At the initial consultation at our office we will address the reason for you choosing to seek legal assistance and what course of action will need to be taken to most effectively protect your legal interests.   For instance, some clients have been served with papers and need immediate attention in filing a Response. Other clients may have a threatened or actual domestic violence or threatened withdrawal or transfer of assets that require an ex parte (without formal notice) order to be made without delays.  Other clients may be considering what legal action to file and want to know their legal rights and what the possible alternatives are.    

It is in the client's best interests to be prepared and obtain certain documents and have certain facts at hand. This will make it more expedient to represent their interests i.e. their tax returns, pay stubs, which will be addressed in more depth below. 

We will also address, what you can expect in terms of how long the process will take and how much it will cost.  Of course, each individuals case varies and the time and cost it takes depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to how contested the case is i.e. how far apart the respective parties are as to each issue, opposing counsel and the Court.

At our meeting we will want to know the following information:

·         Length of your marriage;

·         Number and ages of children;

·         What your financial situation is.  Whether or not you and your spouse are employed and your annual income;

·         Physical living arrangements. (Are the spouses living together and where do they reside?)

It is often important to review documents to make certain recommendations as documents can be used as evidence i.e. tax returns, pay stubs for support and for other issues.  Therefore, at the first meeting we recommend bringing certain preliminary documents for an initial review. 

We recommend bringing the following documents to your first interview:

·         Copies of any pleadings i.e. Summons, Petition or other documents that have been served on you.

·         Three years of the most recent tax returns.

·         Three months of both your and your spouses' pay stubs.

·         A preliminary listing of your assets, liabilities, and monthly income and expenses.

·         Any prenuptial, postnuptial, cohabitation or other Agreement[s] between the parties.