Preparing to talk to a family law attorney can be an intimidating and overwhelming process. It’s easy to feel like there are so many issues you need to cover and have no idea where to begin. The first meeting is often the most difficult since you are just getting to know your attorney and figuring out of the partnership is a good fit. Here are some issues to be prepared to discuss at your first appointment with a divorce attorney.
Property division is the one issue that applies to all divorces. In cases where the couple doesn’t have many high-value assets or are already in agreement about how their property will be divided, it may be a fairly simple process. However, in cases of high-asset divorces or where there was a combination of marital and personal property, it can get much more complicated and require the experience of a family law attorney.
If the divorce involves children, this is likely to be the most difficult and time-consuming part of the process. These types of divorces often have to cover things such as child support, child custody, visitation schedules, who will pay for extra things such as sports or other activities and even grandparents rights. This is also one of the more contentious divorce issues, and if the two parties don’t agree on terms, it can take quite a while for the courts to come to a decision on the final court order. Other issues that may come into play include domestic violence, allegations of divorce and debt division.
When you go to your first meeting with your attorney, it’s important to be prepared with all of the documentation pertaining to any issues with your case as well. This will make it easier for the attorney to get a clear picture of your situation and help you understand your options moving forward.
Source: FindLaw, “Checklist: Issues To Discuss With Your Divorce Attorney,” accessed Jan. 06, 2016
