About to have a consultation with a lawyer for a possible divorce? It may help you to know in advance what kinds of questions the attorney will ask at your first meeting.
- Timing and certainty. Your attorney will want to know if you have made a firm decision to file or if you are only gathering information to help you later. If you do file, are there any special issues about the timing of the filing or service of the papers? Do you need to work around a holiday, family event, child’s birthday or out of town travel?
- Children. Are there minor children from this marriage? Have you thought about custody, visitation, child support and medical insurance for them? What is the day-to-day life of the children like now?
- Property & Debts. The attorney will ask you some general questions about the assets and debts of the marriage, and if either or both of you have any separate assets or debts.
- Special considerations. What issues that are specific to your family need to be discussed? Such issues may include planning for a special needs child, running/dividing a family owned business, planning for a senior parent who lives in the household, making provisions for pets or livestock, concerns for stepchildren who are not technically part of the divorce but are part of the picture, a bankruptcy or litigation that is pending or a current pregnancy. Every case is different and your attorney is there to help you.
- Protecting Yourself. If there is a potential for violence against people or pets, property destruction or wasting or assets, inform your attorney. Listen carefully to any information about how to protect yourself and what to do if things start to get out of hand.
