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What to bring along to your first family law appointment

Attending your first appointment with a family lawyer can sometimes feel a little nerve-wracking. The good news is that there are some very simple things you can do to prepare yourself. In this Romer Maud Family Lawyers blog, our Co-Founder and Principal Aimee Maud offers preparation tips and advice on what to bring along for your first family law appointment.

What to bring along to your first family law appointment?

At Romer Maud Family Lawyers, our first appointments with clients are ‘Clarity and Direction’ appointments. In these appointments, we listen to your story, provide you with advice and options to put your mind at ease, and help you to start your journey towards resolution.

It’s only natural that you might have a list of specific questions for us. If this is the case, we encourage you to please bring them along. If you’re not sure what you need to ask, rest assured we will lead the conversation and ask questions about your situation. This will help us make sure that you receive the most useful and appropriate advice for your matter.

Sounds good. Are there specific documents I should bring?

When it comes to what to bring for your first discussion with us, if you don’t have any documents to provide or only minimal information to offer, that’s okay! We can still assist and provide you with helpful guidance during your appointment.

If you are able to go back and find certain documentation relevant to your case (see our lists below), this can be very helpful for us as your family lawyers.

Collecting your documents sooner rather than later means that we can make progress on your case as quickly and efficiently as possible. Having them organised and ready can also give you peace of mind, enable you to understand your current situation, and then plan for the future.

Understanding Financial Disclosure

For financial cases, you will usually be required to undergo a process of full and frank financial disclosure. This process requires you and your ex-partner to exchange essential financial documents.

Financial disclosure means that you each have full transparency in relation to each other’s financial affairs. This enables your lawyers to ascertain the value of the assets and liabilities from your relationship, and advise on an appropriate settlement outcome. Keep in mind that gathering financial documents (if you can) is time-consuming, so starting early is best.

I can’t access my financial documents, what can I do?

We understand that it’s not always possible to get access to your financial documents, particularly if your ex-spouse has been in control of the finances, or you have experienced family violence. Rest assured, there are other legal avenues we can take to get proper access to the financial details of the relationship and ensure you get the transparency you’re entitled to.

When you’re going through a separation, having a personal (secure, and accessible only by you!) cloud-based or physical file containing important legal and financial documents can help you stay organised and ensure you’ve got any evidence ready, in the event you need it.

Here are lists of some of the documents and information that can be relevant for family law matters.

Documents and Information for Financial Cases:

Dates your relationship commenced, the date and place of marriage (if applicable), date you separated, date of divorce (if applicable).

A list of all assets and liabilities owned by you and your partner currently / at the time of separation.
A list of all assets and liabilities owned by you and your partner at the commencement of your relationship.
Details of any contributions you and/or your ex-partner made during the relationship, for example inheritances you might have received, Work Cover or TAC payouts, lottery wins, loans from parents etc.
Your payslips.
Superannuation Benefit Statement for you and your spouse;
Your last 3 tax returns (full and complete copies, not just the notice of assessment);
A Redbook valuation for any vehicles registered in your name;
Centrelink statements;
Share portfolios;
Market valuations or appraisals for real estate held in your name or your spouse’s name;
Bank statements;
Credit card statements;
Loan documentation;
Trust deeds, trust tax returns and financial statements;
Company tax returns and financial statements;
Any other details or documents relevant to your financial position.

Documents and Information for Parenting Cases:

Full names and dates of birth of any children from the relationship and any special needs they may have.
Details of the current care arrangements, eg: which parent cares for the child on which days and nights of the week, where and how do you do your changeovers, how do you generally communicate with the other parent / caregiver?
A brief chronology of the parenting arrangements during the relationship, eg: did either parent take time off work or reduce their work to care for children?
Copies of any previous orders, parenting plans or agreements in writing about parenting arrangements.
Copies of any current or previous family violence intervention orders.

How to provide these documents to your lawyer?

At Romer Maud, once you have engaged us as your lawyers we will let you know when to send through your documents. We have a secure online portal where you can upload and share documents, or we can use email. If you struggle with technology, we can of course receive the documents by post. As a technology-enabled and environmentally conscious firm, we operate in a primarily paperless environment, so electronic sharing of documents is preferred, and usually the quickest and most cost- effective option.

Starting The Process Of Separation? We're Here To Help

Starting the process of separation can require some important admin, but with the expert advice and compassionate support of Romer Maud, you will have the confidence to calmly and thoroughly work through your matters. To book a Clarity and Direction appointment with our team – click the button below.

*This post is an overview only and should not be considered as legal advice. If there are any matters that you would like us to advise you on, then please contact us.

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      Excellent rating  
 Based on 79 reviews 
    
  
 
 
      Disappointing experience, especially because when choosing a lawyer I read so many positive reviews for this company.
From the beginning, I felt unsupported and as though my matter was not genuinely being progressed. Despite paying for legal fees when necessary, I saw little to no meaningful progress and ultimately felt that my matter went nowhere.

The other party was repeatedly able to not respond, and I felt there were limited options or consequences available to move things forward, even in light of previous court arrangements.
I understand that solicitors cannot control the other party or guarantee an outcome. However, I expected clear communication, genuine support and reasonable efforts to progress my matter, particularly when ongoing concerns and behaviours were being raised. Instead, I was left feeling unheard, frustrated and out of pocket, with no meaningful change to the parenting arrangements and continuing difficulties around communication and parenting responsibilities.

I also questioned whether my age affected my experience, although I cannot say that this was the case. I simply hope that being a younger client did not influence the level of attention or support I received, as I was still a paying customer seeking legal assistance.

Alison and Seren both seemed lovely on a personal level, but unfortunately I was left feeling that my matter was not a priority. Overall, I unfortunately would not choose to use this firm again.
I will add though, Seren understood my circumstances and worked with me to ensure I could afford each step of the process, it’s just unfortunate nothing more could be achieved with the obvious act of neglect from the other party.
     
   Tameka Bickford 
 27 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    Would highly recommend using there services.
     
   Amanda Britton 
 1 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    Very Helpful with lots of information regarding our requirements. Also very professional in the manner they conducted the teams meeting.
     
   Jimmy Lewis 
 30 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    Best lawyers in Melbourne thank you Durra
     
   raf kiswani 
 1 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    Highly recommend Romer Maud for their legal expertise in family law and professionalism, but equally their care and support throughout the process - in particular Emina Hiddick who was an absolute rock and guiding light throughout, always patient, responsive and generous with her time, knowledge of the legal system and advice. I felt confident and fortunate to have Emina representing me and helping me navigate a challenging time.
     
   Sara Newman 
 25 May 2026
 
 
 
 
    I had such wonderful support through one of the most difficult times of my life from Emina at Romero Maud Family Lawyers. She handled my case with kindness and respect and was able to guide me whilst also allowing my to maintain my core goals and outcomes. Would highly highly recommend.
     
   Belinda Dixon 
 29 April 2026
 
 
 
 
    Seren from Romer Maud was absolutely amazing. She was professional, supportive, and genuinely cared about getting the best outcome for me and my daughter.

She made a stressful process much easier and kept everything clear and straightforward. I’m so grateful for her help and highly recommend her to anyone needing a family lawyer.

Thank you so much Seren and the team at Romer Maud, we couldn't of done it without you.
     
   Glenn 
 29 April 2026
 
 
 
 
    Communication was not effective I was confused about my situation and after taking their first appointment I didn’t felt like I have been heard or suggested what would be my next steps
     
   Sravya Raavi 
 29 April 2026
 
 
 
 
    In response to the comment from Romer Maud below - I use a pseudonym online, the reason for which should be plainly obvious especially to you given what you’ve been privy to of my situation. The fact that you cannot recall a 22 month long separation which you were part of says it all really. I have included more than enough specific details that the case should be obvious to you. I was not your client, my previous partner was. However we were both massively negatively impacted on every level by your ineptitude, highlighted here by the very fact you’ve no recollection even of the case, that only concluded in April of this year.

My original review post:
At every point where an agreement should have been reached, this firm failed to effectively guide their client toward resolution. As a result, the separation was unnecessarily prolonged.

This was not over a complex or high-value asset pool. It was modest, and the limitations were clear, if not from their client, then certainly from the accurate information repeatedly provided by my lawyer and barrister.

Their approach cost both their client and myself over $50,000 each in unnecessary legal fees.

They provided incorrect advice regarding financial separation and were unable to manage their client’s expectations. At mediation, my barrister (with 20+ years’ experience) had to explain, in front of one of this firm partners and their junior barrister, what a court would consider fair and reasonable.

Even after eight hours of negotiation that day (which they only attended because their client failed to appear), no agreement was reached.

Ultimately, their client accepted an offer I had made two years earlier, before lawyers were involved, based on my own accurate research. By that point, we had spent over $50,000 each and endured 22 months of entirely avoidable litigation.

Our combined legal fees equated to roughly one-fifth of the asset pool, with this firm’s fees representing more than one-third of their client’s share. The cost of reaching agreement was excessive.

For nearly two years, they allowed their client to believe they were entitled to far more than a court would award. We came close to a final trial, a costly and stressful outcome we narrowly avoided.

Their conduct prolonged financial limbo and, in my view, enabled ongoing financial abuse. The court was aware of this.

It is unclear whether this reflects inexperience, an inability to manage difficult clients, or prioritisation of fees over resolution. Regardless, the outcome was the same: delay, cost and psychological distress.

If this firm represents you or your ex, expect prolonged timelines, significant legal costs, and repeated inaccuracies in correspondence and financials. I routinely had to pay my lawyer to correct their errors.

They operated on a deferred payment model, taking fees from their client’s settlement. This likely reduced their client’s awareness of escalating costs. In contrast, I paid regularly, making the financial impact of litigation immediate.

Following mediation, progress improved slightly (though settlement still took another five months), likely once the financial reality became clear they would not be paid appropriately for a final trial out of their clients realistic share of the asset pool.

Communication was consistently delayed, court ordered deadlines were never respected and responses were often almost always incomplete or incorrect.

Even post-settlement, finalisation of court-ordered matters was delayed by SIX months. I had to re-engage my lawyer just to obtain responses and ultimately complete required work myself to ensure compliance after this firm sent confirmation that proved their client lodged a highly questionable tax return, attempting to avoid paying CGT entirely, which was outside what was legally required.

I strongly recommend avoiding this firm. If they are acting for your ex, be prepared for an unnecessarily prolonged and costly process.
     
   Lucky Leonard 
 28 April 2026
 
 
 
 
    Very professional and lovely to speak to, gave me confidence to move forward knowing they will support me all the way
     
   Kris Balfour 
 31 March 2026