“If it’s not in the chart, it didn’t happen.” This quote is a well settled principle in nursing home litigation. This article stresses the importance of appropriate charting as the best risk-management tool a nursing home and long term care facility can use to limit its exposure to potential claims. A well-documented and complete chart can be a nursing facility’s best defense against a resident’s claim. Within the article, we provide practical tips on how to avoid liability, and provide good resident care, by taking the time to create accurate and appropriate charts contemporaneous with care.