Divorce proceedings involve various legal matters to be taken care of before a marriage is considered officially over. In order to begin this process, spouses should retain the services from an experienced and compassionate New York divorce attorney for assistance during this trying time in their life. In doing so, it is important to know what to expect from your first meeting with the divorce attorney.
What Information Should I Take With Me?
Often times, divorces are complex and many spouses involved are unsure of what they need to do. That is why it is important to educate yourself with the help of an attorney and be prepared. A good start is bringing the necessary documentation to your first consultation with your attorney. This information provides them with a basic understanding of you, your spouse, and the situation you are facing. Documentation that can help you during this time can include the following:
- The divorce complaint, if already filed
- Recent pay stubs
- Individual and business tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1099s
- Recent bank statements
What Can I Expect During a Consultation?
An initial consultation with a divorce attorney usually lasts about one hour. During the meeting, the attorney asks various questions relating to your marriage and your intentions during the divorce. These questions can pertain to the length of the relationship, the income and employment history of both parties, any assets or debts you both may have, if you have children together, and more. Information you may wish to provide your attorney with can include the following:
- A brief history of the marriage
- Background information about yourself, your spouse, and your children
- Your immediate situation
- Your intentions and goals regarding your situation
- What information you are seeking from the consultation
When going into the meeting, it is important to know that the advice you may receive from your attorney can vary depending on the facts of your personal situation.
Can I Bring Support?
Divorce proceedings are usually an emotional time for all people involved. It is because of this that it is important to have a support system in place for the difficult time ahead. This can begin with bringing a loved one to your initial consultation with a divorce attorney. During this time, they can listen in, take notes, and ask important questions that can help you later on.
Contact our Firm
Peter V. Mandi, Esq. is an experienced divorce and family law attorney located in Bohemia, New York. Our firm understands the impact a divorce can have on your life. If you require strong and dedicated legal representation in Long Island, New York, please do not hesitate to contact Peter V. Mandi & Associates, Inc. today.