Meeting with a Family Law Attorney

Meeting with a family law attorney can be a nerve-racking experience, but it shouldn’t be.

Many people worry about what it really means to meet with a divorce attorney. Oftentimes, the biggest concern is whether or not their spouse will find out. People worry what others will think, and that if they meet with an attorney, they have no options left and are headed straight for divorce.

This is simply not the case. It is true that most of the time when people contact a family law attorney, they have decided to separate and want to formally move forward with the divorce process. Yet there are other reasons to schedule that initial appointment.

If you are experiencing a rough-patch in your relationship you may want to know what options are available, or you may want to ask an attorney if a divorce is legally and/or financially best for your situation. While an attorney may never advise someone to stay in an abusive or high-conflict relationship to avoid the impact of a divorce, attorneys will explicitly lay out the process of divorce and allow a client to decide the best course of action.

Another situation in which people wish to meet with an attorney is when they need to address a legal or financial matter while maintaining their marriage. In these circumstances, a post-nuptial agreement may be an option. For example, a spouse may be concerned about debt the other spouse has accrued, and while they may intend to stay married, the spouse may want to gain peace of mind learning how much, if any, of their loved one’s debt is not their burden.

Lastly, clients meet with family law attorneys for their knowledge and resources. When debating whether to stay or go, clients want to be educated and need access to professionals who can guide them through the process. Family law attorneys often know reputable financial advisers, experienced counselors and other relationship professionals who can offer guidance. Family law attorneys can also steer people in the right direction if they are in need of a forensic accountant or a private investigator if they have suspicions about matters in their marriage.

If you have never dealt with legal representation, consulting with an attorney can seem intimidating. But the attorney’s goal is to put you at ease and help educate you on your available options, unique to your situation.

For more information about family law or to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney, contact the attorneys at Alperstein & Diener.