What to Bring to Your First Meeting With a Family Lawyer

Meeting a family lawyer for the first time can feel intimidating — especially when you’re already dealing with emotional or financial stress. Our goal is to make that first step feel calm, clear, and supportive.

You don’t need to have everything perfectly organised. You just need enough information to help us understand your situation and map a path forward.

What to Bring

Here’s what’s most useful in a first consultation:

1. Key Documents

Bring what you have — even if it feels incomplete:

• Marriage or relationship dates

• Birth certificates (if discussing parenting)

• Any court documents

• Previous agreements

• Medical or school reports (if relevant)

• Police or domestic violence reports (if applicable)

Don’t stress if you can’t find everything — this is just a starting point.

2. Financial Information

Clarity around finances helps us guide you accurately. Useful documents include:

• Bank statements

• Superannuation statements

• Mortgage or rental information

• Loan documents

• Business records (if relevant)

Again, rough figures are perfectly fine at this stage.

3. A Timeline

A simple, honest timeline helps us understand the situation quickly. Include:

• When separation occurred

• Major events or concerns

• Any urgent issues
  

What You Can Expect

During your first appointment, we will:

• Listen to your story with care and without judgement

• Explain your options in clear, everyday language

• Identify any immediate priorities

• Map out the next steps

• Answer your questions honestly and directly

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your rights, responsibilities, and the best way forward.

What You Don’t Need to Do

You don’t need to rehearse anything.
You don’t need to have all the answers.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or nervous.

This is a safe space. Our role is to support you, not to judge you.

That initial meeting can be the moment everything starts to feel manageable again. If you're ready to get clear about your next steps, we’re here to guide you with calm, compassionate expertise.