How to Prepare for a Free Divorce Consultation in Texas

Many divorce attorneys, including those at The Larson Law Office, offer a free divorce consultation to prospective clients. A consultation can be a great way to get several questions answered about your divorce before you take the leap of filing or responding to your spouse’s petition. If you take the opportunity for a free consultation, you want to make sure you are organized and ready with good questions.

This article outlines ways to prepare for a free divorce consultation in Texas so that you can make the most of the experience. And when you are ready to consult an attorney, think about The Larson Law Office. We are experienced and customize our representation to each client’s unique needs.

Understand the Basics of What Your Divorce Will Cover

Once you or your spouse initiates a divorce, you want to make sure you know your goals. What issues do courts address during divorce proceedings? Knowing the issues is the first step to deciding what you want to achieve, and is a jumping off point for negotiations. You and your spouse will want to attempt to agree on these issues to save money and time. If you cannot agree, a judge will address the following issues.

Division of property. Your marital assets and debts need to be fairly split between you and your spouse. This division of assets can include insurance proceeds and retirement benefits.
Child custody. If you share one or more minor children with your spouse, the court will decide who each child will live with, visitation schedules, and which parent will have the right to make certain decisions about the child’s life.
Child support. When the court makes decisions about child custody, it will also make decisions about which parent has child support obligations. After deciding who pays, the court will determine the amount and duration of those obligations.
Alimony or spousal maintenance. Alimony isn’t automatic in a Texas divorce, but a spouse who asks for it may have a right to receive it. If either spouse requests support, the court looks at your circumstances to determine whether to grant maintenance and in what amount.
Name changes. If you want to return to the name you had before your divorce, you can request it in your divorce filings. You may be able to change your name after the divorce, but changing your name during divorce proceedings can be easier.
Protective orders. If you or your child is the survivor of family violence committed by your spouse, the court can order your spouse to stay away from you and your child during and after divorce proceedings.

Now that you know the basics of the typical divorce decree, you can better understand your priorities for your divorce and focus on those during your consultation.

List the Assets and Debts You Know About

Start to review and list what you and your spouse owe and own. And if you can, gather financial documents that show your debts and assets. Knowing this information for your free divorce consultation in TX can help the attorney better understand your financial needs. With this initial financial information, the attorney can let you know what to expect before and after your divorce is final.

Compiling your financial information prior to the consultation can also help you identify what you don’t understand about your or your spouse’s financial situation. An attorney can help you fill in these blanks and gauge your legal needs.

List Your Childcare Needs

Texas courts make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child. Before meeting with a lawyer, you may want to contemplate and write down the following:

What type of custody arrangement you want;
Your child’s medical, education, and personal needs;
Where you excel and struggle as a parent;
Where your spouse excels and struggles as a parent;
Any circumstances you believe threaten your child’s well-being;
Your scheduling needs as a parent;
Where you would like to live;
Where you would like your child to live; and
Who you do and do not want around your child and why.

If you have medical, education, employment, or police records that reflect the above-listed matters, familiarize yourself with this information.

List Your Future Financial Needs and Past Contributions to the Marriage

While alimony or spousal support is not a given in Texas, you might be entitled to spousal support payments if you lack earning capacity and if you have been married for more than ten years. Spousal support-related matters to think about and list before a consultation include:

Your job history,
Your education history,
Your earning capacity,
Your healthcare needs,
Your physical or mental limitations,
Your financial resources, and

These matters can help to prove your right to spousal support and assist in your arguments for receiving larger payments.

Schedule a Free Divorce Consultation in Texas Today

The Larson Law Office is all about educating and empowering any client who seeks our counsel. And every client we represent receives highly personalized representation that includes creative solutions for their unique needs. We are top-rated among our clients and have decades of experience. Contact us online or call us today.