What should you do before you first meet with a lawyer?

As your lawyer, I need to know the facts and details, but I also want to know your story. Think about what you would want your lawyer to know about your situation and the people who are a part of it. What is important to you? What are your goals? What are the best and worse possible outcomes for you? What questions do you have about what may happen in your case? Writing your questions or comments ahead of time may be helpful.

The first meeting is also a good opportunity for you to ask questions about your lawyer, how the office works, how your fees will be kept track of.

Most importantly, the first meeting is your opportunity to see whether you can work with this lawyer as a person. Through a divorce or parenting case, you will be sharing close personal details with your lawyer, relying on him or her, trusting him or her to look out for you as best they can. If you can not "connect" with a lawyer as a person during your first meeting, chances are it will not get better after that. And, if you do not feel comfortable with your lawyer, it is likely that communication will suffer, as well as the case.