Thinking about the logistics of how to file for divorce can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never gone through the process before. It’s normal to be emotional, overwhelmed, and confused about how to go through the process. One of the first things you’ll need to do is find a divorce attorney, and you may feel intimidated and uncertain. What should you expect? It will help to go into your first meeting with your potential divorce attorney as prepared as you can be.
Your divorce attorney will need to know a lot about you. One of the biggest pieces your attorney will need to understand is your financial picture. At that initial meeting, you should be prepared to give at least a general summary of your assets, debts, property, income, expenses, tax returns, and anything else. This information will be important in determining the ease of property division, spousal support, child support, and other scenarios. It’s important to be honest with your attorney.
Many attorneys will have a client intake sheet for you to fill out in advance that may get you started with this piece. Begin with asking your attorney what information they need from you. You may have plenty to share about what brought you to this point, but this can be an overwhelming task. Ask your attorney to guide you through the information they need. At minimum, you’ll share the date of marriage, number of children, children’s names, and any other information that can help them create a plan for your divorce strategy. Again, be honest. You want to make sure your attorney has all the facts.
You probably have plenty of questions for your attorney, and your initial meeting is the right time to begin to ask. Is your attorney a family law specialist? What is their experience with divorce circumstances like yours? How well do they resolve cases for their clients? What can someone in your position expect from alimony, custody, property division, and child support?
Every situation is unique, but your attorney should give you a realistic picture of what to expect. Decide if you connect with your attorney by having them tell you about themselves. You need to feel comfortable with your attorney and their strategy.
Ask your attorney what the next steps are. Ask what you’ll need to do when you leave the office, as well as what your attorney will do. You may want to know how to file for divorce immediately, or you may simply be getting ready to file. Your attorney, if you have selected them, will likely give you paperwork for a contract and ask for a retainer. You will likely have temporary orders for custody, support, and what you can do with your assets. You may also be given information to prepare for your next steps. Don’t be afraid to ask your attorney to walk you through the process.
Remember, this isn’t the place for secrets. Be honest with your attorney about your financial picture. Ask what the attorney charges for a retainer, what that retainer covers, what their hourly charge is beyond the retainer, what the costs of filing are. Ask about additional professionals who may work on your case and what you may expect to pay for those services. Ask if you’ll receive itemized statements. Don’t leave your first meeting without an honest, straightforward discussion about costs and payment.
If you go into your first meeting prepared, you will likely be less intimidated by the process and will, hopefully, leave with an attorney who feels like a partner. You will know what to expect during your divorce, and you’ll have a plan to get you from this phase of your life to the next. If you’re in the process of filing for divorce and need a trusted family law attorney at your side, contact my office today.