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By Kenneth V. Mundy, Florida Family Law Attorney
Divorce is a very difficult and confusing time for all parties involved. Your divorce counsel is there to assist with the entire divorce process, provide support, engage in settlement negotiations, encourage a balanced outcome, and potentially provide representation at trial if an amicable resolution cannot be reached. If you are seeking a divorce lawyer, choosing one that is knowledgeable and experienced in family law is critical to obtaining a favorable result. This article discusses certain tasks that should be completed prior to speaking your prospective divorce counsel.
1. Bring All Your Questions About the Process
There are three types of questions that you should put together before contacting your divorce attorney. Preparing these different types of questions will help you obtain a more well-rounded view of the general process after discussing them with your attorney. The first type consists of questions about the overall divorce process, such as how the timeline will go, how to prepare mentally and emotionally, what information your attorney will need from you, and how many people will be working on your case in the office.
The second type of questions concern how communication will work with your attorney and how your case will be managed. For example, these questions include what is the best way to convey information with them and their staff, what approach will be employed when determining a strategy for your specific situation, among others.
The third type of questions should address the precise set of facts that apply to your marriage, known as situational questions. For example, asking if your divorce is one that warrants an alimony award, or if the former marital residence will need to be sold, are just a couple of illustrations.
2. Consider Bringing Pay Stubs
YYour attorney will need to know how much money both you and your spouse earn to get a better understanding of the financial aspect of your divorce. Pay stubs are the easiest way to accomplish this because they will be able to make accurate estimates on how much money may be awarded in for either alimony or child support if such issues are in dispute. We recommend that you provide the pay stubs from the last three (3) months and any other necessary paperwork to answer any questions regarding how much each spouse brought into the household on a monthly basis.
3. If You Have Tax Returns, Bring Them
Supplying your attorney with tax returns from prior years is an alternative to having three months of pay stubs. Tax returns are more comprehensive and more detailed, as compared to paystubs, because they provide a clearer picture of yearly income and the financial situations of both parties. If you need to obtain a copy of your tax return, you may do so online from the IRS website.
4. Bring Prenuptial Agreements and Other Documents Related to Your Marriage
If you entered a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement with your spouse, you should most certainly bring this document to your first meeting with your divorce attorney. These agreements are especially important in giving you detailed timelines and outlining the final expectations for all parties.
5. Domestic Violence Issues
If there are issues or a history of domestic violence in your marriage, it will be helpful to bring evidence of that violence, including photographs of injuries, police reports, photographs of damage to vehicles and/or the house, any petitions for domestic violence that may have been filed. Once again, a timeline of events is always helpful.
6. Child Custody Issues
Child custody disputes are unequivocally the toughest and most emotional that arise during divorce litigation. Communications between you and your spouse about the children and timesharing will quickly illustrate these challenges. Your children should be sheltered from the divorce as much as possible. Remember, the children did not ask for this, so limiting their exposure to your divorce as much as possible is the right thing to do.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you are looking for a Naples divorce attorney, Woodward Pires & Lombardo, P.A. focuses heavily on family law related issues and has decades of experience supporting people through these devastating situations. In addition to emotional support, we know the best practices for all parts of the process, such as valuation, expert witnesses, tax implications, evidence, and discovery. Our clients deem us as one of the best family law firms in Naples, Florida because we prioritize protecting our clients’ assets, financial rights, and familial concerns throughout each step of the legal process.
About the Author
Kenneth V. Mundy is a family law attorney with the law firm of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. He graduated summa cum laude from Ave Maria School of Law in 2016. Originally from New Jersey, Ken moved to Naples, Florida with his family in 1997 and continues to happily reside here with his wife, Taylor. Ken is a Certified Financial Litigator specializing in family and marital law, including but not limited to, complex divorces, child timesharing disputes, child support and alimony issues, relocation, paternity actions and domestic violence proceedings. Ken is also very involved in the community as he is on the Board of Directors for Meals of Hope and the Naples Junior Chamber, both of which are not-for-profit entities.
Kenneth V. Mundy
Naples Office:
3200 Tamiami Trail N, Ste 200
Naples, FL 34103
239-649-6555
Marco Island Office:
606 Bald Eagle Dr, Ste 500
Marco Island, Fl 34145
239-394-5161
