A first family-law consultation is far more useful when you arrive with the basics in hand. Here is the short list we send to every new client.
Documents
Marriage certificate, recent payslips or accounts for both parties if you have them, mortgage or tenancy documents, and any correspondence already exchanged — including messages.
A timeline
One page, in date order: when you married, when you separated, who moved out, and any incident that may be relevant. Dates matter more than detail at this stage.
Your questions, written down
People forget half of what they meant to ask. Bring the list. There is no question in a first consultation that is too small to ask.
