It’s daunting meeting any professional for the first time and especially in circumstances concerning a family issue. What should you expect and how can you best prepare?
Remember your adviser is on your side and they will want to get to grips with the issues quickly so they can advise and guide you going forward. There is not just one right answer, so your solicitor will be very keen to understand what matters to you and what your goals are. But don’t put more pressure on yourself in what is already an emotional time – sometimes you don’t know what is possible and you may need help working out what would be the correct solution for you and your family.
There are a few general pointers however that it may be helpful to think about before you meet your solicitor.
Whatever the family issue that you need advice about then your solicitor will need basic factual information in every case – full names; dates of birth; addresses; the date of the marriage; cohabitation and separation for example. Maybe think about writing all that down beforehand.
If it is a financial case then try to gather as much information as you can about the nature and value of your assets – what do you think your house may be worth; does it have a mortgage and if so how much is it? What is the income position; what are the outgoings on the home? An overview however incomplete is a very useful start.
If you need help with regard to Children Arrangements then try to think about what practical plans you think would work best from the point of view of the children.
In an emotional situation it can help to think about tangible facts and figures to help shape the discussions. That will enable you and your solicitor to begin to craft a strategy to get you to where you want to be.
