Bring the records you already have, a short timeline and your most important questions. Missing documents should not stop you from seeking timely advice, especially if you have received court papers or face an urgent concern.
Start with what needs attention now
Tell the office promptly about court papers, a scheduled appearance, an approaching parenting exchange or a safety concern. Record any date that may matter, note its source and flag anything that needs confirmation. A date on a letter, a date you remember and a court deadline may have different significance.
Write one sentence about the immediate problem and three questions you want answered. You do not need to prepare a polished presentation or solve the legal issues before the consultation.
Bring the documents that explain your situation
Bring these if available. Ask the office which records it wants in advance and how to deliver them securely. Keep originals and complete copies; the list is a starting point, not a filing requirement.
- Existing orders
Complete copies, including later orders that changed them.
- Signed agreements
The signed version and any written amendments.
- Court documents you received
The whole package, together with when and how you received it.
- A short chronology
Important events, dates and uncertainties; one or two pages is a useful starting point.
- Relevant communications
Full email or message exchanges, with dates and attachments, rather than isolated screenshots.
- Initial financial records
Available tax records, recent earnings information and records of accounts, property, debts or business interests relevant to the issues.
Further detail: Law Society of Alberta: Working With a Lawyer
A short timeline helps us understand your story
Use three columns: date, event and supporting record. Keep facts separate from your interpretation. “We discussed a different pickup time” is different from “We agreed to change pickup.” If you cannot remember the date, mark it as approximate.
Fictional example: “Around 10 October: a different school pickup was proposed by email; no reply confirming agreement located.” This preserves both the event and the uncertainty without treating a proposal as an agreement.
What if I do not have everything?
Make a short list of missing records, where they might be held and any request you have already made. Bring that list to the meeting. Do not delay seeking advice while you try to make the file perfect.
Before you leave, write down the next steps, who will take each step and any relevant dates, including those still needing confirmation. Clarify the work the lawyer is agreeing to do, the fees and how you will communicate. If you are unsure what a recommendation means, ask for an explanation.
Questions you might have
Should I send my whole inbox?
Ask the office how to provide communications. Start with an index and the complete conversations that appear relevant; a large set of unexplained screenshots can be difficult to place in context.
What should I write down after the meeting?
The advice you understood, decisions still open, documents to obtain and the agreed next steps. If your understanding is uncertain, ask the lawyer to clarify it.
Take something useful with you
First-meeting preparation sheet
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This page stores no checklist answers. A reload clears your selections. The download is a blank preparation aid, not a court form.
Sources & further help
General information only. The applicable rules, court directions and circumstances of your matter determine the next step.