divorce lawyer consultations – what you need to know

• A List of You and Your Spouse’s Assets. It’s very important to have a list of you and your spouse’s assets when you walk into your meeting. ...
• Discuss Legal Fees. One of the first things you want to discuss is the lawyer’s legal fees. ...
• You’re Going to Have to Get Personal. If you’re going through a nasty contested divorce, you might want to shy away from unloading the personal details of your marriage to ...
• The Bottom Line. Free consultations can be the deciding factor on who you hire as a lawyer. ...

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

• We match 50,000 consumers with lawyers every month.
• Our service is 100% free of charge.
• Nolo is a part of the Martindale Nolo network, which has been matching clients with attorneys for 100+ years.

What questions should I ask at a divorce consultation?

Questions That You Should Ask the Attorney. When you visit the attorney’s office, it is important for you to find out as much as you can about the attorney, the process, and other details of the divorce process that you need to know about. To find everything you need to know, you need to prepare a list of questions to ask the divorce lawyer.

How to evaluate a good divorce attorney?

These are some questions to ask when you are evaluating an attorney:

• How long have you practiced this type of law? ...
• How many cases of this type have you handled in the last six months? ...
• What are your fees? ...
• What are the court fees? ...
• How much do you think a case like mine would cost? ...
• Can a payment plan be worked out? ...
• What are the chances of my spouse paying some of my legal fees? ...
• Do you provide a written contract? ...

More items...

What to discuss with your divorce lawyer?

What to Discuss With Your Divorce Lawyer

• Child-Related Issues. Obviously, this will not apply if you and your spouse have no kids together, but if you do, this will likely be at the forefront of your mind.
• Asset Division. If a couple has no children, then their main issue will likely be asset division. ...
• Alimony. ...
• Documents to Have Ready. ...
• Seek Legal Help. ...

What is an initial divorce consultation?

Why is it important to understand your divorce?

Can you fight divorce in court?

What should I ask for in my divorce?

5 Things To Make Sure Are Included In Your Divorce SettlementA detailed parenting-time schedule—including holidays! ... Specifics about support. ... Life insurance. ... Retirement accounts and how they will be divided. ... A plan for the sale of the house.

How do you play dirty in a divorce?

Top 10 Dirtiest Divorce TricksServing Papers with the Intent to Embarrass. You're angry with your spouse, and you want to humiliate him or her. ... Taking Everything. ... Canceling Credit Cards. ... Clearing Our Your Bank Accounts. ... Starving Out the Other Spouse. ... Refusing to Cooperate. ... Jeopardizing Employment. ... Meddling in an Affair.More items...•

What should I ask my first divorce lawyer UK?

7 questions to ask your divorce solicitor at your first meetingDo I have the right to a divorce? ... How long will my divorce take? ... Who will our children live with? ... How much will maintenance be? ... Who will pay the costs of my divorce? ... Will I have to go to court? ... Is it possible for me to have a divorce if my spouse objects?More items...•

How do narcissists deal with divorce?

In a narcissist's mind, they do not fail; they do not make mistakes. Therefore, your spouse will place the blame for the divorce squarely on your shoulders. A narcissist will use whatever resources they can to protect their self-inflated ego.

How do you fight a narcissist in a divorce?

Divorcing a NarcissistDon't Even THINK That Your Divorce Will Be Amicable. ... Get a Strong, but Reasonable, Divorce Lawyer. ... Get a Therapist. ... Assemble Your Support Team BEFORE You Divorce. ... Get EVERYTHING in Writing! ... Stay Out of Court as Much as You Can. ... Find Ways Your Narcissistic Spouse Can “Win” ... Pick Your Battles Wisely.More items...

How do I prepare for a divorce UK?

Preparing for divorce – what do I need to consider?Understand your financial situation. Alongside the divorce, one of the important things you will need to consider is the distribution of the financial assets. ... Collate the paperwork. ... Look to the future. ... Document your valuables. ... Don't act in haste. ... Seek expert advice.

Is no fault divorce legal in UK?

On 6 April 2022, there was a significant change in divorce law for England and Wales. It's the first change for 50 years. The changes mean that instead of needing to prove the other party is at fault, there is now no requirement to assign fault when filing for divorce.

What questions should I ask a lawyer?

Important questions to ask a lawyer are about fee structure and estimated cost, approaches such as mediation versus court, how you should communicate (phone or email), how long they have practiced on cases such as yours, and who else within the office will be working on your case.

What does a good lawyer do?

You may crave immediate answers. A good lawyer will give you his or her educated opinion about how your case will likely unfold but can’t guarantee the final result. (If a lawyer. tells you only what you want to hear, run.)

Is divorce law stressful?

Divorce law seems complicated and stressful. Divorce law can be complicated. We will do our best to explain your situation in clear, understandable terms. You may want to write down a list of questions and concerns before the meeting. At the end of our time, go through it to make sure we covered it all.

What can an attorney do for a divorce?

An attorney will be able to help an individual obtain what they seek in their divorce case. Often, important items such as homes and vehicles have to be divided between parties to a divorce. Additionally, there may be children involved, adding a child custody and visitation aspect to the case.

How to prepare for a divorce?

Many, if not all, aspects of their life will be changing. The first step to a strong divorce case is hiring an experienced family law attorney.

What is the foundation of a divorce?

The foundation of a strong divorce case is the knowledge of the rules and requirements for filing for divorce in the state in which a party resides. An attorney will know this information and be able to advise the party if they meet the requirements for a divorce in their state.

What are some of the things you can't do in a divorce?

Some “don’ts” for divorce cases include: Don’t: Be petty. Do not punish the other party with outlandish requests and needlessly drag out the divorce process. Don’t: Don’t provide dishonest information to an attorney and/or the court in an attempt to get more out of the divorce.

Why is it important to hire a divorce lawyer?

For most individuals, a divorce is simply too complex and emotionally challenging to handle on their own. A divorce lawyer can advise you on the laws of your state and your rights under those laws.

Why do you need to present an argument in a divorce?

They will also know how to best present an argument to the court in order to protect an individual’s rights and property during a divorce. Depending on whether an individual lives in a no-fault or fault divorce state, they may be required to provide a reason for divorce.

What are the most heavily contested issues during a divorce?

Usually, property distribution, the listing of assets, and child-related expenses are the most heavily contested issues during a divorce.

Personal Information

1. Your basic information: full name, date of birth, and social security number.

Financial Information

29. A list of all joint and separate bank accounts, savings accounts, C.D.’s, Credit Union accounts, Savings Bonds and Stocks and Mutual Funds.

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.

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

What to ask a lawyer about a case?

An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.

What is a meeting with a lawyer?

Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.

Can you ask where an attorney went to law school?

It is generally not very helpful to ask where the attorney went to law school since you can find this information online and it often tells you nothing useful anyhow. Focus instead on experience with your type of case. You can also ask the average verdict the lawyer has obtained in your type of case.

What to do when you get a sense of divorce?

When you get a sense you are heading for divorce, set up an official system that will include documentation, official correspondence, court records, research, notes and more. Make copies for yourself, your attorney and any other members of your team who will benefit from having pertinent information.

What do you include in a divorce affidavit?

Include any memberships, reward points, and other perks that may be considered as assets . 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.

Why is it important to make sure you are treated fairly after divorce?

Making sure you are treated fairly is vital to give you the best chance of moving forward in the best possible way after your divorce is finalized. Whether your divorce issues are narrow and simple or complex and multifaceted, you will still need to acquire a fair amount of information to prepare for divorce.

How many bills do you have to pay before divorce?

Before your divorce, you had one house payment, one set of utility bills, one health insurance policy and so forth. Now, you and your spouse will now have two of each of these (and many others) to deal with. This means you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of your current and future expenses.

Can you talk to your spouse after a divorce?

Some couples find it impossible to talk to their spouses after an initial split, and that’s understandable. However, just because you’ve separated, does not mean you are done in your relationship with that person. The better your communication and cooperation are, the quicker and easier your divorce will be.

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.

Is it uncommon to say "various" in a preliminary declaration?

It is not uncommon, at least for the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure, to simply say “various” items acquired over “various” dates and the values of these items are “unknown.”. On the other hand, if there are specific items of furniture and furnishings that are particularly valuable, please note those items.

What is an initial divorce consultation?

A productive initial divorce consultation can provide a toolbox of information allowing you to reflect on your situation before taking the next steps. Scheduling an initial divorce consultation is a big step, especially if your spouse is not pursuing divorce. However, going to an initial divorce consultation does not necessarily mean you intend ...

Why is it important to understand your divorce?

This is valuable information to help you decide your next steps. Take one step at a time, consider your options, and proceed the way you deem best for you and your family.

Can you fight divorce in court?

If you decide to divorce, fighting it out in court is only one option. At the consultation, you can learn about the litigation process. In addition, you can learn about divorce mediation and collaborative divorce processes. These processes provide out of court settlements.