1) Pull the Current Order and Key Pleadings
Have the current parenting plan, custody order, support order, or recent motion materials available so the scope can be tied to the actual case posture instead of memory.
Last updated: March 6, 2026
How to Prepare for a Family-Law PI Consultation
A consultation goes faster and gets scoped more accurately when the file starts with the actual issue, the current order, and the timeline that matters most. You do not need a perfect file before talking to us, but the intake is stronger when the basics are already organized.
What To Gather Before the Call
These numbered steps also help create a cleaner intake file for attorney-directed matters and urgent hearing timelines.
2) Build a Short Chronology
A one-page timeline of the main incidents, missed exchanges, income changes, residence moves, or safety concerns is usually more useful than a long narrative.
3) Gather Existing Records and Communications
Bring the messages, screenshots, provider records, photos, and notes you already have, but keep them tied to dates and issues instead of dropping them into one mixed folder.
4) Write Down the Missing Facts
The most useful intake question is often not what happened in the past but what still needs to be proved: location, caregiving routine, work activity, hidden income, or compliance with the order.
What Makes Intake More Useful
Legal Objective First
The file is easier to scope when the objective is clear: emergency hearing prep, support modification, locate work, parenting-plan enforcement, or fact development for counsel.
Known Unknowns
A realistic scope starts with what is still uncertain. That is often where outside investigation adds value.
Boundaries and Timing
If there is a hearing date, provider involvement, or a legal boundary concern, flag it early. Scope, urgency, and reporting format usually change when deadlines are near.
Consultation Prep FAQ
Do I need an attorney before booking a consultation?
No. Many consultations begin before counsel is retained. If an attorney is already involved, the scope can usually be aligned more tightly to the legal objective.
What if my file is messy?
That is common. Start with the order, the rough chronology, and the main unanswered questions. We can help identify what matters most first.
Should I send every screenshot before the call?
Not necessarily. It is usually better to organize the key items by issue and date first rather than front-loading a large unsorted file.
What if the matter is urgent?
Flag the deadline or urgent event immediately. Intake and scope need to account for hearing timing, service issues, or immediate child-location concerns from the start.
Need help getting the file organized before intake?
If the issue is clear but the facts are scattered, start the consultation and we will scope what matters first before paid field work begins.