what to bring to an initial custody meeting with a lawyer

What to bring to your first meeting with your lawyer about child custody Basic information about the children, such as: dates of birth, names, ages, schools attended, what grade they are in (if applicable), special needs, names and ages of step-siblings, and whether step-siblings live in the home

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What should I bring to my meeting with my attorney?

Here are some suggestions for what to bring to your meeting with your attorney. A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. A list of questions.

What documents should I bring to my Family Law appointment?

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 gives them important details about you and your family.

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

Remember the military adage, “Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.” While the documents can seem personal, you should feel comfortable enough with your divorce lawyer that you are comfortable sharing – it will help you and your attorney be ready. Here are some of the most useful documents you can bring: Intake Form.

What should I do when I visit my lawyer for the first?

You should not put a lot of pressure on yourself when you visit with your lawyer for the first time, but some documents can be helpful to your new attorney in assessing the issues in your case. Remember the military adage, “Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.”

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Gathering Documents to Show to a Child Custody Attorney

The child custody attorneys will find it helpful if you bring several documents with you, such as:

Questions to Ask

It's helpful to collect your thoughts before you head out to your first initial consultation with a child custody attorney. Write them down on paper and bring them with you. You don't want to forget to ask something. Also bring some writing material so that you can jot down the answers.

Your Ideal Child Custody Lawyer

It is a worthwhile practice to consider what qualities your ideal child custody lawyer would have. That way, you'll recognize the right one when you meet. Here are some qualities to consider:

What to do if you have been keeping a calendar of events?

Calendars/Journals. If you’ve been keeping a calendar of events or journaling, you should consider bringing those to help jog your memory about timeline and events. Inflammatory Documents. Don’t hold back from your attorney.

What is an intake form for family law?

Most family law lawyers have an intake form that gives them a snapshot of the issues and your goals, and gives them important details about you and your family. At McCabe Russell, we don’t require you to fill it out our intake form advance, but if you can, it helps us move forward. Agreements.

What information does a credit card statement contain?

Other debt information (car loans, credit card debt, etc). As with the other documents, credit card statements contain a ton of information that can be useful to your attorney – the debt information, of course, but your history of spending (and your spouse’s) can also assist your attorney as you move forward. Text Message History.

What is the purpose of texting your spouse?

It gives the attorney a sense of how you and your spouse or co-parent communicate, and it gives your attorney an opportunity to coach you through good and bad responses.

What to bring to a lawyer meeting?

What Should I Bring? 1 A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. 2 A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney. Write these questions down ahead of time, to make sure you get every query answered while you're sitting there. 3 A check for the initial consultation fee, if your attorney charges one. This should be discussed ahead of the meeting. Nothing gets a lawyer-client relationship off on the wrong foot faster than forgetting to make your first payment. Presenting that fee immediately shows that you're taking the relationship seriously. 4 Any documents relevant to your case. If, for example, you are negotiating a lease and want the lawyer to review it, you should obviously bring a copy of the draft lease. If possible, make multiple copies of each document you give to your lawyer, so that you can take a set back home. (Or you can ask the lawyer's office to make the copies, but you'll likely be charged at premium rates for those.)

What to write in a conversation with an attorney?

In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney.

What is an initial meeting with an attorney?

An initial meeting with your attorney is important, not just for exchanging information about your case, but also for building rapport and trust. Commonly, you will first have a short phone call with the lawyer, who will then ask to meet you in person. If you aren't yet certain you plan to use this lawyer, ...

What happens if you don't hire a lawyer?

Be honest. Remember that, even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer, everything you tell him or her during your meeting is generally subject to the attorney-client privilege. (The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound ...

Is honesty good for a lawyer?

In most cases, honesty is in your best interest. Lawyers seldom see cases that are cut and dried, with one party completely the "good guy.". It 's much better for the lawyer to know any bad news up front than to be surprised later with revelations you failed to share.

Should I hire an attorney at the end of a meeting?

By the end of your meeting, you should leave with a clear understanding of what you've accomplished and what's ahead. Remember, you are under no obligation to hire a particular attorney merely because you had an initial meeting.

Can you bring a copy of a draft lease?

If, for example, you are negotiating a lease and want the lawyer to review it, you should obviously bring a copy of the draft lease. If possible, make multiple copies of each document you give to your lawyer, so that you can take a set back home.

Time

My initial consultations take about 1 ½ hours on average. Based on experience, I find that clients stop absorbing information after that amount of time and sometimes they are emotionally exhausted.

Conversation

We’re going to have a detailed conversation. I am primarily going to listen to you. I will ask questions to guide the discussion so I can get a better picture of what’s happening in your life and to learn what are your primary concerns and goals. You will also have ample time to ask me questions.

What specific things are we going to talk about?

Divorce: In general, divorce includes four broad topics – property, debt, children (if applicable), and alimony (also called spousal support).

What papers should you bring to the meeting?

New court cases: Generally, if there is no pending court deadline or hearing, it’s not necessary to bring any papers with you for the initial consultation. Some people feel more confident if they have a checklist to help them prepare for meetings.

Legal Procedure Options

Nowadays, families have options for resolving their disputes. You can still go to court and let the judge make the decisions, but you also can take more control over the ultimate outcome by utilizing either the Collaborative procedure or mediation/settlement facilitation.

Representation & Fee Agreement

At the end of the initial consultation, I will provide you with the Representation & Fee Agreement. This is a contract that spells out the responsibilities each of us as if you choose to hire me to represent you. It explains my fees and your payment obligations. The retainer is set.

What happens next?

There is usually a flurry of activity at the beginning of a case. You will work closely with the paralegal in gathering documents and financial records. The appropriate pleading will be drafted. If there is a court hearing coming up, I will prepare for it and prepare you for what you will likely do in the courtroom.