How to Prepare for Your First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney

Meeting with a divorce attorney for the first time can be one of the most important steps you take during the divorce process. Whether you’re planning to file or simply exploring your options, the more prepared you are, the more effective your meeting will be. This guide explains what to bring, what to ask, and how to evaluate your legal representation so you walk in with confidence—and walk out with clarity.

What to Bring to Your First Meeting

Proper documentation helps your attorney give accurate, specific advice. Consider organizing the following items in advance:

Income Documentation: Recent pay stubs, W-2s, or 1099s for both spouses.
Tax Returns: Federal and state returns from the past 2–3 years.
Bank Statements: Checking, savings, credit union, and online accounts.
Retirement & Investment Accounts: 401(k)s, IRAs, brokerage accounts.
Debt Records: Credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, or business debt.
Real Estate & Vehicle Records: Titles, deeds, mortgage balances.
Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements (if applicable): These are legally binding contracts in Utah and will directly impact asset division. [https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title81/Chapter3/C81-3-P2_2024090120240501.pdf]
Proposed Custody Arrangements: If children are involved, outline your proposed parenting schedule and any concerns.
Chronology of the Marriage: Include major milestones, issues, or incidents relevant to the case (e.g., separations, infidelity, abuse, financial decisions).

What to Ask During the Consultation

Coming prepared with thoughtful questions allows you to gauge the attorney’s experience and fit:

What percentage of your practice is dedicated to family law?/strong>
90% and above is what you’re looking for.
How long have you practiced family law in Utah?
Bonus points if they’ve handled cases in your specific district court.
What are the likely outcomes based on my situation?
While attorneys can’t promise results, experienced ones will give realistic expectations.
How do you handle communication and billing?
Understand how often you’ll get updates and whether billing is hourly, flat fee, or retainer-based.
What are the next steps if I decide to move forward today?
This ensures you know what your timeline looks like from filing to final decree.

How to Evaluate the Attorney

Beyond the content of the meeting, pay close attention to:

Listening Skills: Did they take time to understand your concerns before offering solutions?
Legal Expertise: Were answers clear, specific, and grounded in Utah law?
Empathy and Communication Style: You want a lawyer who not only advocates for you but also understands the emotional weight of your situation.
Organization and Preparedness: A good attorney will walk you through a plan of action—not just give vague advice.
Social Proof: Look at reviews to see what experiences previous clients had.

Remember: hiring a divorce lawyer is as much about trust as it is about credentials. Your case may last months or even years—make sure it’s someone you feel confident working with long-term.

Divorce is a personal journey—but you don’t have to go it alone. At Brown Family Law, we walk with you from day one. Come prepared, and walk out empowered.
Schedule your consultation today and get the clarity you need to move forward.

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Jesse Jensen

Jennifer and Dani did a wonderful job handling my case. The communication and accessibility were top notch.

Kim Rees

Brown Family Law is very professional. They use their phenomenal expertise to manage every case with care. I would highly recommend them.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Kim. Glad we could help.

Marsha Cumming

Very thorough and on top of dates and timing for various documents.

Brandon Roush

My attorney Andrew Christensen was great! He was very helpful while being realistic and upfront with me at the initial consultation. He did a great job of guiding me and answering any questions I had throughout the whole process. My paralegal Carren Leavitt was also very helpful. I appreciated her weekly check-ins, for the aid she provided, and the questions answered.

Sam Scholes

Clay Randle provided exceptional support and counsel. He was patient, knowledgeable, and thoughtfully addressed my many questions and concerns. Thank you very much!

Suzy Scheuermann (Suzy)

Paul and Dani were incredibly communicative, educational, willing to work with our unique circumstances, and took the whole process from complicated and overwhelming to simple. Highly recommend!!

Jared Stensrud

Nathaniel was very personable and listened. He is also incredibly knowledgeable, effective, and efficient. Brown Family Law is a pinnacle of law firms.

bjenness79

I highly recommend Nathaniel Garrabrandt and Brown Family Law. If you are going through a divorce and your parental rights are being falsely challenged they are a great option. Nathaniel and Brown family law are professional, very knowledgeable, and know how to navigate within the broken and biased Utah family law court system. They were highly communicative throughout the process. They can potentially save you a lot of time and money if lawfare is being waged against you.