Tips on Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer for the First Time

Finding a Divorce Lawyer

Firstly, it is crucial to choose an lawyer suited to your case, i.e. one that usually handles divorces. Family law is a rather specialized area, and you should look for someone who has at least a few years of experience in it. 

Your very first contact with the lawyer will most probably be over the phone. It is vital that you understand that you cannot really ask them any specific questions about your case at this point. After all, you have not yet hired them, and they don’t know any details about your marriage. 

At this stage, you just look at whether you like the lawyer’s demeanor and whether you think you could work well together. If you do, you can ask for an in-person meeting. That is where you can actually present some aspects of the case to them and ask for advice. 

Lawyer can either hold these meetings for free, or they may charge an hourly rate. It depends from lawyer to lawyer. 

It’s Important to Come Prepared

During your first meeting, your divorce lawyer will have to ask you a lot of questions. These questions range from basic ones, such as the duration of your marriage, to complex ones like reviewing your properties or any debts. Thus, it is vital that you come prepared and have a ready answer for them. 

In addition, the first meeting is a great chance to ask any questions you may have about the process. Your lawyer will have a lot of experience, and they will know how to make you feel at ease as you discuss everything. You can bring any documents you think are essential for the case and go over them. 

Try to relax as much as possible. Don’t think of this meeting as anything too scary, but rather as an interview to check whether you and the lawyer can work together successfully. 

Something that can help put you at ease even further is the fact that the meeting is entirely confidential. So, even if you don’t hire the lawyer, all your info will not leave the room it was discussed in. All of that is due to the lawyer-client privilege, which mandates that the lawyer keep your information safe and a secret. 

What You Will Discuss In the Meeting

As we have already mentioned, this meeting is a chance for your lawyer to get acquainted with your case. The questions they will ask will mostly depend on how far along in the process you are. 

For example, some people are ready to file for divorce immediately. Such a decision means that they begin discussing legal proceedings and their prospects immediately. On the other hand, some are unsure whether divorce is the right choice and just need advice. 

A third option is that your spouse has already filed for divorce, and you want to know what comes next. Either way, you should be ready to discuss different aspects of your marriage in the meeting so that the lawyer can learn everything they need. 

You will talk about any children you may have, all properties you and your spouse own, and how you wish to divide it. It's important to remember that an lawyer can only give you legal advice. They will look at the case objectively and offer you an unbiased account of it. 

Still, all the major decisions will be up to you. You should consider all the advice and make the best choice for yourself. 

As you leave the meeting, you should feel like the divorce lawyer understands your case and your wishes fully. If they are willing to listen to you, answer all your questions carefully and patiently, and want a positive outcome for you, you should hire them. If not, you have to keep looking. 

Final Thoughts

The first meeting with your divorce lawyer can be stressful. However, if you come prepared and are open with them, the meeting can only be successful. 

Remember that you can always opt not to hire someone if they do not fit your needs and expectations. After all, a divorce lawyer should make the entire process easier, not more stressful and complicated.