, taxes, mortgage payments) and by date. Use exhibit tabs or numbered labels.
4. Collect corroborating evidence: photos, permits, contractor licenses, lien waivers, and any written communications with co‑owners about the work.
5. If records are missing, prepare affidavits explaining attempts to obtain them and identify secondary proof (witness statements, electronic payment logs, vendor confirmations).
6. Consider a short affidavit or declaration under oath explaining your bookkeeping method and authenticity of the documents.
7. Serve document copies on the opposing party as required by the court rules and be ready to produce original documents at hearing or trial.

Typical problems and how to avoid them

• Missing receipts: Try to obtain duplicate receipts from vendors, bank copies, or vendor statements. Use affidavits and corroborating evidence if duplicates are unavailable.
• Cash payments without a receipt: Obtain a signed statement from the payee, and support it with photos, time‑stamped messages, or witness testimony.
• Disputed amounts: Produce estimates, multiple bids, or expert testimony showing reasonableness of cost.
• Records out of order: Courts want an easy trail. Organize and label everything before filing or appearing.

When to involve an attorney

Consider hiring an Alabama attorney when:

• The total amounts at issue are significant or the co‑owner disputes liability or the reasonableness of charges.
• Records are incomplete and you need subpoenas for bank records or vendor testimony.
• The case involves liens, mortgages, or tax issues that complicate allocation.
• You need help preparing admissible evidence, affidavits, or a persuasive accounting for the court.

Hypothetical example

Suppose you and a co‑owner own a house 50/50. You paid $4,200 to repair a leaking roof after storm damage. To prove the $4,200 in a partition accounting you would present:

• Contractor invoice describing the roof repair and the property address.
• Canceled check image or bank statement line showing payment to the contractor for $4,200 on the invoice date.
• Before and after photos of the roof and the contractor’s license or permit records.
• A one‑page summary entry showing: date, vendor, invoice number, amount, and exhibit reference.
• If the co‑owner objects that this was an ‘‘improvement,’’ an appraisal or contractor testimony showing the work was necessary maintenance will help your position.

Helpful Hints

• Keep originals when possible; courts prefer originals or properly authenticated copies.
• Match each receipt to a bank/credit card transaction to show payment.
• If you rely on business records, be ready to lay the foundation (custodian testimony or affidavit) so the record fits an exception to hearsay rules.
• Label and tab exhibits and prepare a concise one‑page accounting so the judge can see totals at a glance.
• For cash payments, secure signed receipts at the time of payment and contemporaneous photo or text confirmation.
• Preserve communications with co‑owners about repairs (texts, emails) showing notice and, where applicable, consent.
• When in doubt about admissibility, ask an attorney to help prepare affidavits and exhibit foundations.