What to bring to your divorce consultation

Your appointment may be the first time you've tried to explain the whole situation out loud. A page of notes gives you somewhere to start and helps you remember what you wanted to ask.

Ask the office what it needs

Before the appointment, confirm its length, cost and document requirements. Ask how to share files securely. Different firms handle initial meetings differently; use their instructions to narrow your preparation.

The American Bar Association recommends checking consultation fees in advance and asking about the lawyer's experience, staffing and billing arrangements. ABA guide

Write down the facts you can explain briefly

Make a timeline with your marriage date, separation date if applicable, and any filings or scheduled hearings. Include your state and county. Flag deadlines at the top so you can discuss them immediately.

For financial questions, list your income, regular expenses, assets and debts. Label uncertain figures as estimates. If parenting is part of the discussion, note the current schedule and the arrangements you want to ask about.

Organized records, a chronology and clear priorities are consistent with the Volusia County Bar Association's preparation guidance. First-meeting guide

Gather the paperwork the office requests

Potentially useful items include court papers, income records, recent account statements and written agreements. Tell the office what you have and what is missing. Ask which dates or periods it needs covered before compiling a large folder.

Keep a simple document index:

Bring the questions you want answered

Put your most pressing concern first. You might ask what needs immediate attention, which options suit your circumstances, and what information is still missing.

Ask who would do the work, how billing works and which expenses are additional. Before leaving, clarify the next step and whether you have hired the firm or are still considering your options.

Copy this appointment preparation sheet

• Appointment date and time: ______
• Consultation fee confirmed: ______
• Office's requested documents: ______
• My main concern: ______
• Dates or deadlines to discuss: ______
• Facts I'm confident about: ______
• Information I still need: ______
• Questions about fees and communication: ______
• Notes from the meeting: ______
• Agreed next step and person responsible: ______

Keep this sheet in your own private notes. You do not need to submit your case details to use it.

Use calculator estimates as discussion notes

If you explore numbers with Self Help Divorce's state tools, keep a record of what you entered. Bring those inputs with the estimate and ask the attorney which assumptions apply to your situation.

You can view the calculator results immediately and choose to email yourself a copy. A calculator estimate does not establish what a court will order. This checklist is general preparation information; your attorney can explain the rules and deadlines that apply to your case.