When you first book an appointment with a family solicitor, it can often be a daunting experience – after all, no one really wants to have reached the point where they need any kind of legal advice, especially if that means separating or divorcing your partner and dealing with children. Your options and what you can do – Full solicitor meetings are there for you, and a small amount of preparation will lead to clearer recommendations, sooner.
First things first - What do you want to do?
You should record (in layman’s terms) what you want to achieve from the discussion before your meeting. Such as: continuing to live in the family home, reaching a fair financial settlement, arrangements for children, or simply keeping things amicable.
You do not have to bring every piece of paper you ever owned, but here is a good list, which goes from most important down:
ID, passport or driving licence, and utility bill
Marriage/civil partnership certificate (if relevant)
Information about any children: names, date of birth, school/nursery attended and current routine
Quick overview – dates to remember (date moved out, date of separation, big events)
Proof of income: last 3 payslips, your accounts if you are self-employed or employed as a director, and details about benefits.
Recent bank statements (personal and joint)
Info you have on property – mortgage statement, estimated value, ownership
Debts – credit cards, loans, overdrafts and finance agreements
Existing agreements or orders: prenups, consent orders, non-molestation orders and child arrangements orders, for example.
Questions worth asking your solicitor:
Take the list with you so your solicitor has all the information available from the start. For advice from Family Law Solicitors Gloucester, visit https://deeandgriffin.co.uk/personal-legal-services/family-law-solicitors/gloucester
What are the best options for the situation?
When will my situation likely be resolved?
What will this cost? Inquire about hourly rates and fixed fees, as well as what is included.
How can I keep costs to a minimum? (like collecting documents, not going back and forth as much)
Do I need to try mediation? Is it the right time to use or not?
What should I avoid doing? Ask about the errors that can complicate cases.
What happens next? Your solicitor should explicitly define what the next steps are and who carries them out.
Quick takeaway
Your initial meeting is not a trial; it is only a jumping-off point. With your important documents and a list of important queries, by the time you go, you’ll have a sense of what your rights are and where to begin for whatever is next.
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