At Catton & Tondelstrand Family Lawyers we understand that navigating family law issues can be daunting. That’s why we offer a complimentary initial consultation with one of our experienced Family Lawyers to all prospective clients. This is a no-obligation consultation designed to provide you with clear, relevant legal advice tailored to your unique situation.

Preparation for Your Consultation

To get the most out of your consultation, we kindly request that you complete our electronic intake form prior to your appointment (this link will be sent to your nominated email address). This form gathers essential information, including the dates of birth of the parties and any children, the length of the relationship, and details about your separation or divorce, if applicable.

Providing this information in advance will enable us to address your concerns more efficiently during the meeting. This information is completely confidential, and you can be assured we will not share anything we have discussed with your ex-partner or any other party.

We offer flexible initial consultation options between the hours of 7.30am and 7pm:

• In our office: Meet with us face to face at our office in Maroochydore
• By telephone: Speak with us directly over the phone at a time convenient to you
• Teams Conference: Connect with us via virtual meeting if travel is not an option for you

We encourage you to come prepared with any specific questions or concerns you wish to discuss.

What to Expect During the Consultation

During your consultation, we will review the background and historical details of your relationship and family circumstances. Our Family Law specialists will identify whether your situation pertains to property and financial settlement, divorce, domestic violence or parenting arrangements. This will help us to provide you with informed preliminary advice. By the end of the consultation, you will receive a plan outlining the steps needed to finalise your matter as cost effectively and efficiently. We will also identify any additional information or documents required to provide you advice, should you choose to engage our firm to act on your behalf.

Legal Costs Agreement and Fee Estimates

If you choose to engage our services, we will prepare a Costs Agreement (CA) outlining the scope of work and our estimated fees. The CA will specify that a retainer will be required, which will be held in our trust account. A retainer is a sum of money held in a trust account in advance of us completing work, held until the work is completed and billed. The retainer amount varies depending on the matter and is determined based on the complexity and the specific work that is required to be undertaken.

If you have any questions in relation to the CA you can contact us to answer any questions you may have about its contents.

After you review our CA, it is at this time you can either engage us by paying the retainer fee and signing the CA or let us know that you do not require our services. Once we receive the signed CA and retainer, we can then commence work on your matter. One of our legal assistants will contact you to schedule a follow-up appointment with the solicitor who will be advising you going forward.

We’re here to help you navigate your family law challenges with confidence. If you’re ready to take the first step, contact us to schedule your complimentary initial consultation with one of our expert family lawyers.