how to prepare for first meeting with divorce lawyer

How to Prepare for a Meeting with Your Lawyer or Divorce Coach

• Read about the divorce process. There are a plethora of books, blogs, and articles to help you familiarize yourself with the divorce process.
• List your questions and goals. Gather a list of questions and topics you would like to know more about. ...
• Get organized. ...
• Bring an open mind and patience. ...

Full Answer

What should I bring to my first meeting with my divorce attorney?

Apr 30, 2021 · Schedule a First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney We have offices in Wharton County, Fort Bend County and Matagorda County. Our appointments can be online, in-person or by phone. Call or text 800-929-1725 for an appointment. You can also click the button below to schedule an appointment. Schedule Your First Meeting Our Hours

When should you meet with your divorce attorney?

The following guidance can help you get the most out of your first meeting with your divorce lawyer. 1. PREPARE A WRITTEN SUMMARY You can save a lot of time by writing down basic information that your lawyer will need. This includes you and your spouse’s full name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, and email address.

How should attorneys approach the first client meeting?

Aug 24, 2020 · As you go into your first meeting with a divorce attorney, be prepared to be open and honest. Share any details that you think are relevant or add context to your situation, and know that your conversation is 100% confidential. Schedule Your …

How do I make an appointment with a divorce attorney?

Jun 28, 2006 · Take your last two year’s tax returns to your first meeting with your attorney, along with year-to-date pay stubs for you and your spouse. Bring a list of your monthly living expenses. This past December I had a client show up in my office with a notebook containing all of the above information, along with the backup.

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

Here are five keys and some secrets to get the most value from your first meeting with a lawyer:Prepare a Factual Outline. ... Gather and Organize Your Documents.Identify Your Objectives. ... Write Out Your Questions and Don't be Afraid to Ask Them. ... Conserve and Consolidate Your Communications.

What should a lawyer do in the first meeting with a client?

During the New Client Consultation, Every Lawyer Should…Be Clear about Any Consultation Fees. ... Introduce the Firm and Working Attorneys' Experience as Is Relevant to the Case. ... Be Attentive. ... Showcase Knowledge and Know-How. ... Engage with Specifics. ... Discuss the Process.More items...•Aug 13, 2019

What should a woman ask for in 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.Sep 14, 2017

What happens at first lawyer consultation?

During your first consultation, we will listen to what you want, make recommendations on how best to approach your matter, and give advice on how to achieve the best outcome – whether it be by way of a negotiated settlement, mediation or litigation.

How should I dress for an attorney consultation?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.Sep 4, 2019

Who suffers the most in a divorce?

Men are more than twice as likely to suffer from post-divorce depression than women. Anxiety and hypertension are common in men after divorce, which can result in substance abuse and in the worst cases, suicide. Ten divorced men commit suicide in the U.S. each day.Jul 20, 2020

What is a divorced woman called?

If she retains her former husband's last name (and many women do so that their surname will be the same as their children's) then Mrs. [or Ms.] Susan Reynolds is correct. If she reverts to her maiden name, Ms. is the correct title, as in "Ms.

Does it make a difference who files for divorce first?

Filing for divorce before your spouse allows you more control over the situation from the beginning and could provide some strategic options. Filing for divorce first does not give you any inherent rights over your spouse.Jan 26, 2021

What questions should I ask my divorce lawyer?

There are also some basic questions that a family law attorney will need to ask you to begin the divorce process, including the date of your marriage, information about your children (if any), an overview of your property and debts, and whether your case involves custody, child support, or alimony issues. An experienced divorce lawyer will know how ...

What to expect during a divorce consultation?

The subjects discussed during your consultation will depend on how far along you are in your divorce. Some clients are eager to file for divorce immediately, while others are still unsure if a divorce is right for them and just want some information about their legal rights.

What to expect when meeting with a divorce attorney?

If it is your first meeting with your divorce attorney, you probably fall into one of three categories. 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. 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. You are over a lot of the emotional pain and you are now ready for action. The third category is when your spouse has filed a divorce against you and you need to protect your rights. 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. Alternatively, you may have received a letter from your spouse’s attorney asking you to get an attorney and warning you that if you don’t, you will be served with a citation. In any event, it is time for you to respond.

What do you need to know before a divorce?

One is simple biographical information– your full name, address, phone numbers, place of employment, address of employment, date of birth, your driver’s license number, ...

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.

What is the second category of divorce?

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. You are over a lot of the emotional pain and you are now ready for action. The third category is when your spouse has filed a divorce against you ...

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.

Interviewing Divorce Attorneys

How Should I Prepare For The First Meeting?

• Your first meeting or consultation will probably take place at the attorney’s office. Most divorce attorneys will tell you what to bring to your meeting. If not, bring any documents you feel are important to your case. Try to stay calm and not worry too much about this first meeting; think of it as ...

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Is The Meeting Confidential?

What to Expect During The Consultation