Atlanta Divorce Law Group offers all of our clients the chance to schedule an initial consultation with our team. This is the ideal time to share details about your case and evaluate if our attorneys and their experience are the right fit for you.
In addition to the discussion, there are documents and materials you should bring to this meeting. Learn how to prepare for your first meeting with a family lawyer and why it matters.
Before your first meeting with a family lawyer, you want to organize your documents. To maximize the value of your initial consultation, make sure you bring along a government-issued photo ID, such as your driver’s license or passport. You also want to have copies of all your financial records to leave with the firm. This list includes tax returns, recent pay stubs, and bank statements for all accounts, including retirement, investment, checking, and savings.
You should also include pension letters, mortgage information, vehicles, and documentation of all other debts. Marriage certificate, pre- or postnuptial agreements you signed, and existing custody, support, or restraining orders are also important to bring along. Your family law attorney would want to examine all of these important legal documents to ensure a fair and equitable division of assets and debts and to determine accurate child support or spousal support obligations.
Create a timeline by documenting key events in your relationship, including dates of marriage, separation, and significant disputes, to build a compelling case on your behalf. Now, clearly outline your desired outcomes, such as your ideal child custody arrangements, your desire to keep the marital home, or your spousal support expectations.
Now that you have identified your overall goal, it is time to prepare a list of questions for your attorney. Commonly, these inquiries can include:
These questions help you determine whether the attorney is a good fit for you.
In order for your family lawyer to advocate on your behalf, you must always be honest. Even if you feel embarrassed or guilty about a perceived wrongdoing. By providing complete and accurate information, your attorney is better equipped to anticipate challenges and devise a sound legal strategy.
Because you will be discussing potentially confidential information, if you schedule a virtual meeting, ensure you are in a private, secure location. Pick somewhere that you can speak freely and minimize distractions so you can focus solely on your case. Consider bringing a friend or relative for emotional support, if appropriate, and plan for the meeting to last around 30 to 45 minutes.
Now that you are armed with this guide to help prepare yourself for a meeting, it is time to schedule your initial consultation with Atlanta Divorce Law Group. We have the skills and experience to manage the most complex family law matters with compassion and understanding. Our firm is an unrivaled team devoted to solving challenges and providing value-based service to our clients.
Our experienced Atlanta, Georgia divorce and family lawyers understand that divorce may be a complicated, emotional time for you. Many important decisions need to be made that consider your current situation as well as your future.
An attorney can work to help you emerge from your divorce in a better financial, legal, and personal situation than you may have imagined. Call today to schedule a consultation.
