The problem
At the start of a divorce or financial remedy matter the client has to gather bank statements, pension details and valuations, and the checklist is rewritten each time. If 15 new matters start a month and a tailored list and letter take 20 minutes, that's 300 minutes, 5 hours a month.
What the AI does
You describe the type of matter in general terms, with no client names or figures (for example: married, one property, one pension, small business), to ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini and ask for a plain-English checklist of documents to collect and a cover letter with placeholders. You compare it with your own firm checklist and the current financial statement form, remove or add items, and send it from your case system with the client's name added there.
A worked example
A family firm in Sheffield opens about 15 divorce and financial remedy matters a month. The solicitor asks her assistant for a draft checklist from her own template, with no client details, and checks it against the current form.
Before
20 minutes to tailor a checklist and cover letter for each of 15 new matters: 5 hours a month
After
About 8 minutes to adjust a draft and check it: 2 hours a month
What it's worth
About 3 hours a month saved (12 minutes x 15 matters = 180 minutes), worth around £180 if solicitor time is worth £60 an hour. Plans run from free to about £20 a month for one person.
How to set it up
- Save your firm's standard checklist and a standing instruction: plain English, placeholders for names, no advice.
- Describe each matter in general terms only. Do not type names, addresses, children's details or figures.
- Compare the draft with your own checklist and with the current financial statement form and its guidance.
- Add the client's name and details inside your case system, not in the assistant.
- Send the finished checklist yourself, and keep your original template as the master.
What goes wrong
- Checklists can miss a document or list one that is out of date. The assistant does not know the current form requirements; check against the court form.
- Consumer AI plans are not suitable for identifiable client data. Family matters involve children and finances, so use placeholders only.
- A checklist is not advice. Do not let the assistant suggest what the client should disclose or hold back.
- Free plans have usage limits, so keep a copy of your master template in case you are cut off.