How Do I Prepare For A Divorce Consultation?

How Do I Prepare For A Divorce Consultation?

To be well prepared for a divorce consultation: 

  1. Identify your goals
  2. Write a summary of the case
  3. Prepare a list of questions
  4. Bring along a few important documents
  5. Be truthful, open, and stick to facts

Experienced and reputed divorce attorneys offer one free legal consultation to a potential client. Typically, a divorce consultation is a sales session that lasts about 20 minutes, and it can help you decide if the attorney is efficient enough to handle your case. So, as the time is of the essence, you need to be well-prepared and know what exactly to ask – and to be well-prepared, you need to:

1. Identify Your Goals

Determining your divorce goals depends on the circumstances of your case, and depending on what is going on around you, you need to prioritize things. Here is a list of common goals you can pick and choose from:

  • To focus on immediate closure because you have been in an abusive marriage
  • To save your children’s mental health from harm by keeping them away from divorce-related acrimony, and provide them the same standard of living that they enjoyed during the marriage period
  • To get primary child custody
  • To get at least $ ____as child support (based on your estimate), in case you are chosen as the custodial parent
  • To ensure that the other parent shares the responsibility of raising the kids and pays adequate attention to all their physical and emotional needs
  • To ensure that the other parent is supervised or denied child custody because he/she is not an ideal parent
  • To live in a home that has the conveniences and space that your marital home did
  • To at least maintain the same standard of living that you enjoyed during the marriage period
  • To be financially secure
  • To get a fair share of the marital property and ensure that your separate property stays separate
  • To get a settlement amount that will help secure your future
  • To resolve the divorce in a dignified manner, irrespective of what has happened in the past
  • To make your spouse pay for the lying, cheating, or abuse that he/she indulged in during the marriage

And so on. Prioritize your goals and state them briefly when the consultation begins so that your attorney is aware of the outcome you desire.

2. Write A Summary

Summarize your divorce case and include basic details such as names of spouses and children, employment details of spouses, monthly income of the family, phone numbers, SSNs, email IDs, ages/dates of birth, children from a prior marriage, and the date on which you or your spouse physically separated. Also, write (briefly) why the marriage did not work.

This summary helps your divorce attorney become aware of all the parties (including the children) involved and the complications that led to the divorce. You can explain the details verbally during the consultation if time permits. Once the attorney is aware of your goals and has the case summary, he/she will be in a better position to guide you throughout the divorce process.

3. Prepare A List Of Questions

You can ask a few questions related to your case. Here are a few examples for you to pick and choose from:

  • Who will handle your case? What are the firm’s processes?
  • How will key developments be communicated to you?
  • Can you contact your lawyer on a 24/7 basis?
  • How much alimony can you expect to get?
  • Can you get primary child custody?
  • How much child support will you receive or have to share with the other parent?
  • Will you get a 50/50 share of the marital property despite the laws followed by your state?
  • Do you need a forensic accountant to discover hidden assets?
  • How long will your divorce case take?
  • What kind of settlement are you looking at?

Write down the questions as they apply to your situation.

4. Bring Along A Few Important Documents

Remember that there is not much you can discuss in a legal meeting that lasts about 20 minutes. So, chances are high that your documents will not be examined by the lawyer during the divorce consultation. In any case, keep the following documents handy:

  • Marital property and debt documents
  • Separate property documents
  • IRS tax returns
  • Bank statements
  • Prenuptial agreement, if one exists
  • SSNs, passports, children’s birth certificates

5. Be Truthful, Open, And Stick To Facts

Finally, be honest and straightforward during the consultation. Do not spin facts to turn them in your favor – just state the facts and leave their interpretation to your attorney. Also, be frank about what outcome you desire from the divorce, and be open if the attorney says that the law may not grant your wishes. 

Typically, the consultation will help you judge the attorney’s experience and effectiveness, based on which you may decide to hire him/her.

Protect Your Money And Your Family

We remove fear associated with divorce, protect your money & maximize time with your kids!

We're here to help. Let's determine your best options.

Call Us 24//7 at 801-685-9999 to Speak with a Live Representative

Utah Divorce FAQs
Top 100 Divorce Blog
What Clients Are Saying…
BrownLaw icon
Excellent
Brown Family Law
Based on 969 reviews
David and Dani were very helpful and made my case as stress free as possible.
Great Team. Efficient and smooth process. Excellent communication. Thank you David Hunt.
I’m so grateful for attorney Nicholas Schwarz and paralegal Carren Leavitt at Brown Family Law. From day one, they were ready to work with me immediately, making my case feel like a top priority. Their organization is exceptional, every detail was handled with care and efficiency. Most importantly, their commitment to communication stood out. They kept me informed every step of the way, answered questions promptly, and made sure I fully understood my options.

If you want a legal team that is proactive, organized, and truly dedicated to their clients, I highly recommend Nicholas and Carren at Brown Family Law.
They got my dovorce going and stayed in contact with me every week. Every step of the way anytime I had questions they were answered fast. They made it so much easier.
Clay was great to work with! He was very willing to explain everything I needed to know and helped me understand the options on my case. Very easy to work with.
Jennifer and Dani, as well the rest of the team went above and beyond when it came to my case.
I would highly recommend ‘Brown Family Law’.
My experience with them was exceptional.
Alija
Loved working with Daniel and the whole team. Great service.
Marco and his team at Brown Family Law have created nearly the perfect system for getting divorced in Utah. From the initial intake, to gathering all of the necessary documentation, to the client communication in between. There is so much work that goes into getting divorced, but with Marco and his team you'll always know where you are in the process and what happens next, which is such a comfort. Would highly recommend.
I would give them 10 stars if I could. Clay was professional and super organized. He took the time to explain everything. I would highly recommend him for any family law needed. Melanie was a godsend. She not only kept me continually informed of the progress, she sent texts of encouragement and support throughout the entire process. I would give her 100 stars for going above and beyond to make this experience less stressful. Her encouragement and genuine caring were comforting and calming. The entire staff at Brown Law are on your side and if you are lucky enough to get Clay and Melanie on your team you will not be disappointed. Thanks! Mack M.
Response from the owner:Wow, thank you so much. Melanie is great. Glad she helped you so well.
Nathaniel was an incredible partner throughout the divorce process. He was organized, responsive and respectful of my wishes while simultaneously giving me guidance and advice. I would recommend him to anyone.
yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7

Categories