Preparing to meet with a lawyer can be a daunting experience. However, it’s important to remember that solicitors are here to help. Whether you are preparing to file for divorce or you require legal advice regarding child custody, your chosen family lawyer will commit to securing the best possible outcome for you.
During your initial meeting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss any concerns you may want to raise, so it’s very important to be prepared. With this in mind, we’ve put together a few steps to consider when preparing for your first meeting with a family lawyer.
Give your chosen solicitors a call before you attend
The most effective way to prepare for your initial meeting is to discuss it with your solicitor in advance. Calling or emailing your solicitor beforehand gives you the opportunity to confirm the date and time of your meeting, in addition to requesting any other information you may need. For example, you may want to double-check whether the solicitors’ firm has on-site parking. Having these details to hand before you attend the meeting can help to alleviate any fears you may have.
Find out exactly what you need to bring
During the initial meeting with your family lawyer, you may need to present documents or share important details. For example, if you are meeting to begin divorce proceedings, you will need your marriage certificate. The documents you need to bring will depend on your specific circumstances and your solicitor, so contact them before you arrive to ensure you have everything required for a successful meeting.
Give yourself plenty of time to get there
Making sure you know exactly where your solicitor is based and how you plan to travel to the meeting can help you stay calm and collected. Running late is likely to cause you more stress and you may arrive at the meeting feeling flustered. Avoid this by giving yourself plenty of time to arrive and to use the bathroom or get a glass of water before the meeting begins.
Write down a list of questions you would like to ask
Meeting your family lawyer is an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification on anything you are unsure about. Take advantage of this by making sure you have a list of important questions that you’d like to ask. If you are nervous, you may forget to ask some truly important questions – so keep them on a notepad as a helpful prompt.
Don’t forget to also take a pen with you. This way, you can note down important details or points you would like to remember. Again, if you’re nervous, you may forget exactly what was said during the meeting. Having some notes to look over when your mind is clearer could be extremely helpful.
Ask for support if you need it
You may be meeting with a solicitor to discuss emotionally sensitive issues that could be upsetting or stressful for you. If you need support, consider speaking to a friend or family member that you trust. They may be able to give you a lift to your first meeting, discuss how you’re feeling afterwards or offer support in another helpful way.
At Richards & Lewis, we recognise just how important our role as family lawyers is. We are proud to be professional and compassionate solicitors who can provide support and up-to-date advice across a whole range of legal matters. To discuss your requirements in confidence with one of our qualified and experienced solicitors, contact us today.