Preparing for a First Meeting with Your Divorce Attorney in Pennsylvania

Posted by Gregory LaMonaca on April 15th, 2021

A lot must have happened in your life recently. You don't want to compound your situation while seeking reasonable solutions. In most cases, divorce lawyers offer a free initial consultation where you can meet the attorney personally. This guide provides you with advice on efficiently and effectively preparing for your first legal consultation.

Prepare Any Domestic Agreements

If there are any contracts that you and your spouse signed, show them to your attorney. Your lawyer would need both pre-marital and post-marital agreements (if you’ve been planning towards the separation).

Prepare Your List of Marital and Non-Marital Properties

Marital properties are assets and debt acquired by either one or both partners during the marriage. In a state like Pennsylvania, marital property is "equitably distributed" between separating spouses. Carefully provide your list of marital assets when seeing a divorce lawyer in Chester County, PA.

Non-marital property includes debt and assets that a partner had before marriage that remain unchanged. They aren't your usual documents for divorce proceedings. However, it's essential to inform your attorney about any of such non-nuptial property. Note that inheritance isn't a marital asset unless when used to purchase a joint property.

Essential details to include are any mortgage statements or copies of the deed available. Sometimes, either partner never knew how much they owe on the mortgage. Bringing along these documents will help your attorney identify all details. Provide also your bank, investment, or any retirement account statements. Financial statements can provide helpful information for your lawyer.

Finally, prepare any other debt information, including credit card debt, education loans, and more. During a divorce, all info akin to the relationship would assist your attorney moving forward. Credit card details can tell about your spending history and debt information.

Prepare a List of Questions to Ask Your Lawyer

Your initial meeting with your family lawyer is an opportunity to relieve your most significant worries. Ask all questions on your mind about your situation. You may get rid of some of your worst fears just during your initial meeting.

Recent Tax Returns

Compile your tax returns for the previous years. If possible, provide up to two years' information to your attorney. All attachments can also assist your divorce lawyer in Chester County, PA, in addressing your case.

All Income/Self-Employment Documents

Recent paystubs of you and your spouse (if available) can help give details about your income. Paystubs provide information concerning work hours, holidays, and pay leave periods. If either partner is self-employed, bring as many documents as possible regarding the business transactions. Come along with the profit and loss statement and other relevant documents.

Information about the Other Partner

Provide details about your partner during your first consultation. For instance, tell about their place of employment, health history, and critical information about their personality. Mention any existing threats or tendencies of your partner over the separation.

Other Miscellaneous Information

You want to tender all evidence to defend your claims in the divorce proceedings. Information such as phone conversations, text message history, and journals can guide your lawyer in assisting you. Provide any implicative documents that can hamper your cause at the courts as well. It is essential to be exhaustive when working with your attorney.

Divorce often comes with unsettling emotions, and parties can unwittingly take the wrong steps. Call on us today for efficient legal services of LaMonaca Law Firm.