What to Bring to Your First Meeting With a Family Law Attorney in Texas

Walking into a law office for the first time is rarely something people look forward to. In fact, most of the clients I meet here at Lundberg Law tell me they were incredibly nervous before walking through our doors in Midlothian. That is completely normal. Whether you are facing a divorce, a custody battle, or an adoption, the stakes are high because family is involved.

However, the initial consultation is the most critical step in setting the trajectory of your case. It is where we strategize, assess risks, and define your goals. To get the most out of this time—and to save yourself money in legal fees—preparation is key.

When you come prepared, we can spend less time hunting for facts and more time building a strategy to protect your future. Here is a guide on exactly what you should bring to your first meeting with us.

The Legal Documents (If They Exist)

If legal action has already started, I need to see exactly where we stand.

• Service Papers: If you have been served with a petition for divorce or a suit affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR), bring the physical documents with you. The clock starts ticking on your answer deadline the moment you are served.
• Prior Orders: If you have been to court before regarding these children or this marriage, bring the current decrees or orders. We cannot modify an order if we don’t know exactly what it says.
• Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements: If you signed a marital property agreement, this heavily influences how to proceed under Texas law.

Financial Documentation

Texas is a community property state. This means that, generally, all property and debt acquired during the marriage belong to both spouses. To give you an accurate idea of what a fair division looks like, I need a snapshot of your financial life.

You don’t need a forensic accounting report for the first meeting, but please bring:

• Income Verification: Your three most recent pay stubs and your spouse’s, if you have access to them.
• Tax Returns: The last two years of federal tax returns.
• Bank Statements: Recent statements for all checking, savings, and investment accounts.
• Real Estate Documents: Deeds or recent mortgage statements for your home or other properties.

This information is also vital for calculating potential child support or spousal maintenance. You can read more about how Texas calculates support through the Office of the Attorney General.

A Timeline of Events

Memory can be a tricky thing when you are under stress. Before you come in, sit down and write a chronological timeline of significant events.

• Dates: Date of marriage, date of separation, and dates of birth for all children.
• Incidents: If you are alleging fault (like adultery or cruelty) or filing for specific custody rights due to safety concerns, write down specific dates and descriptions of incidents.

Having this written down prevents you from having to relive trauma by reciting it from memory, and it ensures I get the accurate facts needed to assess the strength of your case.

Evidence of Conflict (Use Caution)

We live in a digital age, and evidence often comes in the form of screenshots. If you have text messages, emails, or social media posts that are relevant to your case (such as evidence of harassment, alienation, or hiding assets), please organize them.

• Do not dump a shoebox of unorganized papers or hand me a phone with 5,000 unread messages.
• Do print out the most relevant exchanges or create a digital folder of the “Top 10” most concerning interactions.

Your Questions and Goals

This sounds simple, but it is often overlooked. What does a “win” look like to you?

• Are you trying to keep the house?
• Is your primary goal being the primary conservator of your children?
• Are you just looking to get the process over with as quickly and amicably as possible?

Write down your top five questions before you arrive. It is easy to get side-tracked during the conversation, and I want to ensure you leave my office with peace of mind and clarity. Texas Law Help is a great resource to review beforehand; it might help spark questions you hadn’t thought to ask yet.

What Not to Bring

Please do not bring your children to the consultation. I know childcare can be difficult to arrange, but discussing adult topics like infidelity, financial distress, or custody battles in front of children can be damaging to them. Furthermore, it makes it very difficult for you to speak freely and openly with me.

We Are Here to Listen

At Lundberg Law, we pride ourselves on being approachable. If you don’t have all these documents ready, don’t let that stop you from scheduling a meeting. We can always gather documents later. The most important thing to bring is yourself and your honesty. We are on your team.

If you are facing a family law issue in Midlothian or Ellis County, you don’t have to face it alone. Click here to schedule a free consultation or call 972-775-3500 now to speak with our team.