Family Law

Family law advice is most effective when the relationship history, current arrangements, safety concerns, court documents and financial position are presented clearly.

The first consultation is used to identify the immediate issue, any deadline, the available evidence and the most practical next step.

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What to prepare

Documents and information to bring

A concise chronology including the relationship, marriage and separation dates and important events since separation.
Details of the children, current care arrangements, schooling, health needs and the parenting outcome sought.
Copies of current or previous parenting orders, consent orders, parenting plans, family violence orders and court documents.
Any urgent safety, relocation, recovery, passport or upcoming court-date information.
For property matters: a broad asset and liability schedule, recent bank statements, payslips, tax returns, superannuation details and available business or trust records.
Important communications, proposals and documents already exchanged, together with a list of practical questions for the conference.

Questions for the first conference

Issues the solicitor will usually need to clarify.

Is there an immediate safety issue or an existing court order?
Have dispute resolution or pre-action steps already occurred?
What parenting or financial outcome is sought, and what issues remain disputed?

Preparation guide Read the detailed family law consultation checklist. Open guide →