What to Expect at Your First Divorce Consultation

A first divorce consultation is about getting clarity, not committing to anything. Here is what usually happens and how to prepare so the time is well spent.

What the meeting covers

Expect questions about your marriage, finances, children and goals. The attorney uses these to sketch your options and the road ahead.

You will get an honest overview of the process, likely timeline and the decisions you will need to make — not a hard sell.

How to prepare

Bring a basic picture of your finances: income, major assets, debts and any existing agreements. Even rough figures help.

Write down your questions and priorities in advance. It is easy to forget them once emotions are in the room.