Unfortunately, 22% of first marriages end within the first five years. Plus, divorce risk increases with time; by the time people reach their mid-50s, many have gone through at least one divorce already.
While you may have been happily married for years, there may come a time when your union isn’t blissful anymore. And despite talking through your differences and trying to work things out, the best outcome is probably for you to part ways.
No matter if it’s a tumultuous or amicable separation, a divorce consultation is always a good idea.
But what exactly happens during this meeting? Read on to find out.
Discussion of Your Situation
When you walk into the legal office, the divorce lawyer will want to hear an overview of your marriage. Other details they’ll want are your family dynamics and the reasons why you want a divorce.
It’s common for lawyers to ask for information about your spouse, children (if you have any), assets, debts, and any other relevant history. So to make things easier, jot these details down beforehand so you don’t forget anything important. This also ensures that you’re not caught off-guard by the attorney’s questions.
Exploration of Grounds for Divorce
Once they’ve heard everything you have to say, the divorce attorney will then draw upon their knowledge and experience. They’ll explain the divorce process in your jurisdiction, so they’ll discuss the steps involved, potential timelines, and the filing process.
Plus, did you know that there are different types of divorces? Your lawyer will go over these with you too, such as uncontested and contested divorces. They’ll also show you the implications of each.
Property and Asset Division
Next, the divorce lawyer will want to discuss your properties and assets, especially if they’re shared with your spouse. They’ll want to talk about your shared debts as well.
This can be a tricky area, so they’ll go into detail about how these things will be divided during the divorce, including your debts. It’s common for them to explain community property or equitable distribution laws and how they’ll apply to your particular situation.
Child Custody and Support
Do you have children with your spouse? Then the subject of child custody and support is extremely important to go over.
Even if your partner seems reasonable now, don’t just take their word for it if they agree to a 50/50 custody arrangement and say they’ll pay child support dutifully. You never know if they’ll change their mind suddenly and fight you on custody and support.
A good divorce attorney will talk about custody arrangements and child support considerations for your situation. They’ll help you understand the factors that courts consider when determining custody arrangements and child support obligations.
Alimony or Spousal Support
Whether you’re the breadwinner or the spouse who stayed at home or earned significantly less, alimony or spousal support will be a huge topic. Many people tend to underestimate their marriages and believe they don’t deserve anything after the divorce. So you may be surprised to learn that you may be entitled to these things.
If applicable, your attorney will discuss the possibility of seeking or paying alimony or spousal support. They’ll ensure that you understand the factors that courts consider when determining the exact amount and duration of either type of support.
Financial Disclosures
To make sure that the divorce goes as fairly as possible, you’ll need to provide financial disclosures. These are required by law if you end up going to divorce court, but even if you don’t go to court, it’s a great idea to have these done.
It’s likely that your divorce attorney will explain the importance of these documents. They’ll emphasize that it’s essential for you to provide accurate financial information.
That way, there’s a fair division of assets and support arrangements. Not to mention, it’s illegal to lie in court, so don’t try to change some numbers so things work out in your favor.
Legal Fees and Costs
After your divorce lawyer’s gone through all the essential details and answered any questions you may have, they’ll outline their fee structure. This will include things like:
- Consultation fees
- Retainer requirements
- Hourly rates
- Additional costs associated with the divorce process
Make sure you understand what each of these things are, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. For example, you should inquire about any potential hidden costs. This reduces the chances of you being surprised with extra fees at the end of everything.
Client-Attorney Relationship
During your divorce consultation, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to see whether the attorney is a good fit for your needs and communication style. Of course, you should’ve picked them based on what you’ve read, such as on hildebrandlaw.com. However, you don’t know if their in-person service is as outstanding as they say it is.
It helps to come with a list of questions so you’re ready. Ask about their experience, approach to cases, and past successes. Not only do these questions tell you more about the legal professionals, but they also show how confident they are and how they talk to their clients.
Be Prepared for Your Divorce Consultation
A divorce consultation is never something you want to have. However, it’s definitely a meeting to consider if you’re having serious issues in your marriage and there doesn’t seem to be a way to resolve them positively.
The first step is seeing what lawyers can do for you and learning what the divorce process entails. When you’re better informed, you’ll feel more confident making a decision about the future of your marriage.
Do you want to read more law articles? Then keep browsing our blog page now.
