What to Gather After You Hire a Family Law Attorney
After you hire a family law attorney, one of the first practical steps is gathering information that helps move your case forward. You don’t need to have everything immediately — and you don’t need to be perfectly organized. Think of this as a working list, not a test. We’ll guide you through the process and let you know what’s most important and when at Morfitt Family Law.
Below is an overview of what is typically helpful to gather after you hire a family law attorney.
1. Basic Personal Information
Your legal team will need accurate identifying information to prepare filings and communicate with the court.
This often includes:
Full legal names for you, your spouse or partner, and your children
Dates of birth
Contact information for both parties
Current address and employment information
2. Existing Court Documents
If your matter involves divorce, child support, or a parenting plan, gather any court paperwork you already have, such as:
Prior court orders
Protection orders
Temporary orders
Child support worksheets
Parenting plans
If you don’t have copies, don’t worry — in many cases, we can obtain them directly from the court.
3. Financial Information (If Applicable)
For divorce and child support matters, financial information is an important part of the process. You don’t need every document right away, but having a general financial picture helps us give accurate advice.
Helpful documents may include:
Last 6 months of pay stubs
The last two years of tax returns
Bank statements
Mortgage or lease information
A list of major assets and debts
We’ll let you know which documents are needed first and which can come later.
4. Parenting and Scheduling Information
If children are involved, gathering information about their routines and current arrangements is very helpful.
This may include:
School or daycare schedules
Notes about the current parenting schedule
Any concerns you want us to be aware of
Communication logs, if relevant
5. Relevant Communications
If there are important texts, emails, or messages related to your case — especially those involving parenting, finances, or agreements — save them and forward them to your legal team if instructed.
What You Don’t Need to Worry About
It’s common to feel pressure to have everything “just right.” Please know that you do not need:
A perfectly organized binder
Every financial statement ever created
To have all decisions made immediately
Family law matters evolve, and document gathering is often an ongoing process. We’ll help you prioritize what matters most at each stage.
We’ll Guide You Through Each Step
Hiring a family law attorney means you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Our team at Morfitt Family Law is here to help you stay organized, informed, and supported as your case moves forward.
If you have questions about what to gather or when to provide certain documents, just ask — that’s what we’re here for at Morfitt Family Law.
office@morfittfamilylaw.com | (253) 352-9700