If you’re getting a divorce or are planning to get a divorce, you will likely be thinking about your first meeting with a divorce attorney. What paperwork should you bring with you? What questions should you ask? What questions will they ask you? You may feel unsure of what information you’ll need and what conversations you’ll have. It’s comforting to know that you are not the only person going through a divorce, and there are many others facing the same feelings.
Your meeting with a divorce attorney is confidential, so know that you can use that time to share personal details and ask important questions. Having the right person for your divorce is key, and you should feel comfortable with your choice. To help ensure your first meeting with a divorce attorney goes smoothly, below are some ways you can prepare yourself:
- Gather Information – Your lawyer will need your personal information such as your name, address, phone number, place of employment, date of birth, employment status, earnings information, etc. They will also ask about your assets and liabilities which can include many things such as cash, checking, savings accounts, 401K and/or retirement accounts, investments accounts, as well as your debts, credit cards, and mortgages. If you forget to bring something to the meeting, you can always provide it after the meeting.
- Write Down Your Goals – What kind of provisions do you want your divorce settlement to include and what would you like to get out of it? Write down your wishes and goals, and bring them to your meeting. Having this thought process started and documented can ensure your meeting with your divorce attorney goes smoothly and you don’t forget to mention anything important to you.
- Bring Your Questions – You may feel like most of your preparation is for the items you’ll be asked about, but you can also prepare a list of questions to ask the attorney. You may want to ask questions about child custody and spousal support. Anything that you want to know about divorce, your lawyer, or the law firm’s experience is worth asking about at this meeting, so feel free to bring these questions.
- Don’t Stress – Last, but not least, it’s important not to stress out. Your lawyer is on your side and is there to help you make wise decisions and serve as your strong advocate in court and in settlement negotiations. To help feel less anxious about your meeting, you can always call their law office and ask questions about how long the meeting will take, how much it will cost, and what information to bring.
Don’t forget that you are hiring an attorney to lead you through a life-changing event, and because of this, you should feel comfortable with the attorney that you choose. You should have the opportunity to explain your particular situation, ask questions, and outline your goals. If you are wondering what questions to ask before choosing the right attorney for you, reference our list of divorce attorney questions here.
The attorneys of Wilder Mahood McKinley & Oglesby, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have experience in divorce matters, including high net worth divorces, and have provided valuable legal counsel and representation in these and other family law matters since 1978. If you would like our lawyers to meet with you to discuss your situation and assess your options, contact us online or call our law firm at 412-261-4040.
FAMILY LAW SERVICES
Legal Separation
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Tax Issues
Fees
Adoption
Domestic Partnerships
Child Custody
Divorce
Family Support
