what to expect when you meet with a divorce lawyer for the first time

What happens at the first meeting with a divorce lawyer?

Aug 06, 2019 · You should expect to pay a retainer that could be partially refunded if it is not exhausted. During an initial meeting with a divorce lawyer, it’s not unusual for clients to bring a long list of questions. A good lawyer should address your specific questions, as well as those you may have not considered.

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

Feb 19, 2018 · FIRST: EXPECT A CONFLICT CHECK If the lawyer or the lawyer's firm has represented or consulted with anyone on the other side of the case, he or she may have a conflict and may not be able to represent you. If you have spoken with a divorce attorney about your matter, that attorney may be prevented to talking to your spouse about your matter.

What should I look for when hiring a divorce attorney?

You should expect the attorney to request a detailed client information sheet, which contains all the necessary information an attorney needs without extra phone calls or emails to the client. Because the attorney depends on the accuracy of the information you provide, it's important to answer the attorney's questions and questionnaires honestly and completely.

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer on my first meeting?

Dec 14, 2018 · This first meeting is crucial to the process of divorce in Texas. 1. Relax. Meeting with a complete stranger to discuss something as intimate as divorce is understandably a stressful experience for many people. It’s important to understand that divorce lawyers are professionals who work with people in your situation on a daily basis.

Attorneys Should Make Their Clients Feel Comfortable

Many, though not all, divorcing clients experience a varietyof emotions when their marriage ends, such as fear, anger, hurt, anxiety oreven depress...

Clients Should Make Sure Their Attorneys Are Competent

If you’re going through a divorce and working with anattorney, make sure the attorney you’ve chosen to speak with is experienced andcompetent. Befo...

What Should Happen at The First Meeting?

This will depend on what’s happening in the divorce case. In some cases, divorce papers have already been filed, while in other cases, the spousesh...

Is The Meeting Confidential?

Yes. Sometimes, spouses aren’t completely sure that theywant a divorce, but want to know what they can expect if they go forward. Allattorney-clien...

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 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 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.

1. Relax

Meeting with a complete stranger to discuss something as intimate as divorce is understandably a stressful experience for many people. It’s important to understand that divorce lawyers are professionals who work with people in your situation on a daily basis.

2. Be Prepared to Ask Questions

During your first meeting with your lawyer, he or she will undoubtedly have many questions for you about your situation. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that your initial meeting is also an opportunity for you to ask your attorney questions.

3. Gather Important Financial Documents

You should bring basic financial documents to your first meeting in order to allow your attorney to get a basic overview of you and your spouse’s assets and liabilities. These are fundamental when discussing property division in a Texas divorce. Examples of the documents that you may want to bring in include:

4. Be Ready to Discuss Personal Details about Your Life

Perhaps one of the most difficult things about your first meeting with a Houston divorce lawyer is the fact that you’re going to discuss details of your personal life that you may not be comfortable discussing with a friend, much less someone you’ve never met.

5. Make a List of Your Goals In Divorce

Finally, it’s important to communicate your goals to your attorney. For example, if you really want the house, it’s essential that your attorney knows that fact when he or she starts developing a negotiation or litigation strategy.

1. Be yourself in the meeting

You are allowed to feel and express emotion because a divorce is an emotional process. Some lawyers have difficulty with emotion. Those lawyers often practice anything but family law.

2. Be organized

While your first meeting with a divorce lawyer will be filled with you providing details, answering questions, and trying to absorb sometimes complicated legal rules while trying to assess the lawyer’s personality, there are things you can do in advance that may help move this meeting ahead more smoothly.

3. Know your goals for the divorce

When you go into this first lawyer meeting, it benefits you to be prepared, but that preparation should focus on you, your situation, needs, and goals. If you are prone to investigating divorce processes online, be wary of what you read.

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 ...

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 an interview – a way for you to decide if this is ...

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Is The Meeting Confidential?

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