What to Expect During an Initial Consultation with Your Divorce Attorney

Despite divorce being somewhat common in our society, most people are understandably unsure of how to prepare for it. Whether you are the one filing for divorce or the one receiving the divorce paperwork, scheduling an initial consultation with your divorce attorney will allow you to become more familiar with the divorce proceedings.

So, what should you expect during an initial consultation with your divorce attorney?

First and foremost, an initial consultation is a time for your attorney to get to know you, your situation, and what your needs are. To ensure you don’t miss any crucial information during this introduction, you should bring any legal paperwork related to your marriage. For example, separation agreements, previous legal proceedings involving you or your spouse, birth certificates of your children, or a prenuptial agreement can help your divorce attorney decide what next steps to take. Additionally, providing financial documents may be beneficial for your attorney to get an understanding of you and your spouses’ separate and combined financial positions.

Although you may spend a lot of time answering questions during an initial consultation, it is important that your questions are answered as well. It’s unlikely that your divorce attorney will be able to layout the exact outcome of your divorce, but he/she will be able to walk you through the common issues that may arise during the divorce process. For example, your divorce attorney will guide you through your state’s and county’s specific rules and laws over divorce proceedings. For example, Shelby County has different local rules than Rush County, and those local rules can have an impact on the way your divorce case proceeds. Additionally, you may have questions about custody, child support, spousal support, or even division of property.

At the end of your consultation, you and your attorney may talk about the financial logistics of taking on your case, which route is most suitable for your situation (i.e., litigation or collaborative mediation), and a tentative timeline that lays out the next steps for the divorce proceedings. However, the most important part of an initial consultation is that your concerns and expectations are understood by your divorce attorney and that you feel comfortable and confident in selecting a divorce attorney

No matter what stage you are in for your divorce process, it is not too late to schedule an initial consultation with a divorce attorney. Contact the Shelby County divorce lawyers at McNeelyLaw today at (317) 825-5110 to talk to an experienced divorce attorney who can help you navigate through this process.

This McNeelyLaw LLP publication should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion of any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own lawyer on any specific legal questions you may have concerning your situation.