You’ve decided to pursue a divorce and end your marriage, and you feel many emotions. You’re anxious about the transition, sad about the end of your marriage, and wondering how it will feel to work with a divorce attorney.
You’ve never been through a divorce before (or it’s been a while), and you’re not sure where to start.
In this post, we’ll discuss what to expect when you hire a divorce attorney.
Let’s dive in.
Your First Meeting With a Divorce Lawyer in Pensacola
Divorce is a very emotional time, and it’s normal to feel many different emotions. While there’s no one-size-fits-all equation for what you’ll experience during a divorce, many people experience sadness, anxiety, anger, or hurt.
Some people even go through a bout of depression that requires them to seek professional help. There may be fighting at home or upsets with your daily routine and parenting schedule.
Divorce lawyers know this, and the good ones will work to help you feel comfortable throughout this time of change.
Here are a few things to expect when you sit down with your divorce lawyer for the first time:
Compassion
Your attorney specializes in divorces, which means they’ve seen this process many times before. In fact, your divorce attorney may have even experienced a divorce in their personal lives. While attorneys are not therapists, your attorney will be sensitive to your emotional state and take steps to help you navigate the process.
Information
Once you feel comfortable with your attorney, you’ll get down to brass tacks. Your attorney should explain the situation and the process to you, and give you actionable next steps that will help you feel in control.
Guidance
No two divorces are the same, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting through a separation. When you hire a divorce attorney, they will evaluate your unique situation and help you understand what to do next, what to avoid, and what to expect.
Competence
Last but certainly not least, your attorney should be competent, and should demonstrate that competence clearly to you.
Your attorney should offer reviews, testimonials, and references, as well as access to state bar associations, which will allow you to check for past cases of professional misconduct or client complaints. If you have special needs, like an international custody situation, make sure the attorney’s experience matches and supports those needs.
Remember that the divorce attorney you hire works for you. You should feel comfortable and safe with your attorney and tirelessly advocated for. Do not settle for an attorney that does not make you feel these things.
Divorce is a difficult experience, and your attorney should be a stalwart advocate, prepared to defend your best interests–not another relationship that feels hard.
6 Things You Can Do to Improve the Attorney/Client Relationship
While you may be focusing primarily on the dissolution of one relationship—your marriage—it’s important to remember that the decision to hire a divorce attorney represents the formation of another relationship.
To improve and enhance that relationship, here are a few things you can do:
1. Be transparent
Your attorney can’t help you if they don’t understand what’s going on. With that in mind, it’s important to prioritize honesty in your relationship with your attorney. The details of your marriage are important–and confidential—in your attorney/client relationship, and can help avoid complicating factors in your divorce.
2. Stay organized
Dissolving a life with another person involves a lot of paperwork, logistics, and details. As such, it’s important to stay organized as much as possible.
Gather paperwork or evidence in a timely fashion, and keep it in a place where it’s easy for you and your attorney to access and sort through. Keep in mind that everyone does this differently—you could use a set of folders to organize paperwork, digitize and upload documents, or keep everything in boxes at your office.
3. Ask questions
If there’s something you don’t understand, ask your attorney about it. A good attorney/client relationship should go both ways and should provide you with plenty of space to be open about your thoughts and feelings, ask questions, and seek answers. Asking questions only helps you clarify the process and avoid discomfort.
4. Seek help
If you find that you’re having trouble processing the emotions associated with your divorce, reach out for external help. Talk to a trusted friend or confidant, or hire a professional therapist to help you navigate the process. Divorces can be long and contentious, and caring for yourself throughout will only make it more accessible.
5. Know what you want
Divorce is ultimately about shaping your future life. Instead of getting caught up in the divorce drama, focus on what you want in the long term.
What do you want your financial situation to look like, for example? How do you want to parent your children? Think about what you expect from your ex in the future, and find ways to communicate that to your attorney now.
6. Be patient
It’s natural to want to wrap up your divorce proceedings as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually possible. Instead of trying to rush the process, be patient and allow your divorce attorney to do their job.
Not only will this make the process simpler and more manageable, but it will help you avoid problematic frustration and angst, and streamline the process as much as possible and help you avoid divorce mistakes.
Whatever you do, keep the lines of communication open with your attorney. It will improve your relationship and help them handle your case more efficiently.
When it Comes to Dissolving Your Marriage, MGM Law is Here for You
Choosing to hire a divorce attorney can be a complicated, difficult process that can be emotionally trying. Fortunately, we make it easier for clients like you.
Here at MGM Law, our team specializes in helping people like you navigate the breakup of a marriage while also protecting your best interests and keeping your ideal future at heart.
If you’re looking for a divorce lawyer in Pensacola, contact our team today. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
