What to Expect When You First Meet With a Family Lawyer

Going through separation is a difficult time with lots of practical considerations and emotions. It is vital to take advice at an early stage so that you are aware of your options moving forward so that you are fully aware of the processes available to you to aid with resolution. Getting things on the "right track" at the start is important and can make a real difference and will hopefully assist in reaching an amicable agreement.

Your first meeting with a family lawyer can feel daunting – opening up about such personal issues to someone who you do not know is not an easy thing to do and may feel like big step to take. It may be that your partner, friends and family are unaware of your feelings and that you have been struggling to decide what to do, or how to approach issues for the best.

To help alleviate any worry, here is a guide to what to expect at your first meeting:

1. Dates

You will be asked to provide relevant dates such as:

a. Date of cohabitation

b. Date of marriage

c. Date of separation (if this has occurred)

d. Dates of birth for yourself, your former partner and any dependant children

2. Background

We will ask you about the background to the financial issues, such as whether the home is rented or owned, and, whether this is in joint names or in on person's sole name. We will also ask whether there are any contributions that either partner has made or inheritances that have been received by you or your former partner.

We will also explore with you any other issues that impact upon you, or the children, to include any health conditions or needs that you have or whether there are any issues in relation to your partner's behaviour that are concerning you, whether it be about financial issues, the children or behaviour towards you.

3. Financial Circumstances

We will discuss with you what your respective financial positions are in term of income, capital, and pension provision along with any liabilities that you each have.

It's absolutely fine at this stage if you don't know exact figures or even if you do not know in detail about your former partner's position. This is quite usual and we will provide guidance to you based on your individual circumstances.

However, the more information you can provide, the better as it gives a clearer picture of the position.

4. Outcomes

We will explore with you what your desired outcomes are. For example, if there is a jointly owned property would you like this to be sold or would you prefer to consider buying out your former partner? It is helpful for us to understand this at an early stage so that we can consider with you the realistic possibilities and outcomes.

Please do not worry though if you are unsure about how you want to move forward, we will talk you through the options and you do not have to make any decisions at this time.

5. Procedure

We will talk you through the processes that are available to you to help to resolve matters and consider what the best approach may be for your individual circumstances and in consideration of your desired outcomes.

6. Cost

We will give you an indicative idea of the costs that may be incurred in each action.

Finally, you can of course bring a trusted friend or relative with you to the appointment if you wish to do so. Some people also find it useful to write down any questions they have ahead of the meeting as a reminder so that they can ask any specific questions they have in the meeting.

Hopefully the above will assist in the event that you do require assistance from a family lawyer and help you to prepare for the meeting to get the most out of this.

We often find that people feel relieved after the first meeting and that any nervousness dissipates quite quickly. The meeting is nothing to worry about and we really do want to help - it is just a conversation.