What to Bring to Your Intake Meeting With a Divorce Lawyer
Being prepared can save time, reduce stress, and help your lawyer protect your interests from day one.
Meeting with a divorce lawyer for the first time can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with uncertainty about your family, finances, and future all at once. One of the best ways to take back a sense of control is to come prepared.
Below is a practical, plain-English guide to what you should bring to your initial intake meeting with a divorce lawyer, and why each item matters.
1. Basic Personal Information
Your lawyer will need a clear picture of who’s involved.
Bring:
- Full legal names for you and your spouse
- Dates of birth
- Date and place of marriage
- Date of separation (if applicable)
- Current addresses and contact information
If you’re not sure about exact dates, don’t worry, estimates are okay for the first meeting.
2. Information About Children (If Any)
If you have children together, this is a critical part of the conversation.
Bring:
- Children’s names and dates of birth
- School and daycare information
- Any existing parenting schedule
- Details about special needs, medical issues, or extracurricular activities
This helps your lawyer start thinking about parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, and child support under Illinois law.
3. Financial Documents (What You Have, Not Everything)
You do not need to bring every document you own. Bring what’s easily available.
Helpful items include:
- Recent pay stubs (yours and your spouse’s, if available)
- Last 1–2 years of tax returns
- Bank account statements
- Retirement account statements (401(k), pension, IRA)
- Credit card statements
- Mortgage statements or lease agreements
These documents help your lawyer understand income, debts, and the overall financial picture.
4. Property and Asset Information
Even a rough list is helpful.
Bring information about:
- The marital home and other real estate
- Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats)
- Businesses or side hustles
- Major assets (investment accounts, valuable personal property)
You don’t need appraisals yet, just identify what exists.
5. Existing Court Orders or Legal Documents
If anything has already happened legally, your lawyer needs to see it.
Bring:
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
- Prior court orders
- Existing parenting agreements
- Orders of protection (if applicable)
These documents can significantly affect your options moving forward.
6. A Written List of Questions and Concerns
This may be the most important item.
Write down:
- Your biggest concerns or fears
- What outcomes matter most to you
- Any immediate issues (access to money, housing, children)
It’s easy to forget things during an emotional meeting, having notes keeps the conversation focused on what matters most to you.
7. An Open and Honest Mindset
You don’t need to have all the answers. Your lawyer’s job is to guide you.
Be prepared to:
- Be honest, even about uncomfortable topics
- Listen to realistic advice
- Ask questions when something isn’t clear
The intake meeting is about information, strategy, and next steps, not judgment.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be perfectly organized to meet with a divorce lawyer. Bringing what you can, and being honest about what you don’t have yet, is more than enough to get started.
If you have questions about preparing for a divorce or want guidance tailored to your situation, contact the Law Office of Jonathan W. Cole P.C. at (708) 529-7794 — Your Neighborhood Law Firm.
📞 (708) 529-7794 | Law Office of Jonathan W. Cole P.C. — “Your Neighborhood Law Firm.”
