Whether you're preparing for a divorce, creating an estate plan, or handling child custody matters, being well-prepared for your consultation saves time, reduces costs, and ensures you get the documents you need. Here's your complete guide to preparing for your first legal document consultation.
Before Your Consultation
Clarify Your Goals
Before your consultation, take time to clearly define what you want to accomplish:
- What type of legal documents do you need?
- What are your priorities and concerns?
- What questions do you want answered?
- What's your timeline and budget?
General Documents to Bring (All Consultations)
Identification
- • Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- • Social Security card or number
- • Birth certificate (if needed)
Contact Information
- • Your current address and phone
- • Email address
- • Emergency contact information
For Divorce Consultations
Personal Information
- • Marriage certificate
- • Spouse's full name, address, and contact information
- • Date and location of marriage
- • Date of separation (if applicable)
- • Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if exists)
- • Previous divorce decrees or legal separations
Children's Information
- • Birth certificates for all children
- • Children's full names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers
- • Current custody arrangements (formal or informal)
- • School and childcare information
- • Health insurance information for children
- • Special needs or medical conditions
Financial Information
- • Recent pay stubs (last 2-3 months)
- • Last 2 years of tax returns (yours and spouse's)
- • Bank statements (checking, savings) for last 3 months
- • Credit card statements
- • Investment account statements (401k, IRA, stocks, bonds)
- • Business ownership documents
- • List of all debts (mortgages, loans, credit cards)
- • Monthly income and expense information
Property and Assets
- • Property deeds and mortgage statements
- • Vehicle titles and registration
- • Recent property appraisals
- • List of valuable personal property (jewelry, art, collections)
- • Life insurance policies
- • Retirement account statements
For Estate Planning Consultations
Family Information
- • Full names, addresses, and dates of birth for all family members
- • Information about children, grandchildren, and dependents
- • Names and contact info for potential executors/trustees
- • Names and contact info for guardians (if minor children)
- • Names and contact info for healthcare agents
Asset Information
- • List of all real estate owned (with addresses and values)
- • Property deeds
- • Bank account information (account numbers, institutions)
- • Investment account statements
- • Retirement account information
- • Life insurance policies (with beneficiaries)
- • Business ownership documents
- • Vehicle titles
- • Valuable personal property list
Existing Estate Planning Documents
- • Current will (if exists)
- • Existing trust documents
- • Powers of attorney
- • Advance healthcare directive
- • Any other estate planning documents
Healthcare Preferences
- • Current medical conditions or concerns
- • Preferred doctors and healthcare facilities
- • End-of-life care preferences
- • Organ donation wishes
- • Religious or cultural considerations
For Child Custody Consultations
Documents to Bring:
- Children's birth certificates
- Existing custody orders or agreements
- School records and report cards
- Medical records (if relevant to custody)
- Current parenting schedule (written or notes)
- Information about each parent's living situation
- Work schedules for both parents
- Any evidence of domestic violence, abuse, or substance use (if applicable)
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
About the Process
- • What documents will I need?
- • How long does the process take?
- • What are the steps involved?
- • Do I need to appear in court?
- • What happens after documents are filed?
About Costs
- • What are your fees?
- • What are the court filing fees?
- • Are there any additional costs?
- • Do you offer payment plans?
About Your Specific Situation
- • What options do I have?
- • What are the pros/cons of each option?
- • What do you recommend for my situation?
- • What challenges might I face?
About Next Steps
- • What should I do first?
- • When can we start?
- • How will we communicate?
- • What do I need to do next?
Tips for a Successful Consultation
Do
- ✓ Arrive on time (or log in early for virtual meetings)
- ✓ Bring all requested documents organized in folders
- ✓ Write down your questions beforehand
- ✓ Take notes during the consultation
- ✓ Be honest and thorough with information
- ✓ Ask for clarification if you don't understand
Don't
- ✗ Come unprepared without documents
- ✗ Hide information or assets
- ✗ Get emotional or confrontational
- ✗ Bring children to the consultation
- ✗ Rush through important details
- ✗ Forget to ask about costs and timeline
After Your Consultation
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1
Review your notes
Go over what was discussed and make sure you understand the next steps.
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2
Gather any missing documents
If you didn't have everything at the consultation, collect the remaining items.
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3
Follow up on action items
Complete any tasks that were assigned to you promptly.
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4
Stay in communication
Respond promptly to requests for information or clarification.
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5
Keep copies of everything
Maintain organized files of all documents and correspondence.
Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?
By The People® offers professional legal document preparation services at affordable prices. We serve San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties with divorce, estate planning, child custody, and more.