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When meeting with your lawyer, it is crucial to make the most of that time. In order to do so, being prepared is the best way to have an efficient consultation.
What to Bring to Your Consultation
Preparing to Meet With Your Family Law Attorney
Before you initial meeting with your family law attorney, it is important to gather necessary documents and information to bring with you. Here are a few items to consider bringing to your first meeting with your lawyer:
Contact Information
You should provide a lawyer contact information for you and your spouse. This includes home address, work address, employer’s name and address, mobile phone number, work phone number, fax number and email address.
Relevant Documents
In addition to learning about your background and purpose for seeking legal counsel, you will need to provide your lawyer documents for further information and evidence to help make your case. Here are a documents you should provide:
Financial Documents (loans, bank statements, income tax returns, wills, trusts, investment accounts, retirement savings, real estate documentation, estate planning documents)
Debt information (list of debts, mortgage statements, personal loan statements, car loans or lease information)
Legal Documents (pre- or postnuptial agreements, protective orders, information pertaining to your children including birth certificates)
List of questions pertinent to your case
Evidence
Basically, any relevant information as to why you are seeking a divorce. For example, if there is abuse, bring photos, hospital bills and police reports.
Preparing to Meet With Your Estate Planning Attorney
In order to have an efficient consultation with your estate planning attorney, it’s important to know what to expect and what to bring with you. During the first few meetings, you and your attorney will discuss your finances, family, goals and concerns. Below is a list of documents to bring with you to help the process go smoothly.
- Recent bank, investment and retirement account statements
- The deed to your house
- Marital agreements
- Contact information for your other professional advisors such as your general practice attorney, financial advisor and insurance professionals
- A list of those you wish to name in positions of authority (i.e. trustees, guardians and executors)
- A list of your questions or concerns, as well as your estate planning goals
Preparing to Meet With Your Real Estate Attorney
When meeting with your real estate attorney, you will want to bring any relevant documents pertaining to your case. Here are a few documents you will want to present to your attorney during your consultation:
- Purchase agreement
- Homeowner insurance policies
- Property tax statements
- Leases
- Loan agreement
- Licenses
- Deeds of trust
- Mortgages
- Bank statements, canceled checks, money order receipts
- Wills and trusts
- A list of questions for your attorney and goals pertinent to your case
Read our blog to learn more or contact us today for a consultation.
Family Law You Can Trust
As a premiere family law firm in Chicago, our lawyers are here to serve clients with competence and compassion. We understand that domestic relation issues can be emotionally and financially devastating to the parties and their families.