Why Should I Contact A Divorce Lawyer Before Filing?

Divorces are emotional and complex legal proceedings. At their core, in divorces, two parties try to come to an agreement, if possible, and if they cannot, the court will resolve the dispute. It is important to be strategic about a divorce. You should be prepared for what could potentially lie ahead. Thus, it is vital to contact a divorce attorney early on in the process so you can develop a plan for how best to proceed.

If you are the party filing for divorce
If you plan on filing for divorce, you should reach out to a divorce attorney before speaking with your spouse about your intentions. Your attorney can advise you about good ways to approach your spouse and explain any steps you should take before speaking with them.

If your spouse already filed for divorce
If your spouse already filed for divorce, you will want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Generally, when your spouse files for a divorce, you have a limited amount of time to respond. You can almost certainly request an extension of time. Reaching out to an attorney quickly is critical.

What to do before meeting with an attorney
Regardless of whether you are initiating the divorce or responding to a spouse’s filing, you will want to think about the things that are important to you and create a list of questions for your divorce attorney. This can help guide the discussion and will help your attorney understand what they can do to represent your interests throughout the process best.