WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION WITH A DIVORCE ATTORNEY IN NEW YORK


 

Introduction

If you are facing divorce, one of the first things you should do is consult with a divorce attorney in New York, NY, who can help explain your rights and options, and the road ahead. In many ways, divorce is a difficult and emotional concept to grasp. Rarely does the decision to file for divorce come easily. How the married couple approaches and prepares for the divorce process can have significant legal and financial implications for all parties concerned; hence, finding the right divorce attorney in New York, NY, is of the utmost importance before making any move or affixing any signature.

Professional help and support at this critical juncture cannot be gainsaid. One of the very first things most people want to do in the divorce process is to have a meeting with a divorce attorney in New York, NY. That meeting with the divorce attorney in New York, NY, is all about helping one understand his or her rights, figure out options, and plan what to do next, meaning there are a few critical steps which will definitely help one move smoothly in that consultation.

Now, let's speak about how to prepare for the first meeting with a divorce attorney in New York, NY.

Prepare a summary of your story

You can save a bunch of time by jotting down some basic info that your divorce attorney in New York, NY will need. This includes your and your spouse’s full names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, social security numbers, and email addresses. Make sure to list your kids' full names, birth dates, and social security numbers too.

List herein yourself and your spouse's place of employment, your occupations, and the annual income from such occupations. Provide whether you or your spouse have children of a prior marriage. Specify the date of your marriage and the date one of you left the home.

Provide info on other related issues

No two divorces are exactly the same. It would be beneficial, before sitting down with your divorce attorney in New York, NY, to understand what issues will need to be decided in the divorce. This can include deciding child custody/child support, or spousal support through equitable distribution of the marital estate or other means.

Your divorce attorney in New York, NY will be able to outline at the initial consultation the legal process by which each of the above-mentioned issues are determined and how the issue is likely to be decided. You should leave the meeting with an idea of how things might go, especially if you and your spouse can't seem to see eye to eye about things such as custody of the kids.

What are you aiming to get from your case?

It really helps your divorce attorney in New York, NY if you have given some thought as to what you want out of the divorce. What is most important to you with this divorce proceeding? For some, it will be an issue at the front of the divorce to decide what to do with the house and for others, child custody is first and foremost.

As a matter of fact, being in a position to identify what you want to reach will be quite useful for your divorce attorney in New York, NY. They can give you a candid assessment of how realistic your goals are and the likelihood of your achieving them. Your divorce attorney in New York, NY, may even be able to help you decide which of those goals to focus on first.

Prepare questions

Writing down questions beforehand can help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding your divorce. Jot down anything that you might have a question about, no matter how silly you may feel it is. Most people getting divorced do not have any great concept of how the legal system works, so this will also be an excellent time to learn from your divorce attorney in New York, NY as well.

Some questions that always come up are the matters of child custody, marital homes, and alimony. In so many cases, it is basically impossible to forecast with absolute precision how divorce procedures will come out, the length they take, and what they will finally cost. These are many things dependent upon the people concerned, what issues are in dispute, and how keen each party is to compromise.

What to expect on your first consultation?

Taking the bold step to connect with divorce attorneys in New York, NY, can be pretty intimidating. This is especially true if you have been through a tough time or faced domestic violence. But good law firms know how to ask the right questions to keep you safe and get you the help you need- fast.

It is smart to follow some tips when you call a potential divorce attorney in New York, NY:

      Identify yourself and the purpose of your call.

Don't worry about revealing personal information; whatever you say will be treated as confidential. This confidentiality extends to all individuals within the firm, including non-attorneys. If you don't identify yourself, they may have to end the conversation due to potential conflicts of interest.

      Be prepared to provide an explanation of how and when they may contact you again.

The person you speak to will want to know if it is safe for them to contact you back and at what time. Be sure to provide the best number to reach you, and keep looking out for their call so you avoid too much backward and forward service.

      Avoid big questions.

It is absolutely alright to ask a few things over the call, but you shall be in a better position to discuss your concerns in detail in a physical meeting. And the way to get that information and support is to schedule that meeting first.

What do you bring to your first meeting?

Every divorce is different, and certain documents may be necessary depending on your specific situation. Generally speaking, though, it probably couldn't hurt to bring anything that might even conceivably relate to your divorce.

The following are some of the more common documents that an individual might consider making available:

      Pay stubs.

      Tax returns.

      Birth certificates.

      Bank statements.

      Marriage license.

      Prior divorce papers.

It could also be helpful to collect any evidence that may support your case, such as proof of infidelity or abuse. Examples include but are not limited to: photographs, videos, audiotapes, telephone records, text messages, police reports, and medical records.

Common questions to ask during this first consultation

Asking questions in your first meeting is super important for making smart choices and getting a better idea of what's coming next. Good questions can prepare you for any bumps in the road and help you think about how your divorce decisions might impact your finances and well-being down the line.

Meeting with a divorce attorney in New York, NY, for the first time, will allow you a chance to tell if he will be the proper attorney for your needs. Based on experience, a discussion can best help decide the estimated cost of a divorce attorney in New York, NY, for how to move forward while taking in all considerations before committing to hiring a divorce attorney in New York, NY.

When you first meet with a divorce lawyer, you may want to ask the following general questions:

      How many years have you practised law?

      How do you like to communicate?

      How long does a divorce like this typically take?

      How much will your legal services cost?

      Are there any other fees I should be aware of?

      Will anyone else be working on my matter?

      How long do you think my divorce will take?

      Can you share some references of past clients that you might have?

      Do you primarily handle family law, or do you do other aspects?

      How does a divorce work in New York?

Get help!

Preparing for an initial consultation with a divorce attorney in New York, NY, will be very critical in terms of obtaining maximum results and minimizing stress. Also, don't forget to get your documents in order, write out your questions and the information you need, outline your goals and financial concerns, and set reasonable expectations. The right divorce attorney in New York, NY, can mean everything in terms of support and advice during a hard time in one's life.

Gehi and Associates has a dedicated team of divorce attorneys in New York, NY. We can help you make sense of what is happening and navigate you through the divorce process. Come to our first meeting as informed as possible. Then, our skilled divorce attorneys in New York, NY, will handle the rest in a loving and understandable way.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

WHY CHOOSE GEHI AND ASSOCIATES AS YOUR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY RICHMOND?

GUIDE TO OTHER OPTIONS TO ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR A SMOOTH DIVORCE PROCESS WITH A DIVORCE LAWYER IN NEW YORK