How to Prepare for Your First Meeting

It is important to be prepared for your first meeting with your attorney. The first meeting is an opportunity for you and your attorney to get to know one another, review the facts of the case, and determine if you will be a good "fit" for one another.

To prepare for your first meeting:

Make a List of Questions – Bring a list of questions for the attorney. Remember, you are "interviewing" him/her as much as you are being "interviewed" about your case. Consider asking questions about:

• The attorney's divorce law experience
• How he/she charges for services and for what
• How you will be expected to pay for services
• What his/her philosophy is on divorce and litigation
• What his/her initial thoughts are on your case
• Whether anyone else in the office will be working on your case and if you can meet those individuals
• How the attorney interacts with clients

Create a Case "Fact Sheet" – Preparing a document that highlights the important facts of your case and sending it to the attorney for review ahead of time will help ensure your first meeting is as productive as possible. A list of possible information to include:

• A relationship "timetable" – when you married and the events that led up to the decision to divorce
• When you or your spouse served divorce papers (if applicable)
• Information on your children
• Information on former marriages and divorces (if applicable)
• Key issues of the divorce – your custody concerns, complex property issues, business ownership issues, etc.
• "Skeleton issues" such as physical or sexual abuse, criminal records, drug or alcohol abuse, etc.

Gather Important Documents – Many attorneys provide potential clients with a "client intake form" to be completed before meeting for the first time. The amount of information and documents needed is often overwhelming. The best thing to do is to do everything a little bit at a time. Documents you will be asked to gather include:

• A copy of your marriage and birth certificates
• Social security and driver's license numbers
• Copies of your tax returns from the last three years
• Copies of your last three pay stubs
• A certified copy of the divorce decree from any previous marriages
• A copy of any marital contracts like a prenuptial agreement
• Dates and information on any separations, reconciliation attempts, or marriage counseling
• Education and employment information
• Information on your children
• Household income information
• Banking information, including saving and checking account information
• Investment information
• Pension information
• Real estate holding information
• Information on any valuable household items, such as jewelry, antiques, artwork, etc.
• Information on all debts

It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with what to expect in the divorce process. Please review this information on our website to learn more about the divorce process and contact us to find out how we can help you with your family law needs.