what do you need for your first visit to a divorce attorney

The next group of items that you will need to bring to your first meeting with you attorney is financial information. Your attorney will need to know about your assets and liabilities. If you or you and your spouse have recently completed a financial statement for a bank or mortgage company, bring it to your first meeting.

Full Answer

What to bring to a first meeting with a divorce lawyer?

Aug 21, 2017 · Agreements. If you and your spouse signed a prenuptial agreement or a postnuptial agreement (or if you’ve been working on a separation agreement), your attorney will need a copy. Previous years’ tax returns (with attachments). There is a lot of information in a tax return that can be helpful to your attorney.

What documents do I need to file a divorce?

Aug 06, 2019 · Depending on the complexity of your situation, your lawyer may need to engage a forensic accountant to assist in preparing the marital balance sheet. Alimony There are no forms or charts to calculate financial support for a spouse. The duration and amount of any payments following a divorce are determined solely by negotiation.

What should I do when I visit my lawyer for the first?

At the first visit, the divorce attorney should explain to you what is likely community property in your case. I use the word "likely" because there are facts you may not know and which may surprise you during the divorce. Some spouse's do not know the details of when and how you and your spouse (or just your spouse) acquired certain assets.

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer on my first meeting?

Jan 14, 2021 · Regardless of what you bring to your divorce consultation don’t forget why you are in a divorce attorney’s office in the first place: (1) to get information about divorce in your jurisdiction– we firmly believe that knowledge is power!, (2) to get an idea about what your life could look like post-divorce, and (3) to evaluate whether the attorney you are meeting with is …

What can a divorce attorney do for you?

An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.

What is the goal of hiring an attorney?

For many women, the ‘goal’ of hiring an attorney may simply be “get me outta this marriage!” But honing in on what you want your life to look like after the divorce dust has settled can be a useful tool for identifying how you want to work through the process of ending your marriage.

Can you represent yourself in divorce?

Most states allow individuals to represent themselves in the divorce process. And, it’s more common than you think: 80 percent of divorces involve at least one party representing themselves. Lots of people go this route – which means you can, too.

Is it a good idea to talk to a lawyer about divorce?

If you’ve made up your mind and there’s no alternative but divorce, talking to at least a few lawyers is always a good idea. The first consultation is usually always free, so you’ve got nothing to lose. But, you can gain a lot of information during attorney interviews if you head into the conversation armed with the right questions.

What are the issues in divorce?

Review relevant divorce-related issues 1 custody of any minor children 2 child support 3 alimony —whether either spouse should pay and if so, how much and for how long, and 4 division of property and debts.

What are the emotions of a divorce?

Many, though not all, divorcing clients experience various emotions when their marriage ends, such as fear, anger, hurt, anxiety, or even depression. They may have to endure constant conflict at home; they may be losing sleep or have deep concerns about how their children will handle the impending divorce news.

What is a free consultation?

If a lawyer offers a free consultation, this is your opportunity to meet with and determine whether that attorney is a good match for your case. Free consultations are not the place for in-depth legal questions, so don't go into a consultation expecting the attorney to answer case-specific questions.

What is retainer agreement?

A retainer agreement should layout cost, billing procedures, and details about who will work on your case.

Can a lawyer appear in court?

At the same time, the attorney may only appear in court on your behalf. However, in small law firms, your lawyer may be your only point of contact throughout the entire case. Once you have a contract, you'll schedule your first meeting with your lawyer. What happens at your first meeting depends on what's happening in your divorce case.

Starting the Divorce Process: Related Resources

If you're just starting the divorce process or planning to do so, you may feel overwhelmed by all of the steps required. If you also have children, the process can be much more emotionally draining. The following resources will help you make sense of your state's divorce laws and the divorce process in general.

If You're Getting Divorced, Don't Go it Alone: An Attorney Can Help

After determining which documents to show your divorce attorney at that first consultation, you'll want to find the right attorney. But just because a lawyer has a lot of experience and great credentials doesn't mean they're necessarily the right fit, since style and personalities vary widely.

Main Issues to Discuss with Your Divorce Attorney

The checklists below, organized into general categories, can give you an idea of what documents you'll need to gather as well as issues to discuss with your divorce attorney.

Get Legal Help with Your Divorce

The legal issues involved in a divorce are numerous and complex, which is why it can be daunting to go through a divorce without legal representation. Contact a local divorce attorney who can answer any questions and help guide you through the divorce process.