Preparing For Your Divorce Consultation
As a family solicitor, I appreciate that having an initial meeting with a stranger regarding one of the most intimate parts of your life can be daunting.
Here are some things to bear in mind, which I hope will make you feel more confident going into your consultation.
We are the Doctors of the legal world
What I mean by that, is that there is very little that shocks us. It is very unlikely that you will mention an issue or an occurrence between you and your spouse, that I have not seen/heard before. I am there to give constructive advice to help you resolve your family law issues; not to judge you.
Nothing is irrelevant
Please feel free to open up about how you are feeling and any concerns you have. Clients sometimes withhold information, worrying that they are oversharing and/or that it is irrelevant. A solicitor can gauge what is relevant, because we are qualified to. It is better to tell us ‘too much’, than to risk missing a key piece of information.
Make a list
It happens to everyone; you walk into a meeting with many thoughts you wish to cover and as soon as you sit down, your mind goes blank. Creating a list of concerns you wish to discuss during your meeting will ensure you leave feeling reassured about the points that were worrying you. You may be concerned about how to issue divorce proceedings, how the financial issues will be resolved, how you will deal with the children, how much everything will cost. Ask ALL the questions- and remember that there is no such thing as a silly question!
Give Some Thought To Your Finances
In an initial meeting, it is usual for a solicitor to ask questions regarding your finances e.g. the value of your home, the mortgage balance, any assets you may have, including the value of any pension assets. Whilst some information cannot practically be obtained prior to a meeting (which is not an issue), it may help the solicitor provide more tailored advice, if you are able to provide fuller details about your circumstances.
Solicitors Are Human Too
We can relate to, and empathise with, the emotions you are experiencing whilst going through the breakdown of your marriage. It is okay to cry. We are not robots, and we do not expect you to speak of your situation, devoid of all emotion. Whilst we are not therapists or counsellors, we are there to support you through the challenges of a divorce. I can deal with the legal issues, and I also have a network of professionals I can signpost you to for additional support you may require.
Please feel free get in touch to arrange an initial consultation – as my profile says “I make the complex and painful, simple and human”.
