Divorce can be a difficult, emotionally, and financially draining process, but having a knowledgeable and experienced divorce lawyer on your side can make a world of difference. To set your divorce process in motion, you can start by doing all the necessary research to find a reputable divorce lawyer. When you’ve done this, the next step is to visit website of the law firm to schedule a consultation with the lawyer.
Before the scheduled day of your initial consultation, it’s important to prepare all the necessary information and documents relevant to your divorce processing. In light of this, here are some of the key items to consider bringing to your initial consultation with a divorce lawyer; Learn how to apply for a spousal visa if you are married to a green card holder and live abroad.
Marriage Documents
Your original marriage certificate and any other documents related to your marriage are essential. So make sure to bring them to your consultation. These documents will help the divorce lawyer understand the legal framework of your marriage and the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
Documents for Personal Property and Marital Property
If you and your spouse own any property (i.e., a home, cars, jewelry, etc.), bring information related to it. This includes deeds, titles, and other documents. Also, bring any documents related to any marital debt, such as credit card statements, loan documents, and any other documents related to property or debt that was acquired during the marriage.
Pay Stubs and Tax Returns Documents
A pay stub is a document that shows how much your spouse earns and how much they have paid in taxes during the year. The pay stub will help your lawyer determine the amount of alimony or child support that one spouse can pay to the other. Also, endeavor to bring additional copies of the last two years of tax returns of both you and your spouse.
Both the pay stub and the tax return documents will help the lawyer understand the financial situation of you and your soon-to-be ex.
Documents of Investment
It is necessary to bring all documents related to your investments with you to your consultation with your divorce lawyer. This includes bank statements, stock portfolios, retirement accounts, and any other financial documents related to your investments. Having these documents on hand will help your lawyer gain a full understanding of your financial situation and help them provide the best advice for your specific circumstances.
Documents of Prenuptial Agreement
If you have a prenuptial agreement in place, be sure to bring it to your initial consultation. This is important as it can have a major impact on the division of assets and debts in a divorce. Your lawyer will need to review the document to make sure it is legally binding and that all of the necessary details are included.
Any Incriminating Evidence Against Your Spouse
If you have evidence of wrongdoing on the part of your spouse, don’t hesitate to bring them along for your initial consultation. This could include emails, text messages, or any other type of evidence that could be used to support your case. Be sure to bring copies of all documents, as your lawyer will need to review them.
List of Questions to Ask Your Lawyer
Make a list of any questions you may have for your lawyer so that you can get the answers you need during your initial consultation. Some of the questions you can pen down include;
- How long will my divorce case take?
- How often do you handle divorce cases?
- How often do you settle divorce cases out-of-court?
- Do you have any relationship with my spouse or my spouse’s divorce lawyer?
- How do you charge for your legal services?
- Who will handle my divorce case, you or another lawyer in your firm?
- How can I contact you to find out about the progress of my divorce proceeding?
You can also ask questions about the division of assets and debts, child custody and support, and any other concerns you have.
Copies of Any Other Important Documents
Bring copies of any important documents such as employment records, restraining orders, mortgage documents, and others. Having copies of these documents on hand will save time and provide your divorce lawyer with the information they need to provide the best possible advice.
These are some of the documents and information you should bring to your initial consultation with your divorce lawyer. By bringing all of these documents, you can ensure that your lawyer has all of the necessary information to determine a course of action.
