If you are considering meeting with a family lawyer or have already booked a family law consultation and are unsure what to expect, we hope this post will help you to feel more prepared and make the most of your first meeting.
Our office typically schedules family law consultations for one hour, although they may run shorter or longer depending on the complexity of your situation. We offer consultations both in person at our office or remotely by video call, depending on your preference.
Prospective clients are provided with an Intake Form to complete in advance of the consultation, which includes some basic information about yourself and the other party, such as your former spouse. We encourage prospective clients to bring with them any relevant documents, as well as a list of any questions they may have for the lawyer.
Many people worry about sharing personal information with a lawyer. It is important to know that the lawyer is required to keep any information you share during the consultation confidential, even if you decide not to retain that lawyer to represent you. There are very limited exceptions to this rule, such as where the lawyer believes there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else.
The lawyer will begin the consultation by asking questions about your family, finances, and circumstances to better understand your situation, including:
- History of income and employment before and during the relationship;
- Your children’s school or childcare arrangements, and whether there are any health or educational issues to be aware of;
- Parenting responsibilities during the relationship and since separation;
- Relationship dynamics, including any history of family violence;
- A general overview of assets and debts, with more detailed information to be obtained at a later stage; and
- Most importantly, your unique goals and priorities.
With this information, the lawyer will be able to
- Flag the legal issues in your case;
- Provide a preliminary assessment of the issues in your case;
- Outline possible next steps and options;
- Recommend an appropriate process, whether negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings; and
- Discuss anticipated legal fees and costs.
The consultation is also an opportunity for both the lawyer and the prospective client to determine whether they are a good fit to work together. If the client decides to move forward with our office, we will provide a retainer agreement outlining the scope of services and next steps.
We understand that meeting with a family lawyer can feel overwhelming, and our goal is to provide practical advice, clear communication, and guidance from the very first meeting.
Disclaimer: The blog sets out a variety of materials relating to the law to be used for educational and non-commercial purposes only; the author(s) of the blog do not intend the blog to be a source of legal advice. Please retain and seek the advice of a lawyer and use your own good judgement before choosing to act on any information included in the blog. If you choose to rely on the materials, you do so entirely at your own risk.
