2 Questions To Ask During Your Initial Consultation With A Family Lawyer To Discuss Your Divorce

If you are planning to file for divorce, it does not matter whether the separation from your spouse is mutually agreed upon or one-sided. You will need to hire an attorney to help you with the filing process, as well as assist you with navigating the court proceedings.

During your first consultation with the attorney, along with reviewing any custody goals and desired asset divisions, you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Below are a couple of questions you should ask during your first meeting with a family lawyer to discuss your upcoming divorce.

1. How Does the Divorce Process Typically Proceed in Your State?

One question you should ask during your consultation has to do with the divorce process in your particular state. While the overall proceedings typically have many similarities, there may be some details or steps you may need to follow.

For example, if you have children, attending mediation is often an integral step before your custody hearing goes to court because it gives you and your former spouse a chance to come up with an amicable agreement. However, your state may also require that you both attend counseling or parenting classes as part of the divorce process. The attorney can let you know what laws pertain to you and your former spouse's situation.

2. Does the Lawyer Anticipate Any Potential Problems with Your Divorce?

Another question you should ask comes after you have described the events leading up to and surrounding the divorce. Once you have given the attorney your side of the story, you should ask them if they anticipate any potential problems with your divorce.

For example, if you have a large number of assets that were obtained before and during your marriage, dividing up the property may require more time before the divorce goes through. The attorney can pinpoint and discuss these possible issues to give you a heads-up on what to expect.

When meeting with a divorce lawyer for the first time, part of the meeting will be to lay out what will happen during the process, depending on the laws and procedures of your state. You will also be given the opportunity to tell your story about events leading up to and surrounding the divorce to give the attorney an overview of the situation as well as allow them to pinpoint any possible issues. If you are ready to set up an initial consultation, contact a family law attorney in your area to make an appointment.

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