Getting a divorce isn't easy, yet one have to it. Divorce, like any other undertaking, has to be prepared for.
It's a given that the entire divorce process brings about so much anxiety and emotional stress. Lawyers who are used to seeing people in these situations all agree that being well-prepared can be a tremendous help.
Open mind, frankness, honesty
Lawyers agree that the more willing you are to compromise, the more it helps them obtain a fair resolution. The more prepared you are (honest, accurate, frank) the more your lawyer can take care of the problems.
Acting efficiently may also reduce your legal expenses, reduce time you spend along with your lawyer and reduce stress on yourself. From the lawyers themselves, below are a few recommendations you may use in preparing for your divorce.
Questions
Do a list of your detailed questions to your lawyer. Lawyers bill in units of 4, six, ten, or fifteen minutes. Typically, a minimum amount of time is charged even though your time with your lawyer is less.
Asking numerous questions in a single call enables your lawyer to work more efficiently and saves you attorney's fees (in numerous calls).
Information
Even in your very first meeting, it can be profitable to supply your lawyer with a checklist of needed information.
Top of the list are the basic data that includes your names, home and work addresses (and numbers), places and dates of births of kids (if any), Social Security numbers, health information and other relevant info.
Next would be the relevant information about your marriage, place and date, facts about previous marriages (if any) and details of them, including pre-nuptial agreements, etc.
If you have kids inform your lawyer your exact position on issues like custody and access. Include, too, any and all discussions with your spouse on these issues (if there were).
Be honest in informing your lawyer if there are any criminal records of either you or your spouse, any kind of spousal abuse, and whether it had been reported or not.
Tell your legal representative details of your assets and liabilities, supplying copies of paperwork on tax returns, mortgages, and others. Tell your lawyer, too, if you have pending lawsuits, bankruptcy proceedings, etc.
Expenses
Get an explanation how legal expenses are calculated, your lawyer's billing and collection policies (or the ones from his firm), the rates, retainer figures, along with other extraneous expenses.
Be frank to inquire about ballpark figures of estimated costs.
Good client
It will work to your advantage if you can do all of the above. It is not easy to do all of them, given the stressful circumstances.
Nonetheless, doing your very best in preparing yourself and your legal representative for your divorce proceedings is already winning half the battle.
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