5 Tips for When You First Meet With Your Divorce Attorney

5 Tips for When You First Meet With Your Divorce Attorney

If you are getting ready to go through a divorce, one of the best things that you can do for your own success (and sanity) is to work with a great divorce attorney.

Finding a family law attorney in Tuscon can be more complicated than you initially think — not because they are hard to find, but because you want to be sure that you are choosing the right lawyer for your situation.

A good divorce attorney such as Elkins & Associates will offer an initial consultation over the phone to get a general idea of how you will work with them, but after this, you will schedule your first actual meeting, which is where you are going to really learn about how things will go. Below are five different tips to make sure that you get the most out of your first meeting, and that you leave with the confidence you need to be sure that you have the help you need and deserve. The most important takeaway here? Be prepared.

1. Write Down All Of Your Questions

Once you are in the meeting, it is almost a natural law that you will not be able to remember all of the questions. It is just as true that you will remember them all as soon as you get back in your car to head home. To avoid this happening to you, write down every question that comes to mind during the days leading up to your meeting. This way you will be able to move through them systematically and can leave your meeting confident that you addressed the big issues that are on your mind.

2. Prepare Your Financial Documents

Most of the biggest issues of a divorce are the finances, and your attorney is going to need to understand what the process is going to look like as early into the divorce as possible. Therefore, gather as much information and documentation about your finances as possible before your first meeting. Although you will be able to provide plenty of information directly to your lawyer, they will be able to gather a lot from these documents as well.

3. Gather Your Tax Returns

Tax returns can tell your lawyer a lot about the overall financial situation that is going to be one of the central issues of your divorce process, and your tax return information will be extremely helpful, especially when paired with the rest of the financial documents that you provided.

4. List Out All Of The Relevant Information About Your Divorce and Marriage

If there are any important details about your marriage and divorce, make sure that you write them down. Your attorney will lead your initial meeting and guide you through the questions that they need answers to, but once you are moving through the meeting you may forget a major detail that will be extremely helpful to your attorney. To avoid this, make sure that you compile as much information in writing as possible so that your attorney has a document with the information that you believe is central to the case.

5. Be Completely Honest

While there are probably plenty of details of your marriage and divorce that may be sensitive, it is absolutely essential that you are completely honest with your attorney. You can be certain of one thing: if you leave out any important details with your lawyer, they will learn about them from your spouse and their attorney instead. Being honest with your attorney is the best way that you can help them prepare for your divorce process without them being caught off-guard about some surprising information that changes the situation.

53 Comments
  1. Penelope Smith says

    This is some really good information about family lawyers. It is good to know that you should think about getting your tax returns for your first meeting with a divorce lawyer. That is great to know because my cousin is considering getting a divorce from her husband.

  2. Brooklyn Johnson says

    I like how you mentioned that once you are in a meeting with your lawyer, it is likely that you won’t be able to remember all of your questions, so you should write them down beforehand. My husband and I decided to end our marriage, and I want to make sure that I will get full custody of my daughter because I don’t think my ex is fit to be a parent. I will definitely consider your great tips and information when having my first meeting with a family lawyer to make sure it goes smoothly.

  3. Bob says

    I like your tip about showing your tax returns to your lawyer. That makes sense considering they can sort through your assets. I’ll have to consider your tips so that I can get a proper divorce.

  4. Katie Wilson says

    Thanks for these tips on how to find a good family lawyer. It would make sense to find someone who is qualified and will help you prepare all of your documents together. My husband and I are looking for a family lawyer, so we’ll have to make sure to get our document together.

  5. Camille Devaux says

    The other day a friend of mine was thinking about getting a divorce attorney. She wants to make sure that she is getting the most out of the service. It might help her to know that she should be looking into getting all the right documentation.

  6. Katie Wilson says

    Thanks for these tips on how to find a good divorce lawyer. It would make sense to gather your tax returns before you actually choose the lawyer to help you as well. My husband and I are looking for a divorce lawyer, so we’ll have to check their qualifications first.

  7. Marcus Coons says

    I agree that you will not remember all that you want to ask an attorney, so it is best to write down your questions. It is important to understand that doing some research can help you find the best type of attorney for the type of case you have. We are looking for a lawyer that can help my dad with his disability claim, so I’m looking for ways to help him out.

  8. Marcus Coons says

    It helped a lot when you mentioned how being honest with your attorney can help them prepare better for your case. I can see that finding someone you can trust can help you be confident in their skills and get the best results. We are getting divorced this summer and want to find someone that can help us make the process smooth, so I’m glad I found your page.

  9. Marcus Coons says

    I had no idea that you needed to consider your taxes when choosing an attorney. It is important to understand this so you know how to find the best. Personally, I would also want to take the time to compare several attorneys before choosing one.

  10. Marcus Coons says

    Thanks for mentioning how you should write all the questions you might have before visiting an attorney. I can see how anyone looking into this would want to find someone that inspires trust. We need to find an attorney to help with our car crash, so I’m glad I found your page.

  11. Stefan Bradley says

    Preparing for the meeting by writing down all of your questions is a good idea, it’s probably difficult to remember everything you want to ask. I will be meeting with my divorce attorney soon, so I want to make sure that he can clear up any questions I have for him. I want to make sure I am professional and keep things in order so I can make my attorney’s job as painless as possible.

  12. Marcus Coons says

    I agree that you should prepare as much documentation as possible when choosing a tax attorney. It is important to understand this so you can avoid any issues with the IRS. We need to find a good attorney that can help us avoid filing incorrectly and getting fined again, so I’m glad I found your page.

  13. Jenna Hunter says

    I think that some of these tips could go for meeting any lawyer, I really like the suggestion about writing down all of your questions so that you don’t forget any. My cousin is looking for an attorney to help him with his immigration case. It would be really nice if he could find a professional to help him out.

  14. Daphne Gilpin says

    Thanks for the tip to bring our tax returns with us, since our financial situation will be a big influence in the divorce process. My husband and I recently decided to get divorced, and I think hiring a lawyer would be a good idea to help me stay objective about the whole thing. I’m glad I read your article because now I feel a lot more prepared to meet with potential divorce attorneys.

  15. Thomas Peterson says

    I liked the advice of being completely honest with your divorce attorney. I’ve been going through a divorce and my divorce attorney has been able to be very helpful to me because I’ve been honest. I also liked how you mentioned that being honest helps them prepare for your divorce without them being caught off-guard by any surprising information.

  16. Sam Li says

    I love what you said about gathering all financial information and documentation in order to make the divorce process go more smoothly. Working with a divorce attorney is vital when it comes to dividing up property. My neighbor is getting divorced, so I’ll suggest that he find an attorney with a solid reputation.

  17. Amy Winters says

    Thank you for pointing out that you should write down every question that comes to your mind during the days that lead up to meeting with your divorce attorney. My brother has been thinking about getting divorced. It’s good to know that he should write down any questions he has if he chooses to meet with a divorce attorney in our area.

  18. David Johnson says

    Thank you for explaining that once in the meeting you won’t remember your questions so you should write them down before. Personally, I think having these questions in mind long before you hire the attorney would help in finding one as well because you’ll know what you’re looking for. I’ll have to look more into divorce attorneys.

  19. Mia Stewart says

    I like how the article explains that you should make sure to list all the important details of your divorce for your attorney so they can know all the information needed. My husband and I are getting a divorce as I discovered he was cheating on me so I will be sure to include that in the information that I tell my divorce attorney. Thank you for the tips on meeting with your divorce attorney for the first time.

  20. Taylor Bishop says

    Thanks for these tips for talking with your divorce attorney. I’m glad you mentioned it’s important to write down any questions that come into mind so you can address them in the meeting. This also seems really helpful if it can give you an idea of what you can expect in the divorce and how to proceed with it.

  21. Shayla Cademis says

    Thanks for the suggestion to tax return information and other financial documents so my attorney can fully understand the financial situation and potential process. My husband and I have decided to get a divorce, and I know we’re both concerned about how the finances will be divvied up. I’ll definitely need to find a good lawyer who can ensure everything is broken up fairly, and I will be sure to bring all relevant financial documents to the first consultation.

  22. Sandra Patterson says

    Thank you for the article about what to say when you meet with your divorce lawyer. My sister has been thinking about getting a divorce. I am sure that she could appreciate this fro if she goes through with it.

  23. sowmya says

    its really helpful for whoever thinking about getting a divorce.

  24. Ashley Johnson says

    I liked that you said that one important thing to do when going through a divorce is to write down all of the questions that you have for your attorney. I would imagine taht this would help you figure out the process better. I would be sure to ask my attorney all of my questions to clear up any confusion.

  25. Marcus Coons says

    Thanks for talking about attorneys. We need to find someone to help us do a protective order. Having a good reviews attorney would be great.

  26. Elisabeth Southgate says

    I found it helpful when you said to get all your tax returns. I think in general most people getting a divorce wouldn’t think to bring in their tax documents. I know I wouldn’t. Knowing this ahead of time can save everyone involved some time and money

  27. Katie Wilson says

    Thanks for these tips on how to find a good attorney. It would make sense to find someone who is able to prepare your financial documents right. My husband and I are looking for an attorney, so we’ll have to check their experience first.

  28. Shayla Cademis says

    Thanks for the suggestion to compile all relevant financial information and documentation before the first meeting so they can better understand what the process could look like. My brother and his wife recently decided to get a divorce. My family has been worried about her taking all of his money, so hopefully we can find a great divorce attorney who can help sort out the situation to make it fair for all parties involved.

  29. Mindy Jollie says

    I like what you said about being completely honest with your divorce lawyer about surprising or difficult details. I would imagine that could lead to problems if you don’t let them know any relevant details that could affect the outcome of the divorce proceedings. My friend may be considering a divorce so I will make sure she understands how that divorce attorney-client relationship should work.

  30. video chat says

    This is one of the best info i’ve read recently on this topic so far. You nailed it. Thans for the share. God bless you and what you are doing here.

  31. Sam Li says

    You made a great suggestion when you said to gather financial documentation before hiring an attorney. When faced with legal trouble, it’s important to find an attorney with a winning track record. My best friend is filing for a divorce, so I’ll help him find a lawyer in town that can provide expert counsel.

  32. Brooklyn Johnson says

    Thank you for your tip on how you should gather as much information and documentation about your finances as possible before your first meeting with your divorce lawyer. My husband and I are getting a divorce and I want to make sure that All of my rights are protected and I get what I deserve, so I want to hire a lawyer. I will definitely keep all of your great tips and information in mind when meeting with my divorce attorney.

  33. Ron Booker says

    I like that you said that being honest with your attorney is the best way that you can help them prepare for your process without them being caught off-guard. My aunt is going into the process of getting divorced and she wants somebody to help her with the process. I’m going to share with her this helpful tip.

  34. Kate Welling says

    I like how you mentioned that we should write down all of our questions. It makes sense that we would want to do this so we don’t forget anything. My sister might be looking for a family lawyer soon.

  35. Sam Li says

    I like your tip about gathering tax returns. Hiring a divorce lawyer is the best way to make the process as civil as possible. My friend is going through a divorce, so I’ll help him find the best attorney to work with.

  36. Katie Wilson says

    Thanks for these tips on how to find a good divorce lawyer. I agree that you want to find someone who offers a free consultation. My husband and I are looking for a divorce lawyer, so we’ll have to check their consultation first.

  37. Ron Booker says

    I like that you said that being completely honest with your divorce lawyer can help you get better results and avoids changing situations. My best friend told me that he was planning on getting a divorce and he needed help finding a good attorney that can help him with the process. Thank you for sharing these tips, I’m going to let my friend know about the importance of being honest to the attorney.

  38. Laurel Larsen says

    I liked your tip to prepare your financial documents before meeting with the lawyer. My cousin might be getting a divorce soon and doesn’t know what he’ll need to provide in terms of documentation. I’ll be sure to let him know that he needs to get as much of his financial information as possible to make the process easier.

  39. Katie Wilson says

    Thanks for these tips on how to find a good divorce lawyer. I agree that you want to consider your financial documents first. If I ever need a divorce lawyer, so we’ll have to check their qualifications.

  40. Skylar Williams says

    Thank you for your tip to gather financial documentation before meeting with your divorce lawyer for the first time. My brother is getting divorced and he’s a little confused about how to handle everything. I will make sure to pass this tip along to him.

  41. Callum Palmer says

    My relationship hasn’t been the best as of late and I do think going with a divorce would be the right option. As you said here, it would be a good idea to write down all of the questions that you’d have. That way when you meet with the attorney, you’ll be ready to ask them.

  42. Jenny Hills says

    The dissolution of my marriage is a really stressful and highly emotional event for me. And I really needed help to hire an attorney for my divorce process. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips.

  43. Oliver Ray says

    It is a good idea to write down all the questions one might have for a divorce before meeting with a divorce attorney. During an emotional time, it might be hard to remember everything really important for you cause. You probably don’t want to get back home and realize you forgot the most important question about your divorce.

  44. Eli Richardson says

    You made a great point that it is best to find someone who offers a free consultation. My brother is looking for a divorce lawyer, so I’ll have to help him appoint a consultation first. Thanks for these tips on how to find a good divorce lawyer.

  45. Jay Jorgenson says

    My aunt is getting divorced. I like how you mention being honest with the attorney helps by avoiding being caught off-guard about some surprising information that changes the situation. Thank you for the information. I’ll provide his information to my aunt so she can tell all the details to her lawyer about the case.

  46. Dennis Sanchez says

    You made an interesting point when you talked about how it is important to be completely honest with an attorney when discussing details of a divorce with them. Any kind of misinformation that an attorney receives could affect the decision that they make. Being honest with people goes a long way.

  47. Kate Hansen says

    I appreciate how you said that you should write down all of your questions before meeting with an attorney. My sister and her husband just agreed on getting a divorce a month ago and she was wanting to find a lawyer and wanted to know some tips. I’ll make sure to pass this along to her while she searches for an attorney.

  48. Derek McDoogle says

    I’m glad that you talked about how most of the biggest issues of a divorce are the finances. Unfortunately, my friend told me that he wants to get divorced due to the many problems with his wife. It would be nice if he gets advice from a divorce lawyer so he can have a better idea of how to start the process.

  49. Jane Burt says

    I like how the article explains that when you are meeting with a divorce attorney, you should make sure to write down all of your questions. My sister is getting a divorce and is needing to meet with a divorce attorney. I will suggest that she write down all her questions.

  50. Drake Welsh says

    I thought it was helpful when you mentioned that you should be completely honest when you see a divorce attorney. My wife and I are needing to get divorced. When we do, I will be sure to be honest with my attorney.

  51. Wade Joel says

    My best friend is currently in the process of getting divorced and I’m trying to understand the whole thing better so I can help her and make it easier. Thank you for these great 5 tips; I sure didn’t know that tax return information would also be helpful. I’ll make sure I forward this to my friend before she hires a lawyer!

  52. Jenna Hunter says

    These are good tips on how to meet with a custody lawyer. I agree that you want to write your questions first. My brother needs help with a custody case, so he’ll have to write his questions first.

  53. Ron Booker says

    I appreciate that you said that you can use your tax returns to help your divorce lawyer take care of any financial details. My cousin is going to file for a divorce and he wants to be ready with all the documentation needed for a quick process. I’m going to share these tips with him so that he can relieve some stress.