What to gather before a consultation

Personal and household information

  • Date of marriage or start of common-law relationship
  • Names and ages of any children
  • Current living arrangements (who is living where)
  • Whether there is any court process already started
  • Any existing separation agreements, court orders, or parenting plans

Parenting and children

  • Current parenting schedule, even if informal
  • School and extracurricular information for each child
  • Any agreements about decision-making for health, education, or religion
  • Any concerns about safety or wellbeing
  • Your preferred parenting arrangement, with your reasons

Child support and spousal support

  • Both spouses' incomes, if known (recent tax returns or pay stubs)
  • Whether either party is paying or receiving support already
  • Any special or extraordinary expenses for children (e.g., daycare, medical)
  • Whether either party left work or reduced hours due to the relationship

Property

  • List of significant assets: real estate, vehicles, retirement savings, investments, business interests
  • List of significant debts: mortgage, loans, credit cards
  • Whether either party had property before the relationship
  • Whether either party received an inheritance or gift
  • Title documents or recent statements if available

Documents and deadlines

  • Any court documents with upcoming hearing dates or deadlines
  • Any letters or communications from a lawyer representing the other party
  • File or case numbers for any existing court proceedings
  • Recent financial statements or tax notices of assessment

Questions and goals

  • What outcome matters most to you right now
  • Your questions and concerns to address before making decisions
  • Whether you have spoken with a lawyer before
  • Whether you want to resolve things without going to court if possible

Bring what you have; you do not need every document to get started. See family law consultation options and Divorce & Separation support for the levels of support available.

If there is a court process already underway

Deadlines in court proceedings can be short. If a process is underway, prioritize questions about what the documents mean, what you may need to file, and the next steps. No outcome is guaranteed.