Meeting Your Child Custody Attorney for the First Time

Fait & DiLima, LLP
July 29, 2021

How to Prepare to Meet Your Child Custody Attorney

Most people experience feelings of nervousness during their initial meetings with their attorney — especially when it involves child custody orders. While it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, or even reluctant before your meeting, we have tips to help you prepare and ease doubts you may have about going to your consultation.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for your first meeting with your attorney and what you should be prepared to discuss.

Prepare for Your Initial Consultation

Usually, before your potential attorney begins working on your case, you will be asked to schedule an initial consultation. This consultation is the first step in preparing for your custody case. Your consultation depends on how far you are in your divorce case.

This gives your attorney the opportunity to introduce themselves to you, give a history of their background in family law, and provide input on how you can move forward with your case.

Gather Documents for Your Attorney

If you’re satisfied with your consultation and you like your attorney, you should bring documents with you to help move your case forward, such as:

Copies of your prenuptial agreement, if you have one.
A breakdown of your child-related expenses and household budget.
Information about you and your children’s education.
If your spouse wants your kids to move, school records, report cards, any evidence of your child’s educational progress and stability.
Information about your child’s medical expenses and coverage.

After you and your attorney have gone over documents and have discussed if any other documents and information are needed, to build your case, you should have a list of questions you want to ask.

Ask Questions

One of the most helpful things you can do for yourself and your attorney is come prepared with questions. You can make notes on your phone, or even write them down and bring them with you to your consultation.

Here are some questions to ask your attorney:

What is your attorney’s experience in child custody?
How do child custody and visitation laws work in your state?
What are your options moving forward?
How will the firm act as a team while handling your case?

After you ask your attorney all of the necessary questions, you can go home with a greater understanding of what to expect once your case begins.

Rockville Child Custody Attorneys

You’ll know when you have met the right attorney for you! At Fait & DiLima, LLP, we have a team of experienced attorneys who work in all aspects of family law! We can help you prepare documents, answer questions, give you valuable legal advice, and work with you to get the results you want.