What to Bring to Your First Meeting with Your Divorce Lawyer
Going through a divorce can be challenging because of how much emotion and stress is involved with such a life-altering decision. If you are going through a divorce, an experienced attorney can guide you and advocate for your interests. This can reduce the stress of the situation and help you get the best possible outcome in your case.
In order to help you achieve a good result, your divorce attorney will need to know all the details that are relevant to your split from your spouse. Therefore, you should bring the following types of documentation to your first meeting with your divorce attorney.
Financial documents
When going through a divorce, you will be splitting your assets, and the court will be considering your overall financial circumstances, so bringing all your financial records to your first meeting is essential. These documents can be any financial information you or your spouse has, such as tax returns, bank and retirement statements, credit card statements, loan statements, etc. This information will help your divorce attorney determine your assets, property, and debts.
Personal information
To develop the best divorce strategy, your lawyer will also need to know all vital information about you, your spouse, and your children. This may include legal names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses. In addition, if you and your soon-to-be ex have already made custody or visitation agreements, you should bring those for your attorney to review.
Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
These agreements can substantially impact the division of assets and your divorce strategy, so you should bring any pre- or postnuptial agreements to your first meeting.
Divorce papers
If you’ve already filed for divorce, you should bring that documentation because your attorney will need to review it. Divorce papers include the petition for divorce or any temporary or permanent orders the court has issued that are related to your divorce.
Evidence of cheating
In Maryland, when you file for divorce, you can say the other party is at fault. The grounds for fault include such issues as adultery. Therefore, if there is any evidence of cheating, you should give it to your attorney because cheating could possibly impact the distribution of assets and alimony.
Evidence of abuse or neglect
If your spouse has abused or neglected you or your children, it is vital to provide any proof you have to your attorney. This can include police reports, medical records, recordings, or anything else you believe shows the abuse or neglect. Your lawyer can review these documents and create a plan to protect you and your children.
Personal support system
Divorces are emotional, so having a support system is essential. You may want to bring a close friend or family member to your meeting with your attorney for support.
Questions or concerns
Before the meeting, it may be helpful to create a list of your questions or concerns about the divorce process. When doing this, consider custody, child support, alimony, property division, or any other important issues. This list can help you remember everything you want to go over with your attorney.
Providing your attorney with all the evidence relevant to your divorce can improve your odds of getting what you want out of the divorce. However, if you forget anything, don’t worry. Your attorney will ask questions to ensure they have all the necessary information.
If you are looking for a divorce attorney in Bethesda or Gaithersburg, the attorneys of The McKeon Law Firm are ready to help. We have decades of practicing family law, including divorce, so we understand how to help reduce stress and pursue the best outcome possible. To discuss your options and get guidance during a consultation, contact us today at (301) 417-9222 or (202) 742-1800.
