what to take to first meeting with divorce lawyer

Top 5 Tips for Your First Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer

• FIRST: EXPECT A CONFLICT CHECK If the lawyer or the lawyer's firm has represented or consulted with anyone on the other...
• SECOND: EXPECT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION In order to evaluate your case, your attorney will need to know background...
• THIRD: EXPECT TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT You should have an idea of what your goals...

Full Answer

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

handouts—divorce clients may have difficulty concentrating or remembering everything a lawyer says during a meeting. It's helpful for the attorney to provide pen and paper for notetaking or handouts that include the topics discussed during the meeting.

What happens at the first meeting with a divorce lawyer?

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. In some cases, clients hire lawyers after filing for divorce (or receiving divorce papers).

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

Your first meeting with your attorney is your chance to allay your worst fears – you should ask whatever questions you have. You have an attorney-client privilege with your lawyer, so ask away! It may be helpful for you to read through our frequently asked questions about divorce, custody, alimony, and more.

What should I look for when hiring a divorce attorney?

Then make sure your attorney has the know-how to handle the complicated financial analysis that is sure to be a major part of your case. A complex divorce may require an attorney who has practiced law for several years. On the other hand, if you have a simple divorce (no children or assets), a younger attorney may meet all your needs.

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

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

What is the first thing to do when considering a divorce?

Top 10 Things to Do Before You File For a DivorceNever Threaten to Divorce Until You Are Ready To File. ... Organize Your Documents. ... Focus on Your Children. ... Make Sure You Have Three Months of Financial Resources. ... Obtain the Best Legal Advice You Can Get. ... Make Sure You Have Available Credit.More items...

How do you prepare to talk to a lawyer?

Prepare For Your ConsultationBring all documents. Make copies of all the documents you have collected regarding your case and give these copies to your lawyer.Have notes ready. ... Dress for success. ... Be honest. ... Talk about costs. ... Ask your lawyer questions. ... Understand all documents you sign. ... Keep your own files.More items...

How do I prepare for a divorce case?

Divorce ChecklistConsider Whether You Can Resolve Your Divorce Without Court. ... Consider Whether You Need to Hire a Lawyer. ... If You Have Minor Children, Prepare for the New Parenting Arrangement. ... Collect Marriage Documents. ... Compile Important Financial Documents. ... Gather Other Essential Documents. ... Take Steps to Separate Your Life.More items...

What a woman should do to prepare for divorce?

9 Critical Steps Women Should Take To Prepare For DivorceGather your financial records. ... Open a Post Office Box. ... Start putting money away for legal and other professional fees. ... Open a new checking and savings account. ... Open new credit cards in your name only. ... Get a copy of your credit report.

How long does a divorce take?

On average, it takes 12 months to complete a divorce, from filing the divorce petition to finalizing the judgment. If the case goes to trial, the average time is about 18 months. The average cost of divorce in 2019 was $12,900, which includes $11,300 in attorney's fees and about $1,600 in other expenses.

What do you wear to meet with a lawyer?

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.

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

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.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce settlement?

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.

How do I protect myself financially in a divorce?

How to Financially Protect Yourself in a DivorceLegally establish the separation/divorce.Get a copy of your credit report and monitor activity.Separate debt to financially protect your assets.Move half of joint bank balances to a separate account.Comb through your assets.Conduct a cash flow analysis.More items...•

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...•

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 happens at your first meeting with a lawyer?

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. In some cases, clients hire lawyers after filing for divorce (or receiving divorce papers).

What should I expect from my first attorney meeting?

Every attorney hopes that clients will leave their first attorney meeting feeling that the attorney heard and understood their concern and that their lawyer is tuned in to their specific needs. They should also view their lawyer as experienced, competent, and accessible—someone who can guide them through the stressful time ahead.

What is alimony homework?

At the end of the first meeting, clients generally leave with homework, which includes learning as much as possible about the couple's finances in terms of assets, liabilities, and ongoing expenses.

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.

Can a spouse tell if they want divorce?

Yes. Sometimes, spouses aren't completely sure that they want a divorce but want to know what they can expect if they go forward. The law protects all attorney-client communications, and a client's right to privacy is absolute, so divorce clients shouldn't have to worry about their spouses finding out.

Can a divorce lawyer have children?

On the other hand, if you have a simple divorce (no children or assets), a younger attorney may meet all your needs . You can check with the state bar association to determine how long the attorney has practiced law in your state.

What is the first meeting you have with a divorce attorney?

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.

What to do before a divorce meeting?

Before your first meeting remember the 4Ps. Preparation prevents poor performance. As a matter of fact, remind yourself of the 4Ps throughout the divorce process. Before your first meeting, you need to prepare two documents if at all possible. One is simple biographical information– your full name, address, phone numbers, place of employment, ...

How many pages should a divorce narrative be?

If you have decided to file a divorce, or your spouse has filed a divorce against you, your narrative needs to be more detailed — probably three to 10 pages . The next group of items that you will need to bring to your first meeting with you attorney is financial information.

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.

Do you know if you are going to get divorced?

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.

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.

Can an attorney meet with you privately?

An attorney will meet with you privately or may ask your permission to have an assistant sit in on the meeting. Anything you tell your attorney or the assistant will be kept private due to the "attorney-client privilege," and as a result, you don't have to worry about your spouse finding out what you discussed.

Should I leave a divorce consultation?

Ultimately, a good attorney will simpli fy your divorce, not complicate it.

Can a divorce lawyer represent you?

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.

Can a divorce lawyer tell you the outcome of a divorce in Michigan?

A divorce attorney that does not tell you the POTENTIAL outcomes of the above is either too inexperienced or is afraid to tell you the truth, especially if it is a type of outcome that might not work in your favor. However, you need to be concerned if a Michigan divorce lawyer GUARANTEES you a specific result.

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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