Client intake checklist for family law matters
Family law intakes are high-stakes — clients are often in crisis and urgency can obscure conflicts or risk. This checklist walks through the standard opening steps for a new matter.
This is a 12-step intake checklist for family law matters. It covers identity verification, conflict checks, risk screening, urgency triage, scope and costs, so you open the file on a defensible footing.
The checklist
Verify client identity
Sight photo ID and record the source. Capture full legal name, date of birth, current address and contact details.
Run a conflict check
Search the firm database for the client, the other party, any children, extended family and prior instructing parties.
Screen for family violence
Ask about current or historical family violence, AVOs or protection orders. Safety-plan if the client is at risk.
Check for urgency
Recovery orders, relocation, imminent hearings or asset dissipation may require same-day action. Triage accordingly.
Confirm jurisdiction
Confirm the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction and check any parallel state proceedings.
Identify the children
Record names, ages, schools and current living arrangements. Flag any special needs or risk indicators.
Capture an asset snapshot
Take a high-level asset and liability picture — real property, super, businesses, debts. Full disclosure comes later.
Discuss pre-action procedures
Explain the pre-action procedures for parenting and property matters, including genuine steps obligations.
Take instructions on outcomes
Ask what the client actually wants — parenting arrangements, property split, spousal maintenance, or all three.
Provide scope and cost disclosure
Issue a costs agreement and disclosure notice covering scope, hourly rates and estimated total cost.
Explain next steps
Set out immediate actions, required documents, and the timeline for the first substantive advice.
Open the file properly
Create the matter in the practice management system, assign a responsible solicitor and save a detailed intake file note.
When this checklist applies
Use this checklist on every new family law intake — whether parenting, property or both. Urgency should never cause you to skip the conflict check or the risk screen.
Common pitfalls
- Missing a conflict involving the other party or extended family
- Failing to screen for current family violence at the first call
- Not triaging urgency — recovery and relocation matters need same-day action
- Inadequate costs disclosure at the outset
- Opening a file without a clear scope note
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio generates intake file notes, costs agreements and scope letters in current AU format. See /practice-areas/family-lawyers.
This checklist is a general guide. Adapt for matters involving family violence, international elements or complex asset structures.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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