Legal guide
What to Bring to Your First Meeting With a Family Lawyer
A first meeting does not require a perfect binder. It does benefit from a small set of records that shows what happened, what exists and what needs attention first.
Last reviewed: August 13, 2026
Begin with a one-page chronology
List the relationship, cohabitation, marriage and separation dates. Add the children’s birth years, major housing changes and any court or agreement dates. Mark facts that are uncertain instead of guessing.
Write the three questions that matter most now. Immediate safety, a parenting exchange tomorrow or a response deadline should not be buried beneath property history.
Bring the documents already governing the situation
Include marriage or cohabitation agreements, separation agreements, court orders, filed papers and recent correspondence proposing terms. Keep the complete document, including schedules and signatures.
For parenting, bring the current schedule, school information and any record needed to explain a particular concern. Avoid submitting hundreds of routine messages without identifying why they matter.
Build a basic financial snapshot
Recent tax returns, notices of assessment, pay records, bank and investment statements, pension information, title, mortgage statements and debt balances are useful. Business owners may need corporate financial records.
A rough asset-and-debt table helps reveal missing information. It does not commit anyone to a value or legal position.
Questions people often ask
Is this guide legal advice?
No. It provides general information. A complete answer requires the facts, documents, applicable law and current procedure for the individual matter.