How to Prepare for Your First Family Law Appointment

Attending your first family law appointment can feel daunting. The purpose of the first meeting is usually to understand the background, identify any urgent issues, clarify the legal issues in dispute, and discuss available options and likely next steps.

A little preparation can make the appointment far more useful and help to ensure that the advice that you receive is focused, practical, and tailored to your circumstances.

Completing the Questionnaire

Before the first appointment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to collect the key information commonly needed in family law matters, including:

• Personal details and contact information;
• Your former partner’s details;
• Relationship history and separation details;
• Details of any children relevant to the matter;
• Current living arrangements;
• Assets, liabilities, superannuation, and financial resources;
• Contributions made during the relationship and since separation;
• Agreements or orders already in place;
• Family violence and safety concerns; and
• The outcome you wish to achieve.

Why the Questionnaire is so Helpful

A completed questionnaire can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of the first appointment. It allows your solicitor to:

• Identify whether the matter involves parenting, property, spousal maintenance, divorce, family violence, or a combination of issues;
• Assess whether there are urgent concerns requiring immediate attention;
• Understand your current financial position;
• Identify any existing court orders, proceedings, or agreements; 
• Clarify whether mediation or family dispute resolution has already occurred; and
• Focus the meeting on practical legal advice and clear next steps rather than basic fact-gathering.

If you cannot answer every question, try not to worry. It is common for some information to be unknown at the outset. Even an incomplete questionnaire is still helpful.

Documents to provide before your appointment (if available)

If you have them, providing these to our office ahead of time can be very helpful

• Parenting plans, court orders, or written proposals;
• Section 60I certificate (if you have attended, attempted, or been assessed for family dispute resolution/mediation); and
• Any Family Violence Intervention Orders, Family Violence Safety Notices, police applications, or related Magistrates’ Court documents (These documents are important because they may affect how we can communicate and who we can communicate with, including whether there are any restrictions involving protected persons).

What to Bring to the First Appointment

In addition to completing the questionnaire and providing the documents listed above, it is helpful to bring (or email) any documents and information you already have.

A Short Timeline of Key Events

A brief timeline (or dot points) of important dates and significant events can be very helpful, particularly where there has been a major incident or turning point that relates to the issues in dispute.

A timeline can help you explain what has happened clearly and in order, at your own pace, without feeling overwhelmed or accidentally missing key events you want to raise.

A List of Questions

Writing down your questions in advance can help you make the most of the appointment. For example:

• What are the legal options?
• Is mediation required?
• Is court necessary?
• What are the likely next steps?
• What documents will be needed?
• What outcome is realistic?

It Is Not Necessary to Have Everything Perfectly Organised

Clients often worry they need every document, every date, and every financial detail ready before seeing a family lawyer. That is not the case.

The first appointment is a starting point. The questionnaire and any supporting documents you can provide will help identify:

• What information is already available;
• What issues need immediate attention;
• What documents are missing; and
• What further steps should be taken.

Completing the questionnaire carefully and bringing any key documents you already have will put you in a strong position for an effective first appointment.
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If you need a family lawyer to guide you through the legal process, then call our office to make an appointment on (03)56235166.

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Disclaimer: The information in this post is general in nature. This does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Please contact one of our Lawyers if you are seeking advice about a specific legal matter.

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