When you apply for divorce, you will be automatically hiring an experienced divorce attorney to take care of your case. You will find many names that can work for you with your divorce case and can get you a very well sorted out compensation for the rest of your life.
Most of the divorce attorneys get the work done through their assistants. The interns or other such inexperienced assistants, who work under the experienced divorce attorneys will handle all the work such as meeting the clients, listening to what the clients have to say, how to proceed further in the case, collecting the necessary documents, and so on. However, some attorneys prefer working directly on the case and also meeting their clients face-to-face.
If you are also looking for a divorce attorney, who can work your case as required, then all you have to do is visit the official webpage of Michael C. Craven, the famous divorce attorney in Chicago. This Chicago divorce lawyer can help you work systematically in your case along with making sure that your child will get the best result out of your divorce. Visit their webpage to know more.
What to Carry while Meeting Your Divorce Attorney
Here are some of the things that you need to have with you when you plan a consultation with the divorce attorney.
· Your Case File
If you already had an attorney who worked on your case before, then that particular lawyer will have prepared a case file of your divorce case. You need to carry that particular file to your new attorney. However, if the lawyer that you are meeting is a new one, then this lawyer will help you with building a detailed case file that covers all information as required for the case.
· A Friend or a Family Member
Having a family member or even a friend is the best choice while planning to meet any divorce attorney for the first time. This will offer a sense of moral support for you and you can stay assured that they will have your back.
· Previous Court Orders and Pleadings
If your divorce case is already filed and have had some hearings, then you need to collect all the documents regarding those hearings. You can get them through the computer centers that work in alliance with the court orders and hearings.
· Recent Pay Stubs and 5 Copies
You should have the last pay stub copy of the year so that your lawyer will get the year-to-date numbers.
· Salient Evidence
Every divorce will be because of a particular reason. If you have enough documents and paperwork that can prove your reason for the divorce, then it is a bonus in the case. The evidence can be the text messages or the screenshots of the text messages, photocopies of the reason, and so on.
· Tax Returns of the Previous Two Years
You should get your tax returns if you have filed for the tax and the tax return documents of your spouse as well if you have any with you. Bringing 1099, W2s and K-1s will also work in your favor.
· Financial Affidavit
You will get the affidavit form from the divorce attorney and you need to fill it with all the necessary details as required.
· Your Questions’ List
You will surely have some questions that need answering from an experienced source. You can get answers to all your questions from an experienced source. Hence, make a list containing all your questions before visiting any experienced divorce attorney’s office.
Other Things
Other preparations that need to be taken care of before visiting a divorce attorney’s office are listed below.
· Understand what you own
Make a list of all the properties that you and your spouse own. The things that you own can include financial accounts, assets, etc., and everything else that you have. You should make a list of the not-so-obvious assets as well such as pension plans, artwork, belongings and inheritances, and so on.
· What You Owe
Marital debt will normally be split between both spouses. Hence, make a list of the money and other things that you owe. With the help of credit reports, you can easily understand what you owe. However, you need to obtain the bank statements and necessary documents that can prove the things that you owe.
Eligibility for Divorce
Not all married couples can apply for a divorce as soon as they feel like they need to call quits. You need to be a resident of that particular state for a certain time duration. Both or any one of the spouses should be a resident of that particular state at least 90 days before the application for the divorce.
Divorce and the Grounds
Some grounds need to be cleared before the application for the divorce. You and your spouse can go your separate ways under no-fault or fault grounds. If you plan to apply for a no-fault divorce, then you can just assert the irretrievable breakdown of your marriage.
Child Support and Best Interests
Divorce, when a child is involved, can become quite difficult for a child or children. Every state has come up with divorce laws that are formulated in the best interest of the children that are involved in a divorce case.
The main factors that are considered while formulating the divorce laws include the safety, the health of the child, the social and emotional development of the child, and also the well-being of the child.
Documents to Prepare for a Divorce Case
Here are some of the documents that should be prepared beforehand while applying for a separation.
- The original documents, which includes the identification document as well.
- Marriage certificate and proof of the marriage such as wedding invitation or photographs.
Before hiring any divorce lawyer, it is strictly suggested to do your part of the research thoroughly. You cannot settle with the first name that pops up in the search tool and should do thorough background research to make sure that the lawyer you have hired can do justice for your case.