Client Interviewing, Case Intake, and Initial Case Assessment
Intake as fact-gathering and risk screening
Family law intake must capture the marriage date and place, separation date, children's birthdates, prior orders, incomes, assets, debts, addresses, and the client's goals. Run a conflicts check before substantive discussion; a prospective client's information must not be used against them. Send an engagement letter defining scope, fee, retainer, costs, and communication.
Safety and jurisdiction facts
Ask separately about domestic violence, weapons, stalking, child abduction risk, substance abuse, and child safety. Interview parties separately when violence is alleged. Gather residency and domicile dates for the client and the children, because they drive divorce and UCCJEA jurisdiction. Identify urgent deadlines: protective orders, temporary support, school enrollment, and removal of a child. Use a document checklist: tax returns, pay stubs, bank and retirement statements, deeds, loan documents, insurance, text messages. Confirm capacity and arrange an interpreter if needed.
Worked example
A caller says, 'I left my husband last week and moved the children two states away.' Do not say whether the new state has custody jurisdiction. Record the children's home state for the last six months, the prior state, any existing orders, and the date of removal. The attorney must analyze UCCJEA emergency and home-state rules.
Traps
Giving a mini-legal opinion at intake; skipping the conflict check; collecting original documents; failing to ask about prior orders; promising a fee or outcome; not documenting the client's own words.