First Consultation Checklist

This checklist helps you arrive at a first consultation prepared, which saves billable time and gives the lawyer what is needed to give you a useful opinion. Work through each group, tick items as you gather them and print the page to bring along.

You do not need every document on day one. Many lawyers will give a general overview with only basic information, and ask for financial records later. But having tax returns, account statements and a list of debts lets the lawyer spot issues such as hidden assets, retirement accounts or business interests early.

The question group matters as much as the paperwork. Fee structures, retainer terms and billing increments differ between firms, and the answers help you compare options fairly. Write answers down so you can compare them afterward.

A worked example: if you gather documents in one afternoon and organize them in a folder with a one-page timeline, a lawyer may spend a few fewer hours sorting records. At an illustrative $300 an hour, three hours saved is $900. This checklist is general, so your state or case may require other documents.