Preparing for Your First Meeting with an Illinois Divorce Lawyer

 Posted on December 18, 2024 in Divorce

So you finally made the decision to get a divorce. While that is certainly a big deal on its own, it also means that you need to begin thinking about the practical side of actually making it happen. Meeting a divorce lawyer for the first time can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you can make the most of your appointment. A good lawyer will help you understand your options and guide you through the divorce process. For more tailored advice, speak with an experienced Illinois divorce lawyer.

What to Prepare Before Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer

This meeting is an important opportunity to let someone with legal knowledge and experience review the specifics of your case and build a plan to protect your rights and interests. The lawyer will want to go over your finances and goals, and if you do not come prepared, it might feel like a waste of time. Before your first meeting, it is best to prepare the following:

Important Documents

Before your meeting, collect any paperwork related to your marriage, finances, and children, which can give your lawyer a clear picture of your situation. Examples of important documents to bring to this meeting include:

• Your marriage certificate

• Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements

• Recent bank statements

• Pay stubs, tax returns, and W-2 forms

• Mortgage or rental agreements

• Statements for retirement accounts

• Documentation of any debts, such as credit card bills or loans

• Children’s birth certificates, school records, and medical information

Having all this ready can save a great deal of time and help your lawyer get started on your divorce case.

Goals

Think about what you would consider a good outcome for your divorce. What do you want to achieve? What concerns do you need addressed? Do you want to keep the house? Do you want primary custody of your children? How do you feel about spousal support or dividing assets? 

This is your chance to think seriously about your goals for your divorce. Be honest about your priorities and any concerns you have. Your lawyer is there to represent your interests, so knowing what your goals are will help them create a plan to achieve them.

Questions

Many of us have had the experience of leaving a meeting only to realize we forgot to ask about something important. It is so easy to forget important questions when you are nervous, particularly when life feels as stressful and tumultuous as it can when a marriage breaks down.

Before your meeting, prepare a list of questions you want to make sure to get answers for. Common questions include:

• How long does the divorce process take in Illinois?

• How much will it cost me once this is over?

• How is child custody decided?

• How will our assets and debts be divided?

• What should I be doing to protect myself financially?

Having a list ensures that you will leave the meeting with the information you need.

A Notebook

During your meeting, your lawyer will probably explain legal terms you might not be familiar with and outline the next steps for you to take. You will hopefully be getting answers to your questions as well as other information you had not even thought of asking about. With so much happening all at once, it is a good idea to bring a notebook or laptop so you can write down key points and ease pressure on yourself to simply remember everything important.

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Divorce Lawyer

While divorce can be an emotionally challenging process, this initial meeting is about planning for the future. Coming prepared is an excellent way to make it go smoother and to ensure that you get more out of it. At A. Traub & Associates, we are passionate about helping our clients understand what they want out of their divorce and how to get it, and we will fight hard so you get the most favorable outcome for your case. Call us at 847-749-4182 to schedule a private consultation with a qualified Arlington Heights, IL family law attorney today.