Bring what you have rather than waiting until a set is complete, and don't withhold anything unhelpful — a lawyer needs the weaknesses more than the strengths.
Two things to prepare for every matter: a dated timeline of what happened in plain order, and a one-line statement of the outcome you want. Both sharpen a first meeting more than any single document.
Checklists
Every matter
- A dated timeline of events, in order, in plain language
- Photo ID
- All correspondence — letters, emails, texts, chat logs (complete threads, not screenshots of fragments)
- Any contract, agreement or policy that applies
- Names of everyone involved and their role
- Any deadline, notice or court document you have received
- A short note on the outcome you want
Family & separation
- Marriage or civil union certificate; cohabitation dates if unmarried
- Any separation agreement, prenup or postnup
- Recent tax returns and notices of assessment for both parties if available
- Pay stubs and proof of income
- Bank, investment and pension statements
- Property documents — deeds, mortgage statements, valuations
- List of debts in each name and jointly
- Children's details, school and any existing parenting schedule
- Any existing court orders
Employment & dismissal
- Employment contract and any amendments
- Offer letter and any bonus, commission or equity plan documents
- Job description and organisation chart if available
- Performance reviews and any warnings or discipline
- Termination letter and any severance offer or release (do not sign first)
- Pay stubs, T4s or W-2s, and records of hours
- Relevant policies — handbook, harassment, accommodation
- Correspondence about the events leading to termination
Personal injury
- Accident or incident report and any police report number
- Photographs of the scene, vehicles or hazard, and of injuries
- All medical records, imaging and specialist reports
- Prescription and treatment receipts, plus travel costs
- Proof of income and evidence of time off work
- Insurance policies and all correspondence with insurers or adjusters
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- The product or item involved, if applicable — do not discard it
Real estate & property
- Agreement of purchase and sale, and all amendments and waivers
- Listing, advertising and any seller disclosure statement
- Home inspection report and the inspector's contract
- Title documents, survey and any registered easements
- Mortgage commitment and statements
- Photographs and professional reports on any defect
- Repair estimates and invoices
- Correspondence with agents, the other side and lenders
Business & commercial
- Corporate records — articles, minute book, share register
- Shareholder, partnership or joint venture agreement
- The contract in dispute and all related correspondence
- Financial statements and relevant management accounts
- Invoices, purchase orders and proof of delivery or performance
- Any security agreements, guarantees or leases
- Insurance policies that might respond
Estate & incapacity
- The will, and any earlier wills or codicils
- Death certificate, if applicable
- List of assets and debts with approximate values
- Beneficiary designations for registered accounts and insurance
- Powers of attorney or mandates, and any health-care directive
- Property deeds and account statements
- Contact details for named executors and beneficiaries
- Any medical evidence relevant to capacity
Immigration
- Passport and all previous passports
- Every immigration document — permits, visas, records of landing, refusals
- Any refusal letter and, if you have them, the officer's notes
- Application copies you have already submitted
- Proof of status, education credentials and language test results
- Employment records and any job offer or LMIA
- Relationship evidence for sponsorship matters
- Police certificates and any criminal record documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I don't have everything?
- Bring what you have. Waiting until a set is complete usually costs more than the gap does, and a lawyer can tell you exactly what else matters.
- Should I bring documents that hurt my case?
- Yes, and it's important. A lawyer needs the weaknesses to advise you properly, and finding out later is far more damaging and expensive.
- Originals or copies?
- Copies for the meeting, but keep originals safe and available — some matters require them. Never give away your only copy of anything.
- How should I organise it?
- Chronologically, with a dated timeline on top. That single page saves more time than any other preparation.
- Is my information confidential in a first consultation?
- Communications with a lawyer for the purpose of legal advice are generally privileged, including in an initial consultation. Ask the lawyer to confirm at the outset.
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