What to Expect During Your First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney

Your first meeting with a divorce attorney is an important step in understanding your options and beginning to plan for your future. Many people feel nervous before this consultation—that's completely normal. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and make the most of your time with the attorney.

Before the Consultation

Gather Key Documents

While you don't need to have everything organized perfectly, bringing relevant documents helps the attorney understand your situation more quickly. Consider gathering:

• **Financial documents:**
• Recent tax returns (2-3 years if available)
• Pay stubs or proof of income
• Bank account statements
• Investment and retirement account statements
• Mortgage documents or lease agreements
• Credit card statements
• Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements

• **Family information:**
• Marriage certificate
• Children's birth certificates
• Any existing court orders
• Communication records if there are concerns

Don't worry if you can't access everything—many people don't have complete records when they first consult an attorney. Bring what you can.

Write Down Your Questions

Before your meeting, take time to think about what you most want to know. Common questions include:

• How long might my divorce take?
• What's the likely outcome regarding custody?
• How will our property be divided?
• Will I receive or pay spousal support?
• What are your fees and how do you bill?
• Who will handle my case day-to-day?

Having written questions ensures you don't forget important concerns in the moment.

Prepare a Brief Summary

• Consider writing a one-page summary of your marriage and current situation. Include:
• When you married
• Whether you have children and their ages
• Major assets and debts
• Your employment situation
• Your spouse's employment situation
• Any immediate concerns (safety, finances, etc.)

This helps the attorney quickly understand the key facts.

During the Consultation

What the Attorney Will Ask

Expect questions about:

• **Your marriage:**
• How long have you been married?
• What's your relationship like now?
• Have you discussed divorce with your spouse?
• Is there any history of domestic violence?

• **Your children:**
• How old are they?
• What are their routines and needs?
• What custody arrangement would you like?
• How is your spouse as a parent?

• **Your finances:**
• What are your major assets?
• What debts do you have?
• What does each spouse earn?
• Are there any business interests?

Be honest. Attorneys need accurate information to advise you properly, and everything you share is confidential.

What the Attorney Should Explain

A good attorney will help you understand:

• **The process:**
• How divorce works in Colorado
• Likely timeline for your case
• What steps are involved
• Options for resolution (uncontested, mediation, litigation)

• **Likely outcomes:**
• How property might be divided
• Custody considerations
• Support possibilities
• What factors will matter most

• **Costs and fees:**
• How they charge (hourly, flat fee, retainer)
• Estimated total cost for your case
• What affects cost
• Payment options

Questions to Ask the Attorney

Beyond your case-specific questions, consider asking:

• **About their practice:**
• How long have you practiced family law?
• What percentage of your practice is family law?
• Will you personally handle my case?
• How do you communicate with clients?

• **About your case:**
• What approach do you recommend?
• What are my strongest and weakest points?
• What should I be doing now?
• What are the biggest issues we'll need to address?

• **About costs:**
• What's your hourly rate?
• What retainer do you require?
• How do you handle cost overruns?
• What can I do to keep costs down?

Red Flags to Watch For

Not every attorney is the right fit for every client. Be cautious if an attorney:

• **Guarantees specific outcomes** - No one can guarantee results in divorce
• **Pushes for aggressive litigation** when it may not be necessary
• **Speaks poorly of all opposing counsel** or other attorneys
• **Doesn't listen** to your concerns or goals
• **Is hard to reach** or unresponsive even during the initial process
• **Is unclear about fees** or evasive about costs
• **Makes you uncomfortable** for any reason

Trust your instincts. The attorney-client relationship is important, and you should feel comfortable with the person representing you.

After the Consultation

What to Do Next

After meeting with an attorney:

1. **Review your notes** while the conversation is fresh
2. **Consider the fit** - Did you feel heard? Comfortable?
3. **Compare options** if you're meeting with multiple attorneys
4. **Make a decision** based on experience, approach, cost, and comfort
5. **Ask follow-up questions** if needed before committing

If You're Not Ready to Hire an Attorney

That's okay. Many people need time to process information and make decisions. A good attorney will understand this. In the meantime:

• Don't make major financial decisions
• Don't move money or assets around
• Don't badmouth your spouse to children
• Do continue documenting important information
• Do take care of yourself

Making the Most of Your Consultation

Your first meeting with a divorce attorney is an opportunity to gather information and assess your options. Come prepared, ask questions, and pay attention to how you feel about the attorney's approach.

Remember: this person may guide you through one of life's most challenging transitions. Taking time to find the right fit is worthwhile.

If you're considering divorce and would like to schedule a consultation with our team, we offer a judgment-free environment where you can discuss your situation and understand your options. [Schedule a consultation](/schedule) to take the first step.