While divorce often turns out to the best choice, in the long run, it is rarely easy, and never any fun. Every marriage is different, and every relationship has its own set of unique problems. But there are still some standard steps you need to take if it looks like a divorce may be looming on the horizon. Obviously, one of the first things to do is consult with an experienced divorce specialist. But it is also important to prepare ahead of time. The sooner you can provide your attorney with the following information the easier the process will be.

A List of Questions

Knowing what you want to ask in advance will keep you from forgetting to cover all your bases while you have your lawyer in front of you. Projected timeline, estimated costs and potential custody arrangements are just a few of the questions you will probably want to address.

Legal Documents

Bring any existing agreements that you know are directly relevant, like prenuptial or separation agreements. Also come with other relevant documents regarding children, previous disputes and existing legal arrangements.

Pay Stubs

In order to make any estimates regarding alimony or child support your lawyer will need to know about all sources of household income.

Tax Returns

Your tax returns will serve to both confirm the information on the pay stubs and give a better long-term picture of your financial situation. They are particularly important if either of you has recently changed jobs, as your lawyer will need to understand why the pay stubs don’t match up with the history.

Evidence

Not every divorce will be contentious or involve proof of wrongdoing by one or both parties. But if pertinent evidence does exist – of adultery, for example – your lawyer needs to know about it, regardless of whether it will ultimately affect the outcome.

No one wants to find themselves in a situation where they are considering a divorce, but when they do it is important to be as prepared as possible. Providing the expert legal team at Randy Kaplan Law Offices with detailed information in advance can make the process faster and more efficient.

What Your Lawyer Needs to Help With Your Divorce