The breakdown of a relationship is difficult to deal with. Following separation, you will undoubtedly wish to attend to your emotional needs; however, at some point, you will undoubtedly turn your mind to organising a meeting with a family lawyer to discuss the particulars of your matter.

Seeing a Lawyer for the first time can be daunting, and it may be difficult to prepare for the first meeting. However, once you have set down a time and a place for an appointment with your lawyer, it is important to take time to think about what you hope to achieve, both in your first appointment, and with your family law matter generally.

By taking the time to assess your situation, and by coming to your first meeting prepared, you will enable your lawyer to give you a complete and fully informed advice on your matter, which will assist you in the long run.

When preparing for your meeting, it is important to know what you can expect from your lawyer. A Lawyer can:

• Explain to you your rights and entitlements at Law. And advise you as to the process involved in parenting and property matters.
• Act as an intermediary between you and your former partner, to ensure that the parties can communicate smoothly and that all communication is conducive to a quick resolution of the matter.
• Help you develop a plan for dealing with the legal aspects of your matter. Should you have any legal issues, your lawyer can help you formulate effective solutions for resolving these matters in due course.
• Should you be in need of other professional services, your lawyer may be a great port of call for putting you with other experts in related fields, these may include; financial advisors, mortgage brokers and counselors.

By being aware of the role of a family lawyer, and by taking the time to consider your circumstances and your needs, you can not only maximize the value of your first meeting with your family lawyer, but you can also significantly reduce the costs of running your matter.