I Am Thinking About Divorce. What Should I Organize Before Talking to a Lawyer?

Thinking about divorce can feel like standing in front of a long list of unknowns. You may be worried about money, property, children, housing, support, or what happens if your spouse does not agree. You do not need to solve all of those issues before speaking with a lawyer. The goal is to organize enough information for an attorney to understand your situation.

In California, divorce is a legal way to end a marriage or domestic partnership, and a divorce case can involve decisions about money, property, debts, children, and support. If you are considering divorce, a free consultation may help you understand what information may matter and what questions to ask next.

Prime Attorneys can help connect you with attorneys who may be able to review your family law situation. Call or contact us for a free consult.

Start with the basic relationship facts

Before talking to a lawyer, write down the basic facts: when you got married, whether you are separated, whether either spouse has already filed anything in court, whether there are children, and whether any urgent issues exist. If you have received court papers, save the full packet and note the date you received it.

If you are unsure whether you meet California divorce requirements or what court process applies, do not guess. Simply explain your living situation, county, marriage date, and current circumstances during the consultation.

Organize financial information if you can

Divorce often involves financial disclosure and decisions about property, debts, income, and support. California Courts describe the divorce process as including the sharing of financial information and decisions about property, debts, children, and support.

Useful financial information may include recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, retirement account statements, mortgage or lease information, credit card statements, loan information, business records, and insurance information. You do not need to have everything perfect before the first conversation, but having a few key documents can help.

If children are involved

If you have children, think about the current parenting arrangement. Where do the children live? What is the schedule? Who handles school drop-offs, medical appointments, childcare, extracurricular activities, and expenses? Are there disagreements about parenting time or decision-making?

The attorney may also ask whether there are any existing custody, visitation, or support orders. If there are, save the full order and any related court papers.

Write down your main concerns

Many people go into a divorce consultation with a dozen worries at once. It can help to write down the three to five things you most need to understand. For example, you may be worried about staying in the home, protecting your relationship with your children, understanding support, dealing with debt, or responding to papers.

A consultation is more useful when the attorney understands what is most urgent to you.

How Prime Attorneys can help

If you are thinking about divorce and do not know where to start, Prime Attorneys can help connect you with attorneys who may be able to review your situation. Call or contact us for a free consult.

FAQ

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• Family Law Questions: What to Organize Before Speaking With an Attorney
• What Information Should I Have Ready Before Speaking With a Family Law Attorney?
• What Questions Should I Ask During a Free Family Law Consultation?
• How Can an Attorney Referral Service Help With a Family Law Matter?
• What Is an Attorney Referral Service?

Helpful Sources

• California Courts — Divorce in California
• California Courts — Divorce Process
• California Courts — Child Custody and Parenting Time