If you are seeking custody of your child or children during a divorce, you will most likely want to hire a family lawyer to help you with the complex process. But before you can hire a lawyer, you need to visit a family law office. Here are some important things you need to prepare before your first visit to a family law office.
Physical Preparation
Paperwork may not be fun, but it is absolutely necessary to complete any legal processes. And even more important is that you have the correct paperwork for your first family lawyer consultation. Some of the things you should bring include:
- Any separation agreements between you and your spouse.
- A prenuptial agreement, if it exists.
- Proof of education and work history for both you and your spouse.
- Documentation of any acts of violence committed by your spouse to you or your children. These can include police reports, medical reports, and other official documents.
- Evidence from teachers or school officials showing a need for greater stability in the life of your child.
- Evidence of any alcohol or other substance abuse issues your spouse may have.
If you want to begin making a strong case and have a successful first consultation with family law attorneys, these forms of documentation are absolutely crucial in the formation of your legal proceedings.
Mental Preparation
Preparing mentally is just as important as preparing physical documents. Almost 95% of divorces reach an out-of-court settlement, but you need to be prepared for the possibility of going to court at all times, even during your first legal consultation. Here are some things you should do to prepare:
- Learn how child custody laws work in your state. If you do not know already, make sure to ask.
- Ensure your attorney does not have any conflicts of interest before moving forward with your case.
- Make a note of potential strategies and tasks you can complete to expedite your legal proceedings.
- Prepare questions about the background your lawyer has in cases like yours.
- Do not forget to ask about legal fees, including how much they are and when they are due.
Preparing for a legal consultation might seem like a hefty amount of work, but all of that work will be well worth it in the end. Make sure you have all of these things prepared before that first consultation at a family law office.