What Should I Bring to My First Consultation With a Family Law Attorney?
If you’re walking into your first meeting with a family law lawyer, you’re probably dealing with one of the most personal and stressful experiences of your life, whether divorce, custody, or child support. You don’t need to bring everything related to your case and have all the answers.
However, by showing up prepared and ready to talk honestly with our Marlton, NJ, family law lawyers at Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith P.A., you give yourself a better shot at understanding your situation and moving forward with a real plan.
What to Bring to Your First Meeting with a Marlton, NJ, Family Law Lawyer
Ideally, you should bring the following:
- Any court papers you’ve received or filed
- A recent pay stub and last year’s tax return
- A general idea of what you own and owe (house, cars, credit cards, retirement accounts)
- Notes or calendars related to parenting schedules, if custody is an issue
If domestic violence is an issue, bring any police reports, medical records, or restraining orders you may have.
More than 199,864 family law-related cases were filed in New Jersey in a recent year, based on state court statistics. Many of them involved children and complex financial issues. Having the right documents in hand helps your Marlton, NJ, family law attorney give you real answers and not just hypotheticals.
What You’ll Discuss at Your Initial Consultation
You can expect a real conversation about your life, specifically what you’re going through and why you scheduled a consultation with a lawyer. If you’re considering divorce, you’ll discuss things like the length of your marriage, your income and assets, whether you’ve been living apart, and whether there’s tension around child custody, housing, or money. You are already in the middle of a court case, your attorney will want to see what’s been filed and talk through any deadlines or hearings coming up.
If your case involves custody, you’ll discuss your current parenting routine, including who takes the kids to school, who handles bedtime, and what communication with the other parent looks like. Every detail will help your lawyer better understand your circumstances. It’s perfectly understandable to feel nervous about being judged or feel like you’ve already made mistakes.
However, you shouldn’t worry about saying the right or wrong things. Just be honest. It’s your Marlton, NJ, family law lawyer’s job to help you figure out the next step, no matter where you’re starting from.
You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out Before Your First Appointment
You don’t need to know what kind of custody you want. You don’t need a perfect budget or a spreadsheet of your assets. You just need to be ready to talk. If you’ve reached the point where something feels unmanageable or unclear, that’s reason enough to have a conversation with a Marlton, NJ, family law attorney.
Even if you’re not ready to file anything, that first meeting can give you clarity and peace of mind. Keep in mind that there are a lot of legal problems that can snowball because people wait too long to get advice. One wrong move, such as moving out of your family home or signing a support agreement you don’t fully understand, can set you back months.
Discuss Your Case With Our Compassionate Marlton, NJ, Family Law Attorney Now
If you’re facing divorce, custody, or any family law issue, talk to our Marlton, NJ, family lawyers at Weinberg, Kaplan, & Smith P.A. Start taking control of your situation by arranging your consultation online or by calling 856-795-9400.