Unfortunately, divorces are a frequent thing in our culture, but no one prepares us for when or how they occur. However, although they happen regularly, and more than 40% of marriages in the US end up in divorce when someone finds himself for the first time in such a position, they are helpless, bewildered, and devastated and have many questions.
The first step for those going through a divorce is to identify a lawyer in their region who is knowledgeable with all of the state's laws and processes. For example, suppose you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are both living in Colorado. In that case, you should know that Colorado is strictly a no-fault divorce state meaning that you should seek skilled representation from local accomplished divorce specialists, like the lawyers from Johnson Law Group, to get the representation you deserve from experts who'll do everything for you to get a fresh start.
Once you discover the lawyer you like, you should schedule a consultation. In this article, we'll highlight the most important things you need to know to prepare for your initial consultation with a divorce attorney.
Gather Your Personal Information
There's a lot going on and a lot to worry about, so it's easy to forget to ask about minor details. However, a divorce lawyer will require all of the fundamental facts about your case at your initial meeting such as:
General information about you and your partner:
- Names
- Addresses
- Phone Numbers
- Place of work
- SSN
Also, you should collect documents like taxes for the last several years, bank statements and accounts, and of course be prepared to give your lawyer information about your living situation and finances.
Furthermore, if there is any evidence that might be used to incriminate you or your spouse and is linked to the divorce, your attorney must be aware of it beforehand. This might include social media posts, messages, pictures, videos, or notes containing evidence of cheating or violence.
Basically, during your first meeting, you should bring everything you think would be important for your lawyer to find out, and as much information as possible about you and your situation.
Make A List Of Questions
There’s no doubt you will have a million questions in your head to ask your lawyer. Write them down and bring them up during the initial consultation with your divorce attorney. These might be broad inquiries or particular concerns pertaining to your situation.
Common inquiries include the expense of divorce and the length of the divorce procedure. It is critical to have a broad time period as well as an understanding of the financial investment. But be aware that both of these are very dependent on the circumstances of your situation and vary from case to case. The more difficult and complex the case, the more expensive and time-consuming it becomes.
During your initial appointment, you can also discuss any other issues. You can talk about child custody, property and debt split, and other issues. Bring these issues up if you are concerned about retaining assets obtained before the marriage or maintaining a stake in a joint business.
Talking to a divorce attorney during the first appointment often takes some of the unknown out of the process. This can help relieve tension and give you a better idea of what to expect in the coming days.
Decide What Outcome You Want From The Divorce
Your lawyer cannot assist you if they don’t understand what you want from your divorce. It is critical to give this careful consideration ahead of time. Maybe all you want is for it to be finished and done with. That's all right. However, because divorce might have a significant influence on your life in the future, take your time thinking this through.
For instance, if you have children, decide how you want your parenting plan to appear. Do you want complete custody, regular visits, or just once in a while? Or if you have a large amount of common property, consider how you want to split it. Do you want the marital house, a certain car, or a sentimental item?
Remember that knowing what you want allows lawyers to devise the best divorce strategy for you.
Final Thoughts
The initial consultation gives you the chance to get your questions answered and it provides an opportunity to make sure that a divorce lawyer is a good fit for you and your case. The most important thing is to be prepared and to have in yourself all the things that you think will be of great help for the further course of the process.
