Divorce can be one of the most stressful ordeals a person can experience. It has been compared to the death of a close family member, but in some ways, it is worse. The problems seem overwhelming. The interpersonal conflicts, the loss of control, the feelings of insecurity, both emotional and financial, and the process seems to go on and on and on. So how should a lawyer approach the divorce?
If you are seeking a divorce or to establish initial custody and parenting time, you generally do not have to bring anything to your first meeting, unless you were served with papers. If you were served with papers, bring those papers with you. At the conclusion of your initial meeting, your lawyer may give you a list of documents to locate and bring back. This may include common papers, like tax returns, recent pay stubs and statements from retirement plans.
When lawyers say they practice “family law,” they are telling you that they have a specialty in working with clients in all the legal aspects of family relations: generally the spousal relationship, the domestic partner relationship and the parent-child relationship. Family law for spousal relationships includes prenuptial agreements, separations, divorces and modification proceedings.