Going through a divorce can be complicated in many ways. A spouse may feel angry, sad, and stressed about the end of the marriage and the events that led up to the decision to divorce. If you're contemplating divorce or are ready to file, it is in your best interest to hire a competent divorce lawyer to assist you. Continue reading to learn more about preparing for the first meeting with your divorce lawyer and what to expect in their office:
Research the Lawyer
When you're getting divorced, it is essential to have good legal counsel to protect your interests. Prior to meeting with a divorce lawyer, take some time to do some research to learn more about them. One important thing to look for is complaints of professional misconduct filed with the state bar association-- you most likely don't want to work with an attorney who has had complaints filed against them.
It is also a good idea to find out what year they passed the state bar exam and how long they have been practicing family law. If your divorce is uncomplicated a divorce lawyer new to the field may be able to help you, but if you expect a battle over child custody or division of assets it is better to go with an attorney who has extensive experience. If you're interested in learning more, click here for info about your local divorce lawyer.
Review Issues Related to the Divorce
During your first meeting with a divorce lawyer, he or she will most likely have a lot of questions about your marriage, finances, and children. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. During the course of the meeting, your lawyer will most likely review the most common issues related to divorce, such as child custody, child support, division of assets and debts, and alimony.
If you are in an emergency situation, such as living with a violent spouse or one who is draining the joint bank account out of spite, your divorce lawyer can take steps to arrange a restraining order or get a court order to prevent your spouse from spending joint assets or racking up joint debt during the divorce proceedings.
Client Homework
After the first meeting with a divorce lawyer, most clients have some homework to do before meeting with their lawyer again. In most cases, this involves collecting documentation regarding a married couple's finances. Your lawyer will most likely ask you to collect tax returns, bank account statements, 401 (k) statements, credit card bills, and documentation of any debts that you and your spouse share. The more financial information your can provide, the better off you will be.
Share15 June 2017
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