What To Expect When You See A Divorce Attorney
If your marriage appears beyond repair, you're probably overwhelmed with decisions about your future. Even though you haven't definitely settled on divorce yet, it's still a good time to talk to a divorce attorney such as Sarah J. Liddy Attorney At Law. You can make an initial consultation with no obligation to go ahead with a divorce. The attorney will answer all the questions you have about legal proceedings and child custody, so you can get a better grasp on whether divorce is right for your family. Here are some things your attorney will discuss with you during your first visit.
Finances And Assets
While you don't need to bring detailed records on your first visit, you'll still need to give the attorney an accurate depiction of the amount of money and assets you have. This includes things such as savings, investments, bank accounts, cars, houses, income, and anything else of value. Once your attorney has this basic information, he or she can give you a general idea of how it would probably be divided if you divorce your spouse.
Children
Discussing your children will be more complicated since many factors come into play, such as ages, health concerns, emotional or mental problems, and their preferences. Where your children live before you divorce is important too. If you decide to go ahead with the divorce, your attorney may advise you on the best way to position yourself in case there will be a custody battle. For example, you may not want to move out of the house before your divorce, because then you may have to fight harder to get your kids back.
Reasons For Divorce
While it may be embarrassing or difficult to discuss your failed marriage, it is very important to be honest with your attorney from the start. If there are ugly details about infidelity, alcoholism, or domestic abuse, they will come out eventually, so your attorney needs to prepare for the best way to handle them. Go to your first visit ready to reveal all the reasons you feel the need to divorce your spouse.
Personal Information
Even though you're not ready to file for divorce at this point, you still need to provide real details during your visit. It's doubtful an attorney will speak to you if you want to remain anonymous. You'll need to give your real name and identifying information, along with information about your spouse and kids. One reason this is necessary is so the attorney can turn you away if there is some conflict of interest, such as your spouse already being a client.
The Process
One of the most important things the attorney will discuss with you is how divorce proceedings work, so you understand what to expect from start to finish. While the attorney can't guarantee the outcome of the divorce, he or she can give you an idea of how child custody should work, as well as what you can expect when it comes to the division of property. Of course, your spouse will play a big role in the course of your divorce. If your spouse is bitter and vengeful, your divorce will be much more complicated.
Knowing what to expect should give you peace of mind, even if you decide not to proceed. At least you'll know the option exists for you in the future. In fact, once you know what to expect, you may find it wise to delay filing for several months. That way, you can get your finances and other family matters structured to give you a better outcome in the divorce settlement.