Family law consultations are more productive when counsel can see the legal history, financial picture, and practical priorities together.
Create a family and court timeline
List marriage or relationship dates, separation, prior agreements, moves, significant financial changes, petitions, court appearances, and orders. Identify the next deadline.
Bring every existing order and agreement
Include complete copies of judgments, stipulations, support orders, orders of protection, separation agreements, prenuptial agreements, and modifications—not only the final page.
Organize financial information
Relevant records may include tax returns, pay information, benefit statements, bank and investment accounts, property records, debts, insurance, business interests, and recurring household expenses.
Identify property and obligations
Prepare a list of real estate, vehicles, accounts, valuable personal property, loans, credit cards, tax obligations, and disputed transfers. Note whose name appears on each record.
Define immediate priorities
Safety, housing, access to funds, approaching court dates, children’s schedules, insurance, and preservation of property may require attention before final resolution is possible.
Preserve communications thoughtfully
Keep complete messages and emails. Avoid inflammatory replies, threats, public posts, or attempts to create evidence through staged communication.
Prepare questions about process
Ask what must happen next, what information is missing, whether temporary relief may be relevant, what could be negotiated, and how cost and communication will be handled.