If you are considering separation or have separated
from your spouse, then you should meet with a family
law attorney to discuss your situation. Family law
is a large and complex body of law. No person without
the necessary legal training can hope to fully understand
how this multitude of statutes affects his or her
unique circumstances unless they have the guidance
of an experienced family law attorney.
Not only is meeting with a family law attorney
necessary if you have separated or are considering
separation, it is beneficial. The breakdown of
a marriage is laden with strong feelings of anger
and betrayal, fear and uncertainty. Meeting with
an attorney can help allay these emotions by giving
you a road map, so to speak – a sense of
how best to navigate through a difficult period
in which the stakes are extraordinarily high.
Your relationship with a law firm begins with
a get-acquainted session that is known as the initial
consultation. At our firm, we encourage prospective
clients to schedule these consultations for an
overview of our services and a chance to outline
their family-related issues. Our charge for these
meetings is at a discounted rate, making it easier
for people to investigate what we have to offer.
Essentially, what you will do during the initial
consultation is tell us your story. You will be
instructed in your rights and obligations under
North Carolina’s family law statutes. If
you are seeking child support and if you bring
information on the incomes of you and your spouse,
a tentative estimate of the amounts to which you
may be entitled can be calculated. If there are
marital debts and assets to be divided upon divorce,
you will be given an idea of how that property
will be classified and divided. Strategies to resolve
the issues in your case will be discussed. Trial
strategy or efforts to settle will be explored.
More important than anything else, what you should
bring to the initial consultation with your attorney
is candor. Your attorney needs to know both the
strengths and weaknesses of your case to plot effective
strategy and to reach an accurate assessment of
the probable outcome. If you have property or debts,
such as a marital home or retirement account, a
mortgage or an equity credit line you have drawn
against, it would be helpful be bring your current
statements, appraisals or loan balances. If you
need spousal or child support, it would be helpful
to complete and bring a financial affidavit. And
if you are contemplating entering into a separation
and property settlement agreement with your spouse,
our separation agreement questionnaire is very
useful in guiding you through the issues involved.
Whether or not you decide to take advantage of
the services of our law firm, you will leave our
office after an initial consultation with greater
peace of mind. You will understand your situation
from a legal standpoint. And you will know that
you can count on the assistance of experienced
attorneys who have your best interests at heart.
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