Meeting with a divorce attorney can be overwhelming and intimidating. Here are a few things to make the most of your initial consultation, so you can get the information you need to make the best decision for you and your children.
- Bring written questions. Get ready for the consultation by writing down questions you want the attorney to answer. This will organize your thoughts, so the attorney can address your specific needs. There are no stupid questions, so don’t be afraid to ask.
- Leave the kids at home. Do NOT bring children to a consultation. You will be talking about things that children should not hear, and your full focus is needed to take advantage of the attorney’s advice. Law firm waiting rooms are not child-friendly, let alone childproofed.
- Show up a few minutes early. This will give the staff time to verify your identity and get intake paperwork fille out. If you are late, the attorney may not have enough time to address all your concerns.
- Be completely honest. Lawyers are trained to deal with tough problems that can have dire consequences. The attorney-client privilege prohibits lawyers from revealing client confidences without permission. Your attorney can’t help you if you lie or hide bad stuff.
- Bring important documents. Your lawyer’s staff will often ask you to bring information or documents such as:
- Driver’s license (to verify your identity)
- Court records
- Social Security Numbers for everyone in the family
- Tax returns, W-2s, K-1s, and 1099s
- Recent paystubs
- Information about mental and physical health for everyone in the family
- Recent statements for bank accounts, investment accounts, and credit cards
- Cost of childcare or school
- Current balance of each outstanding debt
- Retirement statements
- Records related to child abuse investigations
