Whether you and your partner are looking for the quickest way to divorce, or you have already taken your time to make the necessary preparations and did your research, you might have a few things left to take care of.
Many people who went through a divorce say that it can be incredibly time-consuming and complicated. Because of that, you should talk about it with a well-qualified lawyer who will be able to take a closer look at your divorce case.
The initial consultation is supposed to help you to plan everything out. However, that does not mean that you should come in unprepared. Something as simple as writing down a few questions that you want to ask can prove to be highly beneficial in the near future.
Do not worry if it sounds overwhelming! Here, you will find a short guide to initial divorce consultations. It will touch upon the documents that you need to prepare and what the consultation itself will look like, among other things. Check it out!
Book a Consultation
The divorce experts from www.survivedivorce.com say that the first thing that you need to do is to book a consultation with a lawyer of your choice. You are likely to have to pay a consultation fee, but quite a few lawyers offer free consultations.
The first meeting gives you an opportunity to see what your chosen attorney is like. After all, you will be going through a divorce, which is a challenging process. Instead of forcing yourself to work with someone who does not meet your expectations, it makes sense to go for a lawyer that you feel satisfied with.
Ideally, you should hire a minnesota family law attorney that specializes in the divorce process that you want to go with. For instance, if you are planning on an out-of-court settlement, it would be best to hire a divorce lawyer that specializes in out-of-court settlements.
Other than that, you should read up on what the divorce process is about. Do not worry about it that much, though. If you do not understand something, your attorney should be able to explain it to you in simple terms!
Prepare Your Financial Documents
Finances tend to be one of the biggest issues when it comes to a divorce. Because of that, you need to get your hands on your financial documents, including insurance information, bank statements, credit card statements, pension plan descriptions, retirement account statements, pay stubs, utility bills, mortgage statements, and tax returns.
If you are not able to gain access to particular documents, do not worry! Your divorce lawyer might be able to take care of it for you by issuing subpoenas to financial institutions, as well as contacting your spouse’s attorney.
It will be a time-consuming process, but putting in the effort to gather your documentation can save you from having to pay additional attorney fees and allow you to get the best legal advice possible.
What Should You Talk About?
If you have already prepared the necessary documentation, it is time for you to attend your initial divorce consultation. Treat it as an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the divorce attorney’s demeanor and personality. If you feel like the divorce attorney that you chose to book a consultation with will be difficult to work with, do not be afraid to look for a different one!
Your attorney will answer any questions that you might have, go through the documents that you prepared, and ask you questions related to your financial situation, criminal record, and marriage, among other things. Here is a list of questions that your attorney might touch upon!
- What brought your marriage to such a difficult point?
- Have you ever been arrested?
- Has your spouse ever been arrested?
- Do you have any financial problems?
- Does your spouse have any financial problems?
- How was the communication between you and your spouse?
- Do you have any children? If so, who is the primary caregiver?
- Who pays for your children’s education?
- Who pays for your children’s extracurricular activities?
- How much time do you spend with your children?
- How much time does your spouse spend with your children?
- If your spouse wants joint custody, will you agree to that?
You might find it difficult to answer a few of the questions listed here. However, it is crucial that you do, as it will help your divorce lawyer get a detailed overview of your marriage and come up with a detailed plan of action.
In Conclusion
To sum up, the initial divorce consultation gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the divorce process, see what a divorce attorney is like, and decide whether that divorce attorney will be difficult to work with.
On the other hand, the divorce attorney that you book a consultation with will be given a chance to gather the information needed to draw up a detailed plan of action, ranging from the basic information about your marriage to your financial situation. Be ready to answer detailed questions, try not to worry that much, and, in spite of everything that is going on around you, remember that a divorce lawyer is a seasoned professional who is eager to help you get through this tough time!
We are not lawyers and this is in no way intended to be used as legal advice . We cannot be held responsible for your results. Always do your own research and seek professional legal help.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.