Preparation PackFamily LawMedium

Lawyer Divorce Preparation Checklist

Prepare for a divorce consultation by organising family documents, child arrangements, financial disclosure, settlement positions, court questions, and fee records.

Time to prepare2-5 hours

Before you start

0/2 completed

Define what is disputedWrite whether the dispute concerns divorce route, children, maintenance, home, pension, assets, debts, costs, or settlement terms.Not startedList key datesRecord marriage, separation, children’s births, court papers, payment changes, settlement talks, and urgent deadlines.Not started

Need help with this checklist?

Get support from a lawyer who works with family law matters.

Book a Consultation

Before the consultation

0/2 completed

Collect family documentsPrepare IDs, marriage certificate, antenuptial contract, birth certificates, existing orders, parenting records, and settlement drafts.Not startedCollect financial documentsPrepare income proof, bank statements, expenses, debts, property records, policies, pension details, tax records, and payment proof.Not started

During the consultation

0/2 completed

Ask about the routeConfirm whether the matter is likely to be unopposed, opposed, mediated, urgent, maintenance-linked, or settlement-led.Not startedAsk about first steps and costsDiscuss documents needed, fee structure, mandate scope, timelines, interim relief, and what not to sign.Not started

Afterwards

0/2 completed

Update proposalsRevise child, maintenance, property, pension, debt, and settlement proposals after the consultation.Not startedSave the mandate recordKeep fee terms, scope, next dates, document requests, and advice notes together.Not started

When It Applies

You need a divorce-law consultation and want to brief the lawyer clearly.

The divorce involves children, maintenance, property, pensions, debts, settlement, or court papers.

Not For

Domestic violence, urgent child-safety, or abduction situations without immediate help.

Documents

ID documents
Marriage certificate
Antenuptial contract
Birth certificates
Existing orders
Parenting records
Settlement drafts
Payslips
Bank statements
Expense list
Asset and debt list
Pension details

Timeline

Before consultation: collect family and financial records.
During consultation: confirm route, costs, and urgent risks.
After consultation: update settlement proposals.
Ongoing: track court, mediation, and document dates.

Tips

Bring money records even if the divorce seems agreed.
Keep child-focused proposals practical.
Separate facts from settlement positions.
Read fee and mandate terms before appointing a lawyer.

Warning Signs

There is safety risk, child withholding, relocation risk, or urgent maintenance pressure.
Assets, pensions, trusts, businesses, or foreign property are involved.
Documents or money are controlled by one spouse.
You are pressured to sign unclear settlement terms.

Official sources

Department of Justice Family AdvocateCare/contact and child-related divorce context.
Department of Justice MaintenanceMaintenance-route context.
Legal Aid South Africa family mattersFamily-law legal-help context.

This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Speak to a Lawyer

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Preparation PackFamily LawMedium

Lawyer Divorce Preparation Checklist

Prepare for a divorce consultation by organising family documents, child arrangements, financial disclosure, settlement positions, court questions, and fee records.

Time to prepare2-5 hours

Before you start

0/2 completed

Need help with this checklist?

Get support from a lawyer who works with family law matters.

Book a Consultation

Before the consultation

0/2 completed

During the consultation

0/2 completed

Afterwards

0/2 completed

When It Applies

You need a divorce-law consultation and want to brief the lawyer clearly.

The divorce involves children, maintenance, property, pensions, debts, settlement, or court papers.

Not For

Domestic violence, urgent child-safety, or abduction situations without immediate help.

Documents

ID documents
Marriage certificate
Antenuptial contract
Birth certificates
Existing orders
Parenting records
Settlement drafts
Payslips
Bank statements
Expense list
Asset and debt list
Pension details

Timeline

Before consultation: collect family and financial records.
During consultation: confirm route, costs, and urgent risks.
After consultation: update settlement proposals.
Ongoing: track court, mediation, and document dates.

Tips

Bring money records even if the divorce seems agreed.
Keep child-focused proposals practical.
Separate facts from settlement positions.
Read fee and mandate terms before appointing a lawyer.

Warning Signs

There is safety risk, child withholding, relocation risk, or urgent maintenance pressure.
Assets, pensions, trusts, businesses, or foreign property are involved.
Documents or money are controlled by one spouse.
You are pressured to sign unclear settlement terms.

Official sources

Department of Justice Family AdvocateCare/contact and child-related divorce context.
Department of Justice MaintenanceMaintenance-route context.
Legal Aid South Africa family mattersFamily-law legal-help context.

This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Speak to a Lawyer