what to bring when meeting with a divorce attorney

• Tax returns (these are helpful in making a potential assessment for alimony and/or child support)
• All retirement plan details (this tends to be some of the largest assets and therefore is most likely to provide the most current view of your financial situation)
• All statements of bank balances and investments
• Prenuptial and/or post nuptial agreements
• Credit card statements
• Recent pay stubs for both parties in order to provide a current picture of family income
• Deeds to any real estate you own

Full Answer

What should I bring to my divorce attorney’s office?

Jun 14, 2019 · What should I bring to my first meeting with my divorce attorney? A List of Questions: . In the days or weeks leading up to your initial consultation, create a running list of questions... Legal Documents Relevant to Your Case:. After your marriage, did you enter into a postnuptial agreement? Is ...

What should I bring to my first meeting with a lawyer?

Aug 21, 2017 · Here are some of the most useful documents you can bring: Intake Form. Most family law lawyers have an intake form that gives them a snapshot of the issues and your goals, and... Agreements. If you and your spouse signed a prenuptial agreement or a postnuptial agreement (or if you’ve been working... ...

When should you meet with your divorce attorney?

Jan 24, 2022 · These will include income tax returns and proof of income related to marital debt, assets, property valuations, etc. Attorneys want documents because dry ink doesn't lie. Your spouse might make...

How should I prepare my Documents for my attorney?

Apr 25, 2018 · For example, you should have the following written down: dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, places of employment, and information about any children from the marriage. 2. General Narrative Information About Your Marriage You should also be prepared to tell the divorce lawyer about your marriage more generally.

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

What should you expect when meeting the lawyer for the first time?

What should I ask for in my divorce?

What are the five stages of divorce?

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

How long should you wait for a lawyer to call you back?

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce?

What is leverage in a divorce?

What are the four main issues in divorce?

How does divorce change a man?

What is the most difficult stage of divorce?

What is the most important stage of divorce?

Why is it important to provide a complete and organized file with all documents to your attorney?

It’s important that you provide a complete and very organized file with all documents to your attorney, which will help the negotiation stage of the divorce. "Divorce is one of the greatest upheavals you will ever experience in your life," says former divorce lawyer Brette Sember. "Because the process is so overwhelming, ...

What documents are needed for real estate?

Documents Related to Real Estate 1 Any documents showing the legal description of any real estate owned together or separately. These can be obtained from your mortgage company or bank. 2 Your current mortgage statements on any mortgages you have on real estate property. 3 All documents pertaining to the initial purchase of the real estate. 4 If the real estate has been refinanced, all documents pertaining to the refinance. 5 Tax assessor’s statement (s) pertaining to any and all real estate.

What information should be included in a monthly budget?

This should include the needs and expenses of any children you have .

Do you have to disclose debts during divorce?

"All debts entered into during the marriage must be disclosed as part of financial disclosure ," explains Sember. "The court will determine which are marital debts and divide them as part of the divorce ."

Do you have to disclose assets in a divorce?

Similar to income statements, the court needs documentation of all financial accounts, both separate and joint. "Both parties have to completely disclose their assets ," asserts Sember. "Any account opened or contributed to during the marriage is potentially marital property and must be assessed."

Can a divorce court prove truthfulness?

Your spouse might make claims to a mediator or in divorce court, but documents can prove whether they are being truthful. So, you need to provide any documents that tell the story of what has happened in your marriage financially and in any other way.

2. General Narrative Information About Your Marriage

You should also be prepared to tell the divorce lawyer about your marriage more generally. In addition to providing details about the date of the marriage and children from the marriage, you should plan to discuss a general narrative of the relationship, concerns you have about the divorce, and any other issues related to the family.

3. Information About a Premarital or Prenuptial Agreement

Is there a premarital or prenuptial agreement? You should be prepared with a copy of the premarital or prenuptial agreement, and to discuss its enforceability with your divorce attorney.

4. List of Separate and Marital Property

Generally speaking, marital property will be distributed as part of the divorce proceedings, while separate property will not. Marital property includes assets and debts from the marriage.

5. Other Financial Information

Are you anticipating that you will need spousal support until you are able to find a job or to acquire a degree? Are you anticipating that you will be paying spousal support? If you have questions or concerns about spousal maintenance or alimony, you should plan to address those with your divorce attorney at your first meeting.

Contact a Divorce Attorney to Discuss Your Case

Preparing to meet with a divorce lawyer can feel intimidating, but it is important to keep in mind that your divorce lawyer will advocate for your rights throughout the process. An experienced divorce attorney can speak with you today about what to expect in your divorce.

Bruce Stanger

My litigation experience includes family law, divorce, product liability, construction law, professional negligence, shareholder disputes, legal malpractice, and general commercial litigation.

What is the most contentious aspect of divorce?

Dividing up property a couple has acquired throughout their marriage (also known as marital property) can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division of property that works in your favor.

Is divorce exhaustive?

As you can see, the above list extensive -- yet, it is not exhaustive. Every divorce is different since every couple enters and leaves a marriage under different circumstances and with different assets. Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all ...

Is it a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all of the property

Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all of the property and assets relevant to your case.

What to do before a divorce meeting?

Before your first meeting remember the 4Ps. Preparation prevents poor performance. As a matter of fact, remind yourself of the 4Ps throughout the divorce process. Before your first meeting, you need to prepare two documents if at all possible. One is simple biographical information– your full name, address, phone numbers, place of employment, ...

What is the first meeting you have with a divorce attorney?

The first category is when you are unhappy in your marriage, know very little about divorce, and want to gather some basic information so you can make educated decisions about preserving or ending your marriage.

How many pages should a divorce narrative be?

If you have decided to file a divorce, or your spouse has filed a divorce against you, your narrative needs to be more detailed — probably three to 10 pages . The next group of items that you will need to bring to your first meeting with you attorney is financial information.

What is a citation in divorce?

You may have been served with a citation — an official document from the court advising you that you have been sued for divorce and giving you a specific time to respond to the court or ordering you to appear in court on a specific date.

Do you know if you are going to get divorced?

You do not really know whether or not you are going to get divorced. You just want to know what your options are. The second category is when you have made the decision to end your marriage and you are meeting with your divorce attorney for the first time because you want to file a divorce.

What is the most contentious aspect of divorce?

Dividing up property a couple has acquired throughout their marriage (also known as marital property) can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division of property that works in your favor.

Is divorce exhaustive?

As you can see, the above list extensive -- yet, it is not exhaustive. Every divorce is different since every couple enters and leaves a marriage under different circumstances and with different assets. Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all ...