Knowing what happens in your initial session with a divorce lawyer is a good piece of education. You are aware that your lawyer will maintain your confidentiality. Like how healthcare experts protect your privacy. Even then, it doesn’t necessarily make things any simpler. Talking to a stranger is not the point. It primarily stems from a fear of being judged.
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The fear leaves when a person visits a lawyer for advice. There are no judgments in your lawyer’s office. Attorneys will inquire about you, just like any other professional. Before the consultation, there would have been a phone call. The first meeting won’t involve discussing strategy with your lawyer. A case will develop. It will change in line with your goals and what the other party is doing. Timing, risks, support, and expense can all be discussed with your attorney. You’ll be discussing expectations.
Divorce is a very sensitive legal matter. It affects entire families. For many couples, it may be the first time they need to think about hiring a lawyer to protect their rights. You need a lawyer with expertise and in-depth knowledge. You also want one that has the right level of empathy for your predicament. Know what to expect from the consultation. Learn a lot about your attorney at your initial contact with him or her.
What to do before meeting your attorney for the first time?
The first consultation with a divorce attorney is crucial. This is your chance to judge the attorney’s skill and knowledge. You can use this as a time to set expectations for the divorce process. How frequently you will communicate by phone and email? How much it will cost? And, how your case will be handled in general.
The decision to file for divorce should be final before calling your attorney.
If you’re going to call a divorce attorney, the decision to file for divorce should be a done deal already. Don’t make the decision to file or not to file a divorce during your consultation with your attorney. Your attorney can’t make that decision for you. The decision to file for a divorce is a very personal one. Your attorney is not in a position to be advising you on your reasons to end your marriage.
Be clear about the outcomes or goals for your divorce.
Give your case some thought. Identify your primary and secondary divorce goals. It can be incredibly helpful to your divorce attorney. What matters most to you as the divorce process unfolds? For some, deciding what to do with the marital house is the most crucial matter to settle. Other people focus on child custody. Your divorce attorney will like to know just what you aim to accomplish. Your attorney can give you a straightforward and realistic assessment of your objectives. Your chances of success for each one. Maybe even helping you arrange the order of your objectives.
Put your marriage details in writing.
By writing down the essential details your lawyer will need, you can save a ton of time. Write details like your full name, address, phone number, and date of birth. Your email address and social security number should be included. Give the entire names, birthdates, and SSNs of your kids. Include the names, jobs, and yearly incomes of your spouse and you. Determine if either you or your spouse is a parent from a previous union. Include the dates of your marriage and the departure of either you or your spouse from the marital house.
Recall any related matters for discussion.
Every divorce situation is unique. Make sure your attorney is informed of everything. The partition of marital property is one of these issues. Other issues are child custody and child support. You also need to cover spousal support, and Alimony Pendente Lite (APL).
Your divorce attorney will be prepared to outline the legal process for each of those issues. What to expect on procedure and timeliness during your initial consultation. You ought to have a solid understanding of the various outcomes. Outcomes of the key processes in a divorce by the time you leave the meeting. Your attorney will explain the official procedure for resolving child custody problems. For instance, if you and your spouse are unable to agree on who will have physical custody of the minor children.
The processes of divorce are very challenging. It can cause intense emotions among those concerned. Having a support system around is so crucial during this time. It is advised that you bring a member of your immediate family to your consultation meeting. You can use this individual to listen, ask questions, and take notes.
What information to bring?
Compile and bring the necessary documentation to your initial meeting. Documents can help your attorney speed up the divorce process. Documents you will need will be depending on the many legal issues or circumstances.
Child Custody: Many variables will affect child custody. It may be useful to keep a record of your and your spouse’s work schedules. Declare your expectations for holidays and birthdays and any other pertinent information.
Child Support: If you have children, you need to talk about the cost of raising them. Gather the most recent pay stubs for you and your spouse. Include year-end W2 statements and the most current tax returns. A summary of the children’s extracurricular activities and their associated expenditures. Compile a list of the children’s medical bills and figures for tuition or daycare charges. Don’t forget health insurance premiums.
Spousal Support: Spousal support and APL are determined by the parties’ respective incomes. Take with you the most current tax returns, year-end W-2 paperwork, and pay stubs. Income is the whole amount earned, not simply from one primary source.
Division of Marital Assets: To fairly divide marital assets your attorney will need a list of assets. Your attorney needs ownership information. Their values on the date of the marriage. Their values at the time of acquisition if they did so, and their current values. This goes for homes and rental properties. Including retirement funds, stock brokerage accounts, bank accounts, automobiles, and personal items. The majority of items acquired during a marriage are regarded as marital property. These properties are subject to equitable distribution by the court. If you are unable to locate this information, your divorce lawyer will be able to get them. It can be obtained through legal discovery during the divorce process.
Debts and Liabilities: Along with the marital assets, you should also submit proof of your own and your spouse’s debts and liabilities. This will include loans for credit cards, mortgages, students, businesses, etc.
You should include copies of any court order or agreement. Any document that pertains to the parties involved. This could be the prenuptial agreement, custody arrangement, and divorce complaint if one has been filed.
Here’s a more detailed list of information or documents. You need to consider bringing other data or documents to your first meeting.
[ a ] Your spouse’s full legal name. If applicable, your spouse’s prior names.
[ b ] Information on how to reach your spouse and his or her lawyer;
[ c ] Information on the primary employer, profession, and earnings of your spouse;
[ d ] Other income streams your spouse has;
[ e ] Details about pension plan, health insurance, and benefits;
[ f ] Details on who owns your marital house, including the mortgage’s balance and your payment history;
[ g ] A list of your spouse’s assets, both jointly and individually; information on your indebtedness, both individually and jointly with your spouse;
[ h ] A history of a previous marriage;
[ i ] The ages of the children you and your spouse have together;
[ j ] Children from a previous marriage;
[ k ] Any prior history of misconduct or domestic violence; and
[ l ] Other information you believe might be pertinent to your case.
Don’t hold back from your attorney. If there is a document like an email or a text you think looks bad for you, let your attorney see it. Bring a calendar of events or a journal if it can help jog your memory about the timeline and events. The documents can seem personal. Your divorce attorney should make you feel at ease. Be comfortable sharing – it will help you and your attorney be ready.
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Goldman & Associates Law Firm is here to with information about Child Custody and Divorce in the State of Michigan.