what to expect from free divorce lawyer consultation

As far as the free consultation with a divorce lawyer in this regard, you may want to discuss the finances of the marriage, providing any pay stubs, bank account statements, and the like if the attorney asks for them. As the financial circumstances of each spouse is typically relevant to nearly all dissolution of marriage suits.

Full Answer

What happens at a divorce consultation?

The main purpose of the consultation is to discuss your case. Essentially, you are having a conversation with the lawyer about your pending divorce, and you should be the one doing most of the talking. The attorney should be listening intently and taking notes.

What should I expect during my first meeting with my divorce lawyer?

Essentially, you are having a conversation with the lawyer about your pending divorce, and you should be the one doing most of the talking. The attorney should be listening intently and taking notes. He or she will also ask questions just to make sure that all of the information about the case is correct.

What should I expect at my first consultation with an attorney?

The attorney should divulge his or her hourly rate as well as the amount of the initial retainer and how often you will be billed for services. The initial consultation is a great opportunity to get a “feel” for the attorney and determine whether he or she is a good fit for you.

Should I schedule a free consultation with a lawyer?

The internet makes it easy to get in contact with numerous attorneys and since most law firms offer free consultations, it may not be a bad idea to schedule a number of free consultations to see who treats you best, educates you, respects you and your time, and has the legal fee flexibility you need for your case.

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 for in the 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.

Why moving out is the biggest mistake in a divorce?

You Can Damage Your Child Custody Claim One of the most significant ways moving out can influence your divorce is when it comes to child custody. If you move out, it means you don't spend as much time with your kids. Not only can this harm your relationship, but it can also damage your custody claim.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce?

Assets that you have built up or acquired during the period of marriage are known as matrimonial assets or marital assets. These typically include property, pensions, savings, personal belongings, and cash in the bank.

What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer?

Retainers are the fees that a lawyer can charge you upfront to represent you in your court case. Depending on the complexity of your case and the profile of the attorney you’re hiring, you can expect to pay $1,000 or more on just the retainer fee. Many, however, will more than likely charge somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000.

What do you want your divorce lawyer to be like?

There is no doubt that this is a very trying time in the life of your family. Things are changing and you don’t necessarily know what the outcome will be. Helping you through this hardship is part of your divorce lawyer’s job, and you want to work with someone who is willing to take the time to get to know you and your case first and foremost.

What is the first consultation?

The initial consultation is a great opportunity to get a “feel” for the attorney and determine whether he or she is a good fit for you. Asking questions can help you gauge the attorney’s competence and whether you will get along well.

What to discuss at the end of a lawyer meeting?

Towards the end of the meeting, the attorney will discuss the fees charged for his or her services. The attorney should divulge his or her hourly rate as well as the amount of the initial retainer and how often you will be billed for services.

What are the issues that a divorce attorney will discuss?

After gathering information about your case, the attorney will discuss any potential issues that you may face during the divorce, such as custody and parenting time. Financial aspects will also be discussed, including child support, alimony, equitable distribution, college tuition, real estate, debts and other assets.

What information do divorce attorneys need?

Along with the details of your case, the divorce attorney will also gather some basic personal information, including your: address, phone number and email address. The attorney will also want to gather background information, which may include:

What is the purpose of a divorce consultation?

The main purpose of the consultation is to discuss your case. Essentially, you are having a conversation with the lawyer about your pending divorce, and you should be the one doing most of the talking.

How to get divorce information?

Along with the details of your case, the divorce attorney will also gather some basic personal information, including your: address, phone number and email address. The attorney will also want to gather background information, which may include: 1 The date of the marriage 2 Employment information of both spouses 3 Names and ages of the children 4 Income information, including assets and debts 5 Whether or not there was a prenuptial agreement in place

Preparing For The Free Consultation With A Divorce Lawyer When Filing For Dissolution

Real quick note, most states use the terms divorce and dissolution interchangeably, but they essentially mean the same thing. If you are looking for statute or code for divorce and not finding it, you may want to try searching for dissolution of marriage when looking for more about the law at times.

Some Core Things To Give Thought To, And Perhaps Discuss With A Lawyer During The Free Divorce Consultation Are

Mandatory Disclosure or Required Disclosures- though the terminology will be different from state to state. Most states require a collection of documents at a minimum to be exchanged between the parties when the divorce process is adversarial meaning contested as opposed to uncontested which will be touched on later in this material briefly.

Legal Fees At The End Of The Free Divorce Lawyer Consultation

It all comes down to money at the end of the day. Some people will be going to free divorce consultations with no money to hire a lawyer in the hope of finding one who will work for free and while this is technically possible. And in some circumstances a law firm will where there is the opportunity to recover fees from the other spouse.

Uncontested Versus Contested Divorce, And How It Affects You

An Uncontested divorce is simply one where neither spouse is contesting the agreement to dissolve the marriage. In essence, it’s a settled dissolution where both spouses have agreed as to how the issues of property division, alimony, child support and child custody and the like is to be handled and awarded.

How To Find A Free Consultation Divorce Attorney Near Me

Finding a free consultation divorce attorney near you, is quite easy in my opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions About A Free Consultation With A Divorce Lawyer

Below are some questions I’ve heard or found that I believe answering will help a lot of folks who might have some needless concerns or misconceptions about speaking with a licensed legal professional. A consultation is an opportunity for both lawyer and lay person who discuss the facts and circumstances that have brought them together.

Free Divorce Forms By State

I in no way recommend or warranty any of these forms for their fitness. I am merely telling you they exist and would only review them for the purposes of preparing for a free consultation with a divorce lawyer. Where I couldn’t find state provided resources I linked to a legal aid group that I found.