There are different stages where you may be thinking about seeing a family lawyer. You may be thinking about entering into an agreement with your partner setting out what will happen to your assets and liabilities if you were to separate. On the other hand, you may be at the conclusion of your relationship and wondering what to do next.
Whether you have done some research about family law firms and chosen one, or whether a family or friend has recommended a particular firm, the next step will likely be to book in an initial appointment or consultation.
To make the most out of your first appointment with a family lawyer, there are a number of things you can do or start to think about:
1. Consider your assets, liabilities and superannuation
When you see a family lawyer, it is useful to understand the composition of the property pool. This means knowing what assets you or your spouse own, and any debts or liabilities that may be owing. If you have time, it is worth preparing a list or balance sheet setting out your estimated values of assets and liabilities and checking your current superannuation balance.
2. Think about the outcomes you want to achieve
You may have booked an initial appointment with a family lawyer seeking to understand your rights and what you might be entitled to arising from your separation. It is useful if you give some consideration to what assets and liabilities exist, and which of those are important for you to keep in any separation. Your family lawyer will likely be able to provide some guidance about what a realistic outcome might look like, including the mix of assets and liabilities you are seeking to keep.
3. Prepare a summary or background of your relationship
Once again, if you have time, it is helpful for you to prepare a short summary or background/ chronology of your relationship for your family lawyer. This includes when you first met, started living together and when you separated. It is also useful to include relevant details such as:
What you each owned at the start of the relationship;
How the various assets and liabilities were accumulated throughout the relationship;
How you divided any household responsibilities;
Whether you received any gifts, inheritances or insurance payouts during the relationship;
If you own property – whether you ever did any renovations;
Your current employment status and your income; and
If you have children – how you divided the parenting responsibilities and how you see the future arrangements for your children.
If you do not have time to prepare a summary of your relationship or a list of your assets, liabilities and superannuation, do not worry. At an initial appointment, your family lawyer will be able to provide you with important information to guide you through the next steps. If you are ready to book an initial appointment with a specialist family lawyer, contact us on (02) 6225 7040, by email at info@rmfamilylaw.com.au or get started now online with one of our experienced lawyers to obtain advice. The earlier the appointment the better, so you can make informed decisions about your options.
Author: Anika Buckley