Planning your first appointment with a family solicitor

We know that coming into the office or speaking to a solicitor for the first time can be daunting, but we want to make sure that you have the best possible experience with us.

Top tips for your first family law meeting

Below is a list of things that you may want to consider in advance of your first appointment with a family law solicitor.

1. If you are attending your appointment in person, familiarise yourself with where the office is located and how to get to us. We will send you a map along with the letter confirming your appointment. You will be greeted by our friendly reception team when you arrive. If your appointment is taking place remotely, ensure that you are going to be somewhere private and quiet with good internet access.
2. Remember that no question is a silly question! The law is complex, and we will always strive to explain things in a way which can be easily understood. It can be helpful to have a list of questions you want to ask so we can get the most out of our appointment time.
3. Think about what you want out of the appointment, do you need advice as a matter of urgency, do you want to do some future planning, or do you want to learn more about your options? We can help with a whole host of issues and no matter how big or small your problem seems – you can expect the best quality service from our dedicated team.
4. Be prepared to be open and honest with us. Some of the questions we ask you may feel personal, but remember we are on your side, and it is our job to help you get the best possible outcome.
5. Remember that we owe a duty of confidentiality to you; we will not share what you tell us, unless we need to in order to keep you or other people safe.
6. Try to have an idea of key dates so that we can put together a timeline of important events. You may find it helpful to bring along letters or screenshots to help us to paint a full picture of the events leading up to you choosing to contact us.
7. Try to come and see us sooner rather than later. We understand that it can be tempting to try and ignore issues and hope that they go away, but we would advise getting ahead of the problem to give us the best chance of achieving a positive outcome.
8. Your solicitor may not always be available, due to court hearings or other meetings, but you will be in safe hands within the department. Solicitors are supported by paralegals and assistants who will be familiar with your case and can be contacted if your solicitor is busy.
9. You may need to consider your financial circumstances to see how your case could be funded. We may consider property, shares etc. The more information you can provide, the better. Certain cases are still eligible for Legal Aid or Legal Help. As long as we have capacity within the team, we take on both privately paying and Legal Aid cases. Whatever your financial circumstances, please get in touch!

Contact our family law specialists

If you need advice about family law contact our family law team on 0191 232 9547