Separation is stressful enough without adding lawyers to the mix! But if the time has come where you need to engage a lawyer, it’s important that you know what is involved so you can be prepared. At Respect Legal, we inform new clients that they don’t need to bring anything to their initial consultation. It is important for them to feel comfortable and not overwhelmed by the process in front of them.
Having said that, we like people to have a sense of what it’s like to talk with a lawyer about their relationship breakdown. For many, it will be their first time engaging a family lawyer. Moreover, the subject matter involves deeply personal information which can be triggering and painful. While your friends and family (who are emotionally invested in your story) have offered their opinion, your conversation with a lawyer will be vastly different. A good lawyer who genuinely cares will take the time to hear your story and address any questions you have. They will then move on to advise you on the legal implications of ending your relationship and work with you to form a separation plan that protects the interests of your family.
Here are some tips we have to help prepare you for your first meeting:
If you want to bring something, bring a support person
Everyone’s support person will look a little different. But we encourage you to choose someone who will be helpful during the meeting. Separation is a highly emotional topic and many of your friends and family will be heightened emotionally, so try to find someone who is a calming influence and who already knows a significant portion of the story.
Don’t worry about documents
You will be requested to produce the relevant documentation in due course. But the purpose of this meeting is for your lawyer to become familiar with your situation and outline an initial plan. Separation is a long process. It’s important that you use your initial consultation to get to know your lawyer and recognise if they will be the right fit for what you need.
Try not to pre-empt the advice
Many clients maintain that they want to do what is “fair and reasonable” so they can have the matter resolved quickly and avoid litigation. But the word “fair” in legal terms can often be quite complicated. Allow space for the lawyer to guide you so that yours and your children’s interests can remain protected. Family lawyers deal with cases similar to yours every day and have the most experience in regards to legal advice. Just because your sister told you about her friend’s cousin’s brother in law, the same advice may not be applicable to your situation.
Get in early!
“If I want to separate, when is the right time to get advise from a lawyer?”
This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the field. The answer is, the earlier, the better. Knowing and understanding your legal entitlements, learning about the process of separation and divorce, and finding the right lawyer are crucial steps during separation. This is undoubtedly one of the hardest things you will ever go through in your life. Empowering yourself with knowledge is the best way to start.
The team at Respect Legal are here to listen to your situation and discuss ways we can help get you through. Reach out to our office to book your initial consultation today.
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About Respect Legal
Respect Legal is here to disrupt traditional ways of practicing family law through our respectful approach to dispute resolution. We focus on outcomes that strengthen families, rather than tear them apart.
Our team of highly skilled lawyers are leaders in their field who provide expert advice and guidance through complex legal processes so you can achieve an outcome that works best for you and your family.
