If you think you may be heading towards a divorce, it is never too early to talk to a divorce lawyer. Even if you are not ready to start the divorce itself, it is a good idea to get some information about what to expect. That includes what the process will look like, the kinds of documentation and other evidence may be needed, and the range of outcomes that you might see. It is also important to get early information about different dispute resolution options, as the way you start the divorce process can set the whole tone for how it proceeds.
The first step is to schedule an initial consultation with an attorney. This is an informational meeting and does not commit you to anything more. At that first meeting, the attorney will want to know more about your situation so that he or she can better answer questions and let you know what to expect.
You are also interviewing the attorney to make sure they seem like someone you would be comfortable working with. It is important that you have a lawyer who is a good fit for you. Not every lawyer is a good fit for every client. There may be differences in style, in values, or in personalities that get in the way of working well together.
Don’t put off talking to a lawyer because you think your case is going to be so simple that you won’t need a lawyer. Even if you don’t end up having an attorney represent you, it is always better to go into the process as educated as possible. Also, many cases that start out looking straight forward turn out to be less so as disagreements come up. You don’t want to find out too late that your case is headed to court and you are not properly prepared.