5 Documents to Bring to a Meeting With a Family Lawyer

You have an initial consultation coming up with reputable family lawyers. This meeting will help you understand your legal options and decide if this attorney is the right fit for your case. Bringing key documents allows the lawyer to give you better and more cohesive advice. Here's what you should have on hand for that first visit.

1. Financial Records

Your finances will be crucial in determining spousal and child support. Bring recent tax returns, bank statements, investment account info, pay stubs, and records of any major assets or debts. Be prepared to disclose details about property, vehicles, businesses, retirement accounts, stock options, bonuses, pensions, and anything else of value. If you suspect hidden assets, provide evidence. Secret accounts and transfers made to avoid equitable division can be addressed legally, but family lawyers need documentation to prove it.

2. Records of Expenses

Your household spending will factor into settlement negotiations. Provide current statements showing costs for housing, healthcare, insurance, childcare, education, transportation, groceries, utilities, loans, and other routine expenses. Highlight any big upcoming costs like college tuition. Expenses directly related to children are especially important for calculating child support arrangements, so note specifics on their medical bills, extracurricular activities, and school tuition for the family lawyers.

3. Personal Documents

Bring identification, birth certificates for all family members, marriage and prenuptial agreements, separation agreements, and any prior court orders regarding the marriage or children. Also, share custody agreements, restraining orders, or domestic violence records that exist.

4. Calendar and Communication Logs

To address custody issues, provide detailed records showing your current parenting schedule and responsibilities. Mark which parent has the kids and when. Note who transports them to activities, attends teacher conferences, handles discipline, and so on. Logs of emails, texts, and phone calls help establish communication patterns. Print copies of any exchanges relevant to parenting disputes.

5. Evidence of Fault (If Applicable)

If you are seeking a divorce based on fault grounds like adultery, abandonment, or abuse, bring evidence to prove those claims. For example, for adultery, you may have emails, texts, photos, or other records of the affair. If alleging abandonment, offer documentation like a change of address form showing your spouse moved out. For abuse, provide police reports, medical records, or other materials documenting violence or threats.

According to IBISWorld, in the U.S., there are currently 57,270 family law firms. You'll want to make the most of your initial meeting with prospective family lawyers to ensure that you found the right team. Being organized and providing complete documentation allows the attorney to give you accurate legal recommendations tailored to your unique situation. Call our team at The Law Office of Arthur J. White III, P.C. to schedule a consultation with our attorneys today.