You may be wondering what is involved when choosing a divorce attorney in New Jersey. After your potential attorney is certain there are no conflicts that could prevent them representing you, an initial consultation, or meeting, will be scheduled.
Your first meeting with the attorney may only last 20 minutes. Knowing what to expect at this meeting can help you prepare and get the most out of your consultation.
Be prepared to talk about your divorce
Information about the divorce, why it is happening, how many children you have together and when you got married are all topics that may be covered. Answering these questions can give your potential divorce attorney an idea of the type of representation you will need and if they can offer it.
The attorney may also ask about any joint assets, which can include real estate property, stocks and bonds, retirement accounts and vehicles. They will also want to know about joint liabilities including loans, credit cards, and mortgages. This information will give them an idea of marital property that will need to be divided.
You may be asked where you and your spouse work and how much you both make. This will also be the time to notify the attorney if you and your spouse entered into prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
Be prepared to hear about potential obstacles
Your attorney should be up front about any potential obstacles or set-backs they may foresee with your case. These issues have potential to delay proceedings if both parties do not agree. They can include:
- Parenting responsibilities and custody
- Alimony or child support payments
- Distribution of assets
Be prepared to discuss the lawyer’s fees
Finally, your potential lawyer should go over their retaining costs, fees and other expenses involved in your divorce. This is a good time to discuss if you will be charged on an hourly basis or otherwise. You can inquire about billing and payment plans at this point.