what to take to a divorce attorney

36 Pieces of Information Your Divorce Attorney Will Need

1. Your basic information: full name, date of birth, and social security number.
2. Contact information such as an address, landline/cell phone number, and email address.
3. Proof of state residency.
4. Information about your employer: name, address, and phone number.
5. Your length of employment and your monthly or annual salary. ...

More items...

Full Answer

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

Nov 23, 2018 · Divorce is complicated - legally, financially, and emotionally. 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.

Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce?

Aug 21, 2017 · There is a lot of information in a tax return that can be helpful to your attorney. If you can, bring one or two years to your initial consultation. The attachments (W2s, 1099s, etc) can also be very helpful, so don’t omit copying those. Last 3 Paystubs (yours and your spouse’s).

How to prepare for a divorce?

Jan 17, 2022 · Starting to do so before you file will save you time and frustration in the long run. If possible, bring 1-3 years of tax returns to your first meeting with an attorney. Your income tax returns will give your attorney the overview of your finances. 3. Prepare a budget and prepare to stick to it. Divorce is expensive, whether you hire an attorney or not.

What are some secrets your divorce lawyer might not want you to know?

Sep 06, 2021 · Any steps you take to avoid confusion or duplication is a winning strategy for you. Doing this ahead of time gives your attorney an immediate and useful overview of the property and assets likely to be at issue in your case. Most importantly, it allows the two of you to efficiently work together to secure your short and long-term interests.

What information is needed to file a student loan?

Include all information such as balances owed, interest rate, payment schedule and the school, and what period of time you or your spouse received the loan.

What is an exhibit A on a grant deed?

Copy of the current Grant Deed (s) with Exhibit “A” (legal description) on each property that shows how title is held (if the title has been changed, provide copies of all deeds from the time of acquisition). The Deed of Trust or Note is not needed.

Who is Jason Crowley?

Jason Crowley is a divorce financial strategist, personal finance expert, and entrepreneur. Jason is the managing partner of Divorce Capital Planning, co-founder of Divorce Mortgage Advisors, and founder of Survive Divorce.

Do you need a financial analyst for divorce?

Depending on the complexity of your divorce, you may need a lot of documentation to give to your lawyer or Certified Divorce Financial Analyst . The more organized you are upfront will not only save you time and stress, but it will also save you money as well.

Do you have to disclose your finances during divorce?

If you’re in the dark about your finances, that’s okay. You and your spouse will be required to complete financial affidavits (disclosures) as part of the divorce process. The goal at this point is simply to begin identifying the puzzle pieces.

How to choose a divorce attorney?

There are several things to look for when choosing a divorce attorney. You want to choose someone who is experienced, respected, competent, and affordable. If they are proving to not be a good fit though, change them. Because you can, even if the reason is that you don't get on with him or her. Bear in mind however that if an attorney has worked on your case, you'll have to pay her/him for their time. Also, it might damage your case to change attorney's when you are close to a court ordered deadline, so only do it after careful consideration.

How to start a divorce?

One of the best and simplest ways to do that is to start a divorce file. In this file, keep every bit of paper that could have an effect on how your divorce proceedings. Gather copies of all important financial documents and access to all account information. Keep it organized and easy to navigate.

What is fault based divorce?

Fault-based divorce is when one spouse committed an act that gives legal justification to the ending of the marriage. These acts include adultery, a felony conviction, cruelty, or desertion.

How much does a divorce cost?

Contested divorces cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, though there are plenty of ways to limit the staunch the outward flow of cash before and during the process.

What does it mean to be uncontested in divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse agree child custody, spousal support, child support, visitation, and division of property. If you find that there is no need to fight over these things, you've already saved yourself thousands of dollars.

Is divorce law firm bigger than solo practice?

In any industry, the larger a company is, the bigger volume it's doing. Divorce law firms are no different, prompting many people to seek a solo practitioner who is more invested in the outcome of your case. Paradoxically, however, if the solo practitioner does not have adequate support staff in his or her office, your case may end up not getting the attention and care you were promised.

What is mediation in divorce?

Mediation is a process whereby you and your spouse sit down with a neutral third party to negotiate several important areas of divorce. It's a low-cost way to address practically any other disagreement you and your spouse may have. While the mediator's decision is not binding, it allows a neutral party to provide their perspective on how divorce related issues should be addressed. However, mediation can only be a useful tool if you and your spouse can come to an broad agreement.

How to respond to divorce papers in Florida?

In responding to divorce papers in Florida, you have two basic options: you can file either or both an answer or counterclaim. In an answer, a person has the opportunity to lay out their side of the case, responding directly to any arguments made by the spouse. In a counterclaim, a person can make their own independent request for a divorce, on whichever grounds that they see fit. No matter which type of response you are submitting, it is imperative that you prepare a response that is carefully drafted and well-reasoned. It is strongly recommended that you seek guidance from a qualified Florida divorce lawyer.

What happens if you don't respond to divorce papers?

To start, you should understand what happens if you simply fail to respond to divorce papers: a default judgment will likely be entered against you. You cannot make the divorce go away by ignoring it. Not responding to divorce papers will not stop the process; in fact, it will not even slow down the process. Instead, the entire divorce could be conducted without your input. In effect, this means that your former partner will get to offer up their side of the story, while your side of the story is left out. This can only hurt you. To protect your legal rights, you need to be sure to respond to divorce papers.