Most people walk into their first family law consultation unprepared. They spend the first 20 minutes explaining things they could have written down beforehand, which means less time getting actual answers.
A family lawyer in Sydney charges between $350 and $700 per hour plus GST. Initial consultations in Sydney CBD firms average $390 to $580. Every minute counts. The better prepared you are, the more useful that first appointment becomes.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
Having the basics ready means your lawyer can assess your situation accurately and give you specific advice.
Personal Identification
Bring current photo ID. A driver’s licence or passport works. Your lawyer needs to verify your identity and run a conflict check before the consultation begins.
Relationship Details
Write down the key dates before you go:
- When the relationship started, and when you moved in together
- Marriage date (if applicable)
- Date of separation
- Whether either party has filed any court applications
If you are unsure of exact dates, approximate ones are fine. The separation date matters most, particularly for de facto couples, because it starts the legal clock on time limits.
Existing Court Orders or Legal Documents
If there are any existing parenting orders, property orders, apprehended violence orders (AVOs), or consent orders in place, bring copies. Your lawyer needs to know what legal framework is already in place before advising you.
Also, bring any correspondence you have received from your former partner’s solicitor, if applicable.
Financial Documents
This applies if your matter involves property, finances, or superannuation. You do not need to have everything at the first meeting, but bring what you have:
- Recent bank statements (past three to six months)
- Most recent tax return or ATO notice of assessment
- Superannuation statements
- Mortgage statements or property valuations, if available
- A rough list of assets and liabilities in both names
Under sections 71B and 90RI of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), both parties have a legal duty to provide full and frank financial disclosure.
This obligation has existed in family law for decades, but from 10 June 2025, it was formally codified into the Act itself by the Family Law Amendment Act 2024, having previously sat in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021.
Your lawyer is required by law to explain this obligation to you at the outset.
Children’s Details (If Applicable)
If parenting arrangements are part of your matter, bring:
- Full names and dates of birth of all children
- Current living and schooling arrangements
- Any existing parenting plans or informal agreements
- Details of any child protection involvement, if relevant
A Written Summary of Your Situation
This is optional, but highly practical. Write one to two pages covering what happened, what you are most concerned about, and what outcome you are hoping for.
Getting Initial Advice Before You Are Ready to Start a Formal Matter
Some people contact a family law expert in Sydney before they are ready to start a formal matter. That is a perfectly sensible approach. A short paid advice session can help you understand whether your situation is urgent, what time limits apply to you, and whether you need to act now or have time to gather more information.
The worst outcome is waiting too long. In particular:
- Married couples have 12 months from the date the divorce order becomes final to apply for a property settlement.
- De facto couples have two years from the date of separation.
If you are close to either of those deadlines, get advice before your first consultation and make the appointment soon.
What Happens During the First Consultation
A good first consultation follows a clear structure. Here is what to expect from a family law appointment in Sydney.
Conflict Check and Confidentiality
Your lawyer will confirm they do not already act for your former partner. They will also explain legal professional privilege, which means that what you share with your lawyer is confidential and cannot be disclosed without your consent.
Information Gathering
The lawyer will ask about your relationship, children (if any), assets and debts, and what brought you in. Answer as honestly and specifically as you can. The more accurate the information, the more useful the advice.
Legal Issues Identified
A good lawyer will explain clearly what legal issues are in play. For example, if you separated six months ago from a de facto partner, they will flag that you have approximately 18 months remaining on your two-year time limit to commence property proceedings.
Options Outlined
You should leave the consultation with a clear picture of your options. These might include negotiation, mediation (Family Dispute Resolution), consent orders, a binding financial agreement, or court proceedings. Your lawyer should explain the likely cost and timeframe of each path.
Next Steps
The lawyer will tell you what to do next. This might mean gathering further documents, writing to the other party’s solicitor, or registering for mediation.
Your Duty of Financial Disclosure
Many first-time clients do not realise that financial disclosure is a legal obligation, not a choice.
From 10 June 2025, the duty of full and frank financial disclosure is codified directly in the Family Law Act 1975 under sections 71B (married couples) and 90RI (de facto couples). Under this obligation, both parties must disclose all relevant financial information to each other and to the court, and this duty continues until the matter is finalised.
Non-compliance carries real consequences. Under the Family Law Act, courts can adjust property orders, make adverse costs orders, compel further disclosure, impose sanctions for contravening orders, and stay or dismiss all or part of proceedings against a party who fails to disclose relevant information.
In the most serious cases, where a party falsifies financial evidence, a court may refer the matter to the Australian Federal Police, and criminal charges for contempt or perjury can follow.
Your lawyer is legally required to explain this obligation to you at the outset.