What Your Divorce Attorney Wishes You Knew Before Your First Meeting

Preparing for your first meeting with a divorce attorney can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect makes all the difference. This guide provides attorney insight on what to bring to the meeting, common misconceptions about how it will work, and how to get the most out of your consultation. 

Key Takeaways:

• Gather financial documents and a timeline of key events before your consultation.
• Be honest and thorough with your attorney, even about uncomfortable details.
• Your first meeting is about understanding your options, not making final decisions.

After years of representing clients through divorce, our attorneys at Johnson Ritchey Family Law have noticed a pattern. The clients who show up to our first meeting feeling confident and ready to take control of their case are the ones who already know what to expect from that first consultation. They walk in not just to “see what happens,” but to have a real conversation: they ask the right questions, focus on what matters, and leave with a clear sense of their next steps.

If you’ve found yourself here, chances are you’re either weighing the possibility of divorce or you already know it’s on the horizon. Feeling nervous about meeting with an attorney for the first time is completely natural. But here’s what you should know: that first consultation isn’t an interrogation, and it doesn’t lock you into anything. It’s simply a conversation about your life, your concerns, and the options available to you.

So what do divorce attorneys wish you knew before walking through our doors? Let’s break it down.

Come Prepared with Basic Information

You don’t need to have everything figured out, but bringing certain information makes your consultation more productive. Think of it this way: the more context we have, the more specific and helpful our guidance can be.

What to bring to your first meeting:

• A general timeline of your relationship (when you married, separated, or started having serious issues)
• Information about children, including ages and current custody arrangements (if any), as well as what custody arrangements you’re seeking
• A rough idea of major assets like your home, retirement accounts, bank accounts, and vehicles
• Any existing legal documents related to your marriage (prenuptial agreements, previous court orders, domestic violence injunctions)
• Questions you want answered

Don’t worry if you don’t have exact account numbers or property values yet. We’re not asking you to show up with a completed financial affidavit. Knowing roughly what you own, what you owe, and what your household income looks like helps us provide you with realistic guidance about what to expect.

Be Honest About Everything

This is perhaps the most crucial point. Your attorney isn’t here to judge you. We’ve seen it all, and our job is to advocate for you regardless of the circumstances. But we can only do that effectively if we know the whole story.

If you had an affair, tell us. If you’ve already moved money around, tell us. If there’s a domestic violence history, substance abuse issues, or concerns about your spouse hiding assets, tell us. If you’re concerned about something your spouse might mention in court, please…tell us. Sharing all this information with us will not only relieve your burden but also allow us to build a strong strategy to protect you.

Here’s why this matters: Surprises in family court are rarely good surprises. If we know about potential issues from the start, we can build a strategy to handle them. But if they only come to light during a deposition or trial, our ability to protect you is far more limited.

Understand That This Is a Process, Not an Event

Many people come to their first consultation hoping for definitive answers: How long will this take? How much will it cost? What will the judge decide?

The honest answer is “it depends.” And that’s not a cop-out. Divorce involves multiple moving parts, and the process can be flexible to accommodate your unique situation. Will your spouse agree to mediate, or will you end up in litigation? Are there complex assets that need valuation? Do you have minor children requiring a parenting plan? Your first meeting helps us understand your circumstances so we can give you realistic expectations.

During your first meeting, we will gather the essential facts necessary to formulate a strategy for your unique situation so we can give you realistic expectations. In some cases, we can tell you that an uncontested divorce could be finalized in a matter of weeks. In others, particularly those involving high assets or contentious custody disputes, we prepare you for a longer timeline.

What we can tell you with certainty is what your options are, what strategies make sense for your goals, and what the typical process looks like in cases similar to yours.

Know Your Goals (But Stay Flexible)

Before your first consultation with an attorney, think about what matters most to you. Do you want to keep the house? Is maintaining a specific custody arrangement your priority? Are you concerned about retirement assets or a family business?

Your goals shape our strategy. But here’s something else we’ve learned: sometimes what you think you want at the beginning isn’t actually what’s in your best interest once you understand all the implications.

For example, many people initially insist they want to keep the marital home, and that’s understandable. It provides stability, especially if you have kids. But once we walk through the financial reality of affording the mortgage, maintenance, property taxes, and insurance on a single income, some clients realize that selling and starting fresh makes more sense.

Competent attorneys help you see the bigger picture. We’re not here to talk you out of your goals, but we will give you straight answers about whether those goals are realistic and what trade-offs they might involve.

Don’t Wait Until Everything Falls Apart

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you should only meet with a divorce attorney when you’re absolutely certain you’re getting divorced or when things have reached a crisis point.

Not true.

Meeting with an attorney doesn’t mean you’re filing for divorce tomorrow. It means you’re simply educating yourself about your rights and the options available to you. Some clients come in, have the consultation, and decide to try marriage counseling first. Others realize they’ve been thinking about this for years and feel a sense of relief in finally taking action.

Ask About Our Approach and Philosophy

Since no two family lawyers approach cases the same way, it’s crucial to find the right fit. Some cases benefit from aggressive litigation. Others are better suited for mediation or collaborative divorce. The best attorneys can handle both and know which approach serves your situation.

During your consultation, ask questions like:

• Do you handle cases collaboratively, through litigation, or both?
• How do you communicate with clients? How quickly do you typically respond?
• What’s your approach to settlement versus going to trial?
• How do you bill, and what should I expect in terms of costs?

At Johnson Ritchey Family Law, we believe in aggressive advocacy with compassion. That means we fight fiercely for your rights while treating you with empathy and respect from beginning to end. We keep you informed at every step, encourage your input, and adapt our strategy to your needs. Whether your case requires collaborative problem-solving or courtroom litigation, our team has the experience and credentials to manage it with superior skill and strategy. 

What Happens After the Consultation?

Here’s what you can typically expect: we’ll discuss the strengths and challenges of your case, outline potential strategies, explain the divorce process in Florida, and answer your questions. If you decide to move forward with our firm, we’ll discuss next steps, including retainer agreements and initial actions such as filing paperwork or sending correspondence to your spouse’s attorney, if they already have one.

You’re not obligated to hire the first attorney you meet with. Some people consult with multiple firms before making a decision. That’s perfectly fine. The goal is to find an attorney you trust and feel confident will represent your interests effectively!

Take the First Step Toward Your Future with Johnson Ritchey Family Law

Your first meeting with a divorce attorney is an important step, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Come prepared, be honest, and remember that this conversation is about understanding your path forward. The right attorney will give you straight answers, realistic expectations, and a clear understanding of what comes next.

When you walk into Johnson Ritchey Family Law, you’re entering a space where straight answers, realistic expectations, and genuine empathy come standard – not as exceptions. Our team brings over 85 years of combined experience to every consultation, and we’re led by a board-certified founding attorney whose credentials reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional representation with compassion, integrity, and unmatched depth of knowledge in family law matters. Furthermore, as one of our partners is an accredited Collaborative Professional, you’ll have access to proven expertise whether your case calls for amicable resolution or aggressive courtroom advocacy.

If you’re considering divorce or have questions about your situation, we invite you to schedule a free case evaluation with our team at Johnson Ritchey Family Law. We’re here to help you see the path forward, answer the questions keeping you up at night, and turn uncertainty into a solid plan of action. Contact us today to move forward, we’d love to speak with you!