A simple checklist so you feel prepared, not overwhelmed
Most people walk into their first meeting with a law firm thinking:
“I’m probably forgetting something important.”
Good news: you don’t need to show up with a perfect folder.
You just need to bring what you have, and a little context.
Here’s a short checklist you can use for any consultation with VZ Law.
1. Basic information
Bring or have handy:
- Your full legal name and contact info
- Names of key family members (spouse/partner, children, important relatives)
- Any important dates (marriage, divorce, death, major moves)
Why this matters to your brain:
When you can answer basic questions quickly, your stress drops and you can focus on the big picture, not scrambling for details.
2. Existing documents (even ifyou’renot sure they’re “right”)
Bring anything you already have, such as:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Health care directives
- Beneficiary designations (for life insurance or retirement accounts)
- Prior court papers (probate filings, petitions, orders)
- Letters from other lawyers or the court
Don’t worry if:
- You don’t understand them
- They feel outdated
- You’re embarrassed by how long they’ve sat in a drawer
Your brain tends to label paperwork as “threat” because it’s confusing. Handing it to us lets you offload that mental load.
3. Financial snapshot (just the highlights)
You do not need every statement. A simple snapshot is plenty:
List of major assets:
- Real estate (addresses)
- Bank accounts (bank names, approximate balances)
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, etc.)
- Life insurance policies
- Businesses or rental properties
Any major debts:
- Mortgages
- Lines of credit
- Significant loans
Think “big rocks,” not pebbles. We’ll tell you later if we need specifics.
4. Any recent or upcoming deadlines
If you’re dealing with a recent death, dispute, or court issue, look for:
- Court dates or hearing notices
- Deadlines on letters from the court, lawyers, or financial institutions
- Time‑sensitive things (like a foreclosure notice, demand letter, or deadline to respond)
Your brain relaxes when you know time pressure is being handled. Bring whatever you have, we’ll triage the deadlines.
5. Your top 3 questions or worries
Before the meeting, take 2 minutes and jot down the three things keeping you up at night, like:
- “I’m scared my kids will fight after I’m gone.”
- “I don’t want the family home to be forced into a sale.”
- “I think someone is taking advantage of my parent, but I don’t know how to prove it.”
This gives your brain a powerful “win”: even if we don’t solve everything in one meeting, you’ll know we tackled the right things first.
What if I can’t find everything?
That’s okay.
The point of the first meeting is clarity and direction, not perfection.
Bring what you have. We’ll help you sort out:
- What’s missing
- What actually matters
- What your next steps should be
Your brain gets an immediate reward: going from “I don’t even know where to start” to “here’s my next step.
