Historically, January tends to be one of the busiest months of the year for a divorce lawyer. Most clients have muddled through the holidays and go into the new year with a new perspective. Sometimes that means making major life changes, like divorce.
If you’re gearing up for your first conversation with a divorce lawyer, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
- Maybe you’re nervous, or anxious, or emotional— that’s ok. Even if you’ve been thinking about this meeting for a long time, having that first conversation can often be overwhelming. Take a deep breath and try to take in all of the advice you’re receiving.
- Come prepared, if you can. Potential clients often ask what they should bring to our first meeting. Personally, the more information you can give me, the better advice I can give you during that consultation. To the extent you can come with details of your financial situation: a list of assets/liabilities and information about the income and work history of you and/or your spouse, that is helpful. If you do not have access to this information, or you are not in a position to obtain this information- do not worry. We can still give you more general advice and work out details as time goes on.
- Knowledge is power. The more you can learn from an initial consultation, the better your chances of making well-informed decisions about your future. Go into the meeting with the expectation that you will learn something.
- Try to check your preconceived notions, google searches, and stories from family and friends at the door. Trust that you are going to speak to a professional who can opine on your case based upon the facts of your case. No two divorces are exactly the same, and to try to compare yourself to your coworker or cousin or best friend’s sister will simply set unrealistic expectations and end up frustrating you during the process.
- Undoubtedly, most people will ask how long the divorce process takes and how much it will cost. Be prepared to hear it depends. Every family has its own set of facts and each spouse has his/her own personality traits and agenda, the combination of which could drive the litigation. We can give you ideas as to how to make it more cost-efficient or expedited, but no one can make you any guarantees.
If you have any questions or if you want to schedule a confidential, initial consultation, please feel free to contact us at 973-533-1100.
