Before you book

Ask what the first meeting costs, how long it lasts, and whether it can be by video.
Give your spouse's full name when booking so the firm can run a conflict check before you share anything.
Check lower-cost options: legal aid, court family law information centres, and lawyer referral services (in Ontario, the Law Society Referral Service offers a free consultation of up to 30 minutes; in the US, try your state or local bar association).
Choose a lawyer who practises family law in your province or state.

Bring

A one-page timeline: date you moved in together, marriage, separation, children's birth dates, and major events.
A one-page summary of assets, debts and incomes (the FairWell financial snapshot works).
Your last two or three tax returns, a recent pay stub, and your spouse's if you have them.
One recent statement for every bank, investment, pension and debt account, joint or individual (the financial disclosure checklist lists them all).
Any existing agreement: cohabitation agreement, marriage contract, prenup or draft separation agreement.
Any court document you have received, with the date you received it.
Your list of questions, ranked by importance.
A notebook or a way to take notes.

Any violence, threats or controlling behaviour toward you or the children (if you are not safe, read separating when there is abuse first).
Any court date, deadline or document you have been served with.
Whether your spouse has a lawyer, has moved money, or plans to move with the children.
Any immigration, health or disability issue that affects income or parenting.

What are the likely outcomes on property, support and parenting given these facts?
What deadlines apply to me, and is anything urgent right now?
What is your fee structure, what retainer do you need, and what might this cost overall?
Is a flat fee or limited-scope help available for defined tasks, such as reviewing an agreement?
What can I do myself to reduce cost?
Is mediation or a prepared agreement realistic here, or does this need court?
Who else in your office would work on my file, and how quickly do you reply?
What should I do, and not do, before we speak again?
What do you need from me next, and by when?

Go alone, or ask the lawyer before bringing anyone in; having others present can affect confidentiality.
Stick to facts: dates, numbers and documents. Your feelings matter, but the hour is for the legal picture.
Don't sign a retainer on the spot unless you are sure; you can take a few days to decide.

Write up your notes the same day.
Put every deadline and next step the lawyer mentioned in your calendar.
If you saw more than one lawyer, compare approach and communication, not only hourly rate.
If you hire them, read the retainer agreement and ask how billing and updates work.

Whether you want this lawyer for full representation, limited-scope help, or just this consultation.
What the next concrete step is and who is doing it.

The free assessment builds a dated roadmap for your province or state around items like these.