If you’re reading this, you are likely considering contacting a family lawyer for assistance in your family law matter. This post is to help you understand what to expect in a consultation with a family lawyer at our office.

A consultation is a one-on-one meeting with a family lawyer to discuss a high-level overview of process in relation to your separation or divorce or other family law matter. While we do not give specific legal advice during our consultations, we cater the topics to discuss based on the information that you provide at the intake stage. For example, if we know that you have children, and do not yet have a court Order or agreement in place outlining the incidents of parenting, we will be sure to cover topics like parenting time, decision-making responsibility, child support, and section 7 expenses.

To make the most of your consultation, we offer the following tips:

1. DO come prepared: It is helpful when our prospective clients come with their specific concerns, goals, key dates, documents, and other important details readily available. For example, are there any immediate safety concerns involving you or any children? If the other party disputes your claimed date of separation, what is the date that they advance instead, and why might they have a different understanding?
2. DO come candid: There is no judgment here! The more open and honest you are with our staff about the relevant details in your family law matter, the better we can tailor the consultation to your specific needs.
3. DO come with an open mind: Sometimes prospective clients have done research to better understand their family law matter. Our information may differ from advice of family and friends and assumptions from internet searches or artificial intelligence sites, as our practice is guided by 20+ years of experience in family law.
4. DON’T come looking for a “shark”: We understand that turning to a family lawyer for assistance can be an emotional time. Our lawyers are not aggressive “sharks” who will stop at nothing to win your case. Rather, our approach is founded on trust, compassion, and respect; we encourage objective, decision-making that is child focused (where children are involved), practical, reasonable, and focused on the work it takes to generate the best possible outcome. In our experience, clients are satisfied with this approach in the long run. DO come looking for a knowledgeable, respected, supportive advocate who will help you navigate the challenges of your family law with skilled guidance.

Before the end of the consultation, we will review the process to retain our office for representation in your matter. Get in touch with us by filling out our “Let’s Talk” form below.