Starting Over
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
first meeting with a divorce lawyer tomorrow...what should I ask?
I want to be sure I don't forget anything, as this lawyer charges a $5,000 retainer. What types of questions should I be sure to ask tomorrow?
Re: first meeting with a divorce lawyer tomorrow...what should I ask?
Billing is a good question to ask--how much he charges per hour. If he is a partner, an associate will charge less per hour so you can request the associate does the work (meaning you can get more work done for the same amount of money).
Timeline for filing and court dates (in my state some counties have a longer wait in the courts and since I could have filed in two different counties, I chose the more efficient one).
How long he anticipates your divorce will take. Options for mediation?
-Billing - do you pay monthly or at the end? How flexible is he/she with taking payments? Does he need it all in one lump sum (your bills, not the retainer).
-Retainer - Do you get a contract at the time you pay? What is the money used for? If he doesn't use all the money in escrow, will that money be applied to your final bill (mine was! It was awesome).
- How long is the divorce process?
- What can you expect?
- Will you need to go to court or have witnesses of any kind?
- Would he recommend a separation agreement?
- Property agreement?
- If you have joint finances, ask how to proceed.
- If you have kids, ask about custody and joint custody.
- Ask about worst case scenarios - will interrogatories be needed?
- How involved do you need to be (do you need to go to court, or can he do it on your behalf?)
- If one of you moved out, ask about changing the locks - getting your stuff back, etc.
- Alimony (if applicable).
Go in with a list of questions, take good notes, leave with a clear idea of what comes next. Bring copies of tax returns, bank statements, retirement accounts, and all other financial papers.