What to Bring to Your First Consultation: A Checklist

You've decided to call a family lawyer. You're ready to move forward. And now you're wondering: What do I actually need to bring?

The anxiety is understandable. You don't want to feel unprepared. But here's the truth: preparation is helpful, but it doesn't need to be perfect. This checklist will help you gather what matters most—so you can use your consultation time well and get clearer guidance about your situation.

Why Preparation Matters

Coming to your first consultation with some information gathered saves time and reduces stress. It gives your lawyer a clearer picture of your situation, which means better advice tailored to what actually matters to you.

You also get more value from the consultation itself. Instead of spending time on basic information gathering, you can focus on understanding your options, asking questions, and talking through your concerns. It's the difference between a surface-level conversation and one that really addresses your needs.

Most importantly, preparation is an act of self-care. Knowing you've gathered what you need means you can walk into that consultation feeling organized and in control.

What to Bring: A Practical Checklist

Here's what's helpful to have ready, organized by category:

Basic Personal Information

• Your ID and contact information

• Your partner's contact information (if applicable)

Marriage or Cohabitation Details

• Date of marriage or cohabitation start

• Separation date (if you've separated)

• Location of marriage or cohabitation

Children's Information

• Names and ages

• Schools they attend

• Any special needs or health considerations

• Current parenting schedule (if you've separated)

Asset Information

A general sense of what you have and where:

• Approximate amounts in bank accounts (savings, chequing)

• Investment accounts you hold (RRSP, TFSA, brokerage)

• Real estate you own and any mortgages

• Vehicles and other significant assets you want to protect

You don't need exact statements yet—just a general picture.

Debt Information

A general sense of what you owe:

• Approximate mortgage balance

• Credit card balances (rough figures are fine)

• Student loans or personal loans

• Any other outstanding debts

We'll gather exact statements after you've retained us.

Business Information (if you're a business owner)

A general sense of your business:

• What type of business you own and your role

• Approximate business value (if you know it)

• Whether there are other owners or shareholders

• Any concerns about protecting the business in a separation or new relationship

Detailed corporate documents and financial statements can come later, once we're working together.

Existing Agreements

• Cohabitation agreements or marriage contracts

• Prior separation agreements

• Any court orders

Relevant Correspondence

• Emails or texts about separation, parenting, or finances

• Any written communication from your partner's lawyer (if applicable)

Your Questions and Goals

• What matters most to you (children, business, financial independence, future)

• Specific concerns or questions you want to address

• What you hope to achieve

• Any concerns about protection (business, assets, children's inheritance)

How to Organize It

Simple is better than perfect. Since our consultations are phone-based and last about an hour, digital organization works best.

Create a folder structure on your computer, cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox), or email—whatever feels most accessible to you. Use clear labels for each category: "Personal Info," "Income," "Assets," "Debts," "Children," "Business," "Agreements," and "Correspondence."

The goal isn't perfection. It's just organizing that lets you find things quickly during our call. When you can pull up a document or piece of information in seconds, we spend our hour focused on understanding your situation and explaining your options—not hunting for files.

Keep everything in one place. If your documents are scattered across email, your computer desktop, and old folders, take 10 minutes before your consultation to gather links or files into one accessible location. That small investment of time will make your consultation more productive.

You Don't Need Everything Perfect

Here's the most important reassurance I can give you: you do not need to have everything ready before you call.

If all you have is a few notes and questions, that's enough to start. We'll tell you what else to gather as we go. Many people come to their first consultation with partial information, and that's completely fine. The conversation itself often clarifies what's needed next.

Calling our office is not a test. It's the beginning of a process. You're not expected to walk in with a complete financial audit and a perfectly organized file. You're expected to walk in ready to talk about your situation and what matters to you.

How We Use This Information

When you bring this information to your consultation, it helps us understand your full situation. We can see the whole picture—your income, your assets, your family structure, your business, your concerns—and give you advice that's tailored to your specific circumstances.

It also means we can explain your options more clearly. Instead of speaking in generalities, we can talk about what protection or support might look like in your case. You get more specific guidance, less guesswork.

Most importantly, this information helps us listen better. We're not scrambling to gather basic facts. We're focused on understanding what matters to you and what you need.

Your Next Step

Ready to prepare for your first consultation? Start gathering what you can from the checklist above. You don't need everything—just what's accessible. If you’re considering calling a family lawyer, or you’ve already decided you need support, speak to a member of our team. 

We’ll walk you through what to expect and help you move forward with confidence to start the conversation, call us at 647 494 8844. A member of our team will respond to discuss your situation and next steps.

This content is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading or responding to this content does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Please contact Abi Adeusi Family Law for advice about your specific situation.