What to Expect During Your San Diego Divorce Consultation
Divorce brings about a multitude of emotions when confronted with the knowledge that your marriage is ending. It’s perfectly normal for you to be feeling angry, afraid, hurt, anxious, or depressed. Your home life may have become unrecognizable – filled with strife and conflict. The stress could be affecting your health. You’re dealing with a lot. One thing you should not have to worry about is what to expect from a free divorce consultation. The following is a brief look into what an initial San Diego divorce consultation should look like. We hope this helps you feel more prepared and calm while you're going through the process.
If you have questions about any of the following, please don't hesitate to contact our team for a confidential divorce consultation.
1. A DIVORCE CONSULTATION IS CONFIDENTIAL
The first thing you should know is that a divorce consultation is confidential, whether it is free or not. It is normal to have concerns over whether a free consultation will also be confidential, given that it is free. Rest assured that all communications are confidential and kept strictly private. None of what has been said to an attorney in a private, confidential consultation will “leave the room” unless you expressly say otherwise.
2. COMFORT IS KEY
We understand that this is a difficult ordeal no matter the circumstances. While we learn the specifics of your case, we do our very best to keep the process as painless as possible. We aim to be sensitive and lead with compassion. We give you straight forward answers that are carefully explained. Instead of spouting off detailed legal theories or citing case law, we have a conversation with you. It’s important that you understand everything that we go over, so we avoid complex legal jargon. We’re here to listen to your concerns and provide you with the tools and information you need to move forward with your life.
In the first free consultation, you should be prepared for a lot of questions. Particularly at this initial stage, it’s important for us to learn about a you as a person and discover as much about your spouse and children (if you should have any). We’ll also need to establish the basics of your immediate financial and psychological needs so that we can determine whether it will be necessary to reach out for additional support such as a therapist, divorce coach, estate planning attorneys, or even financial advisors. There are any number of factors to consider during a divorce, and this initial consultation will be a vital part of establishing your case.
As the case moves forward, the attorney-client relationship will expand. It’s important that a good working relationship is established, as attorneys and clients will spend a lot of time together. At this pivotal moment in your life you’re making decisions that will have lasting effects on the immediate outcome of your divorce case and beyond. It is essential to have an experienced attorney that will help guide you through the next few days, weeks, and months. We’ll provide you with as much information as possible and remain available to keep you appraised of your rights, options, and responsibilities.
3. BE PREPARED
Every divorce is different. There are a great number of details that can have an effect on the legal workings of a case, and it’s the job of your attorney to know what questions to ask. Divorce cases are inherently personal, and some clients can be overwhelmed at how many details will be needed. However, bringing as much information as you can to your divorce consultation will enable us to provide you with more specific legal advice. If there are any legal documents that you think could be relevant, it’s better to bring them and not need them than the other way around. This may include financial documents, pay stubs, bank statements, title documents, deeds, and other items related to any real property (i.e. real estate) or personal property.
We strongly encourage you to bring a written list of questions to ask a divorce attorney. This is a stressful time, and you will feel more in control and less anxious if you are prepared with a list to reference. Be prepared to take notes. Throughout this process, you’ll be on the receiving end of a crash course in San Diego divorce proceedings, and it would be impossible to memorize all of it.
4. EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT
Most of the specifics of an initial divorce consultation will depend heavily on what is happening in the divorce proceedings. We often consult with people who are just exploring what the process will look like, as well as people in the middle of their divorce proceedings who feel lost or overwhelmed. It’s impossible to predict with absolute certainty what could happen during your case. However, by going over the major issues that commonly arise during divorce proceedings, we’re able to get a clearer picture of your individual case. We’ll inquire about things such as any potential or existing custody arrangements for any minor children, child support, spousal support (i.e. alimony) and the division of all property and debts.
5. NEXT STEPS
Once you’ve gone through your list questions to ask a divorce lawyer, and we have gathered a sufficient amount of information to get started, we can start working together to develop the strategy for your case. You can expect to leave the initial consultation with solid and useful information on what steps you must take, what steps you should take, and what steps you could potentially take. Divorce can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that being informed and receiving the proper professional guidance is empowering and necessary. You have decisions to make, and we are here to help you make them. By the end of our first consultation, you’ll have greater peace of mind because you’ll be more informed about the process of divorce and what you can expect next.
The primary goal of a our divorce consultation is to leave you feeling as though you were listened to, the specifics of your case were understood, and that the attorney is equipped to meet the particular legal and practical needs of your case. You should leave knowing that your attorney is competent, knowledgeable, and experienced. We’re here to steer you through the stressful road ahead. So connect with us – we’re here to help.