Consultation With a Divorce Lawyer in Calgary
Are you booking your initial consultation with a divorce lawyer in Calgary and unsure what to expect? Do you want to learn how to prepare for the first meeting and which questions to ask? If so – you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we’re giving you an overview of a divorce lawyer’s services, how they can help your case, and the most important things to cover during your first meeting and consultation with a divorce lawyer.
What Does a Divorce Lawyer in Calgary Do?
Before we get into the consultation itself, you should know what a divorce lawyer does and what you can expect from them. A divorce lawyer protects their client’s rights and handles all custody and financial aspects of divorce.
The attorney you choose will help explain the law to you and give you an insight into your available legal options. They will listen to your account of the situation and establish your objectives based on your specific needs.
The Importance of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in Calgary
No matter if the divorce is amicable or contentious, you will most likely need to hire a divorce lawyer. The legal process of divorce is incredibly complex, often requiring significant paperwork, filing multiple forms, and going through long waiting periods.
Depending on your circumstance, e.g. whether you have children, property, or large retirement or investment accounts, your attorneys need to be involved in the proceedings. However, the more work the attorney has to do, the more expensive the divorce will be.
In addition to the complexity of the process, there are many other reasons couples decide to hire a divorce lawyer in Calgary. First off, the attorney has the necessary skills and knowledge to present the case to a judge. They can also see the bigger picture and find the best deal for their client.
Another reason many decide to hire a lawyer is that they can offer options that didn’t seem possible or available before. The attorney can anticipate the outcome, suggest settlement options, and compose proposals.
The Cost of a Divorce in Calgary
In Calgary, the Court of King’s Bench determines the specific fees associated with divorce. The legal cost of a divorce in Alberta Court filing can vary greatly, depending on the circumstance of the case.
One of the biggest factors to determine the cost of your divorce is whether it’s contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce happens when both parties agree on all aspects of a divorce, including child and spousal support, custody, and property division.
On the other hand, when the parties can’t reach an agreement on one or more aspects, that leads to a contested divorce. These typically require legal representation and can involve mediation, arbitration, negotiation, or even litigation.
What to Expect During an Initial Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer
When you’re looking for the best divorce lawyer in Calgary for you, it’s important to verify whether they offer an initial consultation. That consultation can help you clear up many things and allow you to decide whether that attorney is the right person for you.
During that time, you will want to determine whether the attorney’s personality and ethical goals align with yours. You should also use the time to see whether you and the attorney agree on a strategy and how to best approach your case.
Things to Bring up During Your First Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer
If you want to feel in control and be prepared for your first consultation with your divorce attorney, there is a lot that you can do and ask. Here are just some things to consider during your first appointment.
Marriage Documents
Bring a copy of your marriage certificate so your divorce lawyer knows when and where you were legally married. They can use that information to establish that you are, in fact, legally married to your spouse and the court can grant you a divorce.
Documents for Marital and Personal Property
Many aspects of divorce deal with finances and the managing of properties. Your attorney needs to know what there is to split, whether there is a prenuptial agreement in place, and which property is your own.
Tax Returns, Employment Records, and Pay Stubs
If your divorce goes to court, the judge might order one spouse to pay support to the other. This support is typically to be spent on children or to maintain the same standard of living they had during the marriage.
By providing proof of income through tax returns, pay stubs, and employment records, your lawyer can determine what you or your spouse are entitled to receive or obligated to pay.
Documents for Investments or Other Sources of Income
If you own a business or multiple sources of income, you should bring documents showing that. Using that information, your attorney will be able to determine your and your spouse’s actual income and the financial obligation you could have.
Evidence of a Spouse’s Wrongdoing
Even though many marriages end because of differences between spouses, at times, there are specific reasons for a divorce, and it’s known as a fault divorce. If you have evidence you’d like to use as grounds for divorce, make sure to provide your attorney with it.
Evidence of infidelity, domestic violence, and the harm that the other spouse has done can affect the process and outcome of the divorce.
Your Questions
During your initial consultation with a divorce lawyer, you might easily get carried away and forget to ask the important questions. Before you head in or make that first call, make sure you write down any and all questions you might have about the process. Your attorney will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Final Thoughts on the Initial Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer
At Calgary Family Law Associates, we handle divorces of all kinds and understand the stress and grief that comes with the process.
When you choose us, our law firm can help make the process more efficient and cost-effective while advocating for your interest and providing expert guidance. Contact us or book your consultation with a divorce lawyer today to see how we can help you.