The first meeting with an attorney can be nerve-wracking. We at Craig B. Hammond, Ltd. understand that and we will do our best to put your mind at ease and make the process as easy and as informative as possible. We know that some clients like to prepare ahead of time for the first meeting with their potential new attorney, and if you would like to begin thinking about the issues that are likely to come up in your divorce, take a look below for some starting points.
(1) Make a list of all of your questions. It can be easy to forget questions. These questions can be about anything – your case, what is going to happen, or even about your attorney. No question is too big or too small.
(2) Here is a worksheet of background information.
(3) Property
(A) What real estate do you and/or your spouse own? When was it purchased? Who is listed on the title? What was it purchased for? What is it worth now? How much is the mortgage?
(B) What other property do you own? Automobiles? Other vehicles? Collections?
(4) Financials
(A) What assets and debts do you and/or your spouse have?
(B) Do you and/or your spouse have recent paystubs? Where are your past 3 years of tax returns for you and/or your business? What other financial statements (checking, savings, credit and department store cards) do you have?
(C) What retirements and other benefits are you and/or your spouse entitled to? Bonuses? Pensions? Profit sharing? 401Ks? Insurance? Credit Unions?
(5) What are your goals and ideals with regards to your children? What about with regards to your assets? What are your emotional goals?