Prepare and bring relevant documents to your consultation
Bringing important paperwork to your consultation will assist the attorney in getting an overview of your upcoming divorce proceeding. What issues do you foresee? If you are disputing with your spouse over spousal support, for example, it is important to bring your tax records and your income information to the appointment so the attorney can see who earns what and who is contributing financially to the marriage. If you have been to court with your spouse in the past, it is important to bring prior court orders with you, so the attorney can review the history of your case.
Think of questions you may have prior to the consultation
You have limited time with your prospective attorney, so thinking about and even writing down important questions before your appointment will help you make the most out of your time with the attorney.
Be honest
Your prospective attorney cannot get an accurate picture of your relationship and cannot advise you appropriately if you are not honest with him or her. Don’t be afraid to disclose issues such as DFYS/DCP&P involvement with your family or possible substance abuse issues. Your consultation is confidential and it is better for these issues to be brought to the attorney sooner, rather than later or have the issues be a surprise to your attorney.
Take notes
Your consultation is going to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and some of the information you receive may be new or unfamiliar to you. Writing down these key points during the consultation will help you remember them later on, and, will assist you with any follow-up questions that may arise.
Assess your comfort level with the attorney
You are interviewing this person as a possible advocate for you. Do you feel comfortable with him or her? Did the attorney convey confidence and experience? Are you confident that they listened to you and heard what is most important to you?
Taking a moment to relax and prepare for your consultation can assist you down the road, not only in selecting your new attorney, but also in helping you through the very difficult process of your divorce. If you haven’t already, please contact us to schedule your confidential consultation. Our experienced family law attorneys are ready and able to assist you in this process.