It is in your best interest to be well prepared for initial consultations because many attorneys provide them either for free or for a charge that is not too expensive. Your prospective legal representative will provide you with a list of necessary documents, but if your personal or financial circumstances are very complex, they may require more information upfront.
You can make the most of the time you have for the consultation by having copies of all the relevant paperwork ready to discuss. This fast guide will offer a few essential documents that you may wish to bring along to provide your prospective legal team with a better picture of the aims and requirements that you have. It is preferable to arrive over-prepared rather than under-prepared, especially if the safety of yourself or your family is at stake.
Assets, Debts, Proof Of Income
Take note of any assets that your spouse may contest, such as bank accounts, retirement funds, businesses, investments, cars, boats, and homes. Purchase price and current value are both relevant pieces of information – but even more important is how much each spouse paid into the assets in question. If applicable, how do you use the assets? Were any inherited or owned before marriage?
Outstanding debts are complicated to deal with. Mortgages, student loans, and credit card debt… your prospective divorce attorney will want to know a little bit about these items. Bring along any documents necessary to establish proof of purchase price and remaining balance. Just as with the assets, try to make note of who contributed to which debts if you feel the differences are substantial enough to come up during mediation or litigation.
Bring over copies of the pay stubs from the previous three paychecks you’ve received. Make a note of the income that your spouse brings in, as well as any extra income that comes into the family (such as from grown children or your mother or father-in-law). Include current account statements with the amounts and information about who owns the account. In addition, it could be beneficial if you could provide copies of your tax returns for the prior few years.
Managing Your Documents
The organization is important. A flat-fee consultation offers very little time to get through the necessary information, and a consultation billed hourly will increase in price with every minute that goes toward finding the right documents. Start compiling your informational resources early and use an organization system that makes sense to you.
We suggest making enough copies for everybody on your legal team. Expect your spouse to request a copy of some of the documents. Take some time to visit Diving Legal Consultant for informational law videos, information, and ideas to give you an idea of the questions and situations to expect. This will help you decide which documents need the most attention.
The consultation is only the beginning; your domestic and financial paperwork is very likely going to form the basis of any divorce litigation or mediation attempts that are undertaken. When you find that you need these materials, you’ll be happy that you have them on hand.
A mountain of paperwork hides in the shadows of the intricate, emotionally taxing, and socially fraught dynamics of a divorce. It takes a lot of time to track down old financial records and compile all of the relevant information. You will be able to start taking preventative steps to repair and reenergize your life the sooner you can begin fighting the red tape of the discovery process and the sooner you can begin the process itself. Attorney at Law Kenya is a website that might be helpful for you.
