Preparation PackFamily LawMedium

Divorce Lawyer Preparation Checklist

Prepare a divorce-law consultation by organising family documents, financial records, child arrangements, settlement questions, property, pension, debt, and court timing.

Time to prepare2-5 hours

Before you start

0/2 completed

Define the divorce routeWrite whether the divorce may be agreed, opposed, mediated, urgent, child-focused, maintenance-heavy, or property-heavy.Not startedList the disputed issuesRecord children, maintenance, home, pension, debts, business interests, costs, and settlement proposals.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 plan, and settlement drafts.Not startedCollect financial recordsPrepare payslips, bank statements, expenses, assets, debts, property records, pensions, policies, and maintenance proof.Not started

During the consultation

0/2 completed

Ask about process and timingConfirm likely route, court steps, settlement options, documents needed, and fee structure.Not startedAsk about immediate risksDiscuss maintenance, housing, parenting, asset movement, pension, and urgent applications if relevant.Not started

Afterwards

0/2 completed

Update settlement notesRevise proposals for children, money, property, pension, debts, and costs.Not startedCalendar next stepsTrack court, mediation, document, disclosure, and follow-up dates.Not started

When It Applies

You need to brief a divorce lawyer clearly.

You are preparing for divorce, settlement, parenting, maintenance, pension, property, or debt questions.

Not For

Domestic violence, abduction, or urgent safety issues without immediate help.

Documents

ID documents
Marriage certificate
Antenuptial contract
Birth certificates
Existing orders
Parenting plan
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 positions.
Ongoing: calendar court and document dates.

Tips

Bring financial records even if settlement seems likely.
Separate child arrangements from property issues.
Ask what can be settled before litigation escalates.
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.
A spouse is hiding information.
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

Divorce Lawyer Preparation Checklist

Prepare a divorce-law consultation by organising family documents, financial records, child arrangements, settlement questions, property, pension, debt, and court timing.

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 to brief a divorce lawyer clearly.

You are preparing for divorce, settlement, parenting, maintenance, pension, property, or debt questions.

Not For

Domestic violence, abduction, or urgent safety issues without immediate help.

Documents

ID documents
Marriage certificate
Antenuptial contract
Birth certificates
Existing orders
Parenting plan
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 positions.
Ongoing: calendar court and document dates.

Tips

Bring financial records even if settlement seems likely.
Separate child arrangements from property issues.
Ask what can be settled before litigation escalates.
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.
A spouse is hiding information.
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