Divorce signature, marriage dissolution document.

What to Expect When Meeting with A Divorce Lawyer

We get it. No one wants to end up in our office; but knowing what to expect and how we will treat you can make your first meeting less painful. So, without further ado, here is what to expect when meeting with a divorce lawyer (with some practical tips to help you make the most of your consultation):

Understanding, Professionalism, and Confidentiality

When you walk into our office, you have nothing to be ashamed of. We know what you are going through, and we spend each and every day helping people through situations similar to yours. Nevertheless, we understand that every case is different – and that every person who comes to us has unique goals. We are here to help you achieve yours, and we do so by taking a holistic approach to your case and providing you with personalized attention and honest, straightforward legal advice.

If you aren’t sure whether you’re ready to get divorced, that’s okay, too! We are here to give you the information you need so you can make the decision that works best for you and your family. Everything we discuss is 100% confidential.

Answers (But No Guarantees)

We expect you to come into our office with questions, and we have answers. As we answer your questions, we will use clear and careful language. No question is “silly” to us, and we will explain the legal process to you without excessive legal jargon. During your initial consultation, our goal is to help you understand your rights and legal options. We will also take the time to get to know you as a client and begin building a working relationship.

Of course, you might have questions about more than just the legal process. By that, we mean, you will – and should – have questions about us.

Expect to get answers about our fees, the billing rate for our attorneys and staff, an estimate of our total cost, and everything related to how much you will pay for our time.

You can also ask about our experience, how much of our practice is devoted to family law (hint: all of it), and if we have handled cases like yours before. Although much of this information is online, we do not mind telling you again – and browsing our website can help you ask even more in-depth questions during your consultation.

For example, you might want to know more about our legal strategy and how we approach the cases we handle. At Fenchel Family Law PC, we take a holistic approach, and our goal is to help you take your life back. We will work closely with your spouse and their legal team and cooperatively whenever possible, but we are not afraid to stand up for you when the need arises.

Naturally, you may also want to know what the outcome of your case will be. While we cannot see into the future and we cannot make any guarantees, we can and will work diligently on your behalf and do everything possible to make the future you are trying to build a reality.

Ask us about property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support. Ask us anything you need answers about. Your consultation is your time, and you should leave our office with a better understanding of your case and answers to all your questions.

What to Bring to Your Initial Consultation

Preparation can help you make the most of your initial consultation. When you schedule your meeting with us, we will ask you for certain documents and information. Although you do not need to provide this information over the phone, we do ask that you bring it with you during your first consultation.

We might ask you to bring:

  • A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if you have one)
  • Copies of your financial records
  • Health insurance information
  • Employment records
  • Identifying information about you and your spouse
  • A basic description of your marriage
  • Information about any children you have with your spouse

Most of all, you need to be ready to talk about your personal life with a stranger. While we won’t be strangers for long, we realize that our first meeting takes a lot of trust and bravery. You may want to write down important dates and talking points, as having a written account of your situation and your goals will make it easier to tell us about them!

Like we said earlier, every client is different, so if you want to know what to bring or how to prepare for your initial consultation, simply give us a call and ask.

Our legal team is available at (415) 805-9069, and if you feel more comfortable, you can also send us a message online.

How to Choose the Right Lawyer

You may have to meet with a few different divorce attorneys before you find the right one. Look for an attorney who you feel comfortable with and someone who is trusted within your community. Remember that you and your lawyer will be working as a team throughout the divorce process, so you need someone you can trust every step of the way.

Of course, our attorneys at Fenchel Family Law PC want to be that someone for you, but we understand that everyone must choose their divorce attorney for themselves.

Meet with us and a few other attorneys, then follow your instincts. If you’re looking for a holistic approach, call us at (415) 805-9069 today.

We look forward to getting to know you – and hopefully handling your case!

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