What to Bring to Your First Meeting With a Family Lawyer

For many people, booking the first meeting with a family lawyer is the hardest step in the whole process. Once it is booked, a new worry appears. What do I bring? Do I need a binder of documents and a rehearsed speech?

No. Come as you are. The meeting works even if you arrive with nothing but your story. That said, a little preparation helps you get more out of the time, and this guide covers what to gather if you can.

SiLaw Group Family Lawyers is a boutique family law and mediation firm in South Surrey. Family law is the only kind of law we practise, and we serve clients in English and Punjabi. The first meeting is a free 30-minute consultation, by phone, video, or in person.

What does the free 30-minute consultation cover?

The first meeting is a conversation, not an interrogation. You describe what is happening in your own words. The lawyer helps you see the legal shape of it: which issues are in play, such as parenting, child support, spousal support, and property and debt, what your options look like, whether that is an agreement between you, mediation, or court where it is truly needed, and what a sensible next step would be.

If you decide to go further, fees are discussed openly before you commit to anything. Our pricing and fees page explains how we charge.

You will not walk out with your whole case resolved in 30 minutes. You should walk out knowing where you stand and what to do next.

The checklist, if you can manage it

None of this is mandatory, and nobody is checking your homework. The more of it you bring, the more specific the advice can be.

Identification and key dates

• Photo ID.
• The date you and your former partner began living together, and your marriage date if you married.
• Your date of separation, even if approximate. It matters more legally than most people expect.
• Your children's names and birth dates.

Income information

• A recent pay stub, or a note of what you earn.
• Your most recent tax return or notice of assessment, if it is handy.
• A rough idea of the other person's income, if you know it.

Support questions usually start with income, so even rough figures make the conversation more useful. Our child support guide explains how that side works.

A list of what you own and owe

• The home and any other real estate.
• Vehicles.
• Bank accounts and savings.
• Pensions, RRSPs, and investments.
• Credit cards, loans, and lines of credit.

Rough values are fine. Nobody expects appraisals at a first meeting. Fuller financial disclosure comes later in the process, and it matters enormously; we have written about why disclosure matters if you want the longer answer.

Existing orders and agreements

• Any court orders, including protection orders.
• Any marriage, cohabitation, or separation agreement, signed or draft.
• Any letters or emails from the other person's lawyer.

If you have been served with court documents, bring them and book promptly, because response timelines can be short.

Your questions, written down

First meetings go quickly, and nerves erase mental lists. Write your questions down beforehand. Some worth considering:

• What are my options besides court? Our dispute resolution page gives you a preview.
• Is there anything I should do, or avoid doing, right now?
• What would you need from me if we go ahead?
• How do your fees work, and how do you keep costs in check?
• How will we communicate, and how quickly can I expect responses?

What if I cannot find these documents?

Come anyway. The consultation still works, and you will leave with a clear list of what to gather and where it usually hides. Do not delay getting advice because the paperwork is not perfect. Missing documents are normal; missed deadlines are the real problem.

Is what I say confidential?

Yes. What you share in a consultation is treated as confidential, whether or not you go on to hire the firm. That is a professional obligation we take seriously, and it exists so you can speak freely. Being candid, including about the parts you are not proud of, is what lets the advice fit your real situation. Surprises help no one, least of all in a courtroom.

Should I bring someone with me?

You can. Some people bring a trusted family member or friend for moral support, and that is welcome. Two things to weigh, though. The most useful consultations are the candid ones, so bring someone you can speak freely in front of. And keep in mind that the advice is for you; a supporter who answers on your behalf makes the meeting less useful, not more. If you are more comfortable in Punjabi, no companion is needed for language reasons, because we hold consultations in Punjabi directly.

What if I am worried about my safety?

Say so, even in the first meeting, and especially there. The consultation can happen by phone or video, at a time that is safe for you, and planning changes when safety is involved. Our family violence page explains the protections and support available. Nothing about your situation is too messy or too small to raise.

Book your free 30-minute consultation

Bring what you have, even if that is only your questions. The first 30 minutes are free, in English or Punjabi, by phone, video, or in person at our South Surrey office. Call (778) 381-9977.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, speak with a lawyer.