| Divorce is never easy. When you select an attorney | | | | - List all other life, mortgage and personal property |
| to represent you, he or she understands that. Your | | | | insurance coverages. |
| attorney and legal staff will guide you through the | | | | - A list of marital assets, including real estate, bank |
| process. This is a list of the information your attorney's | | | | accounts, personal property owned by both. |
| office will need in order to protect your interests and | | | | - A list of non-marital assets, including real estate, bank |
| prepare the necessary forms. | | | | accounts, personal property (this is property owned |
| - Your full legal names, including maiden name of the | | | | individually by you or your spouse). |
| wife. | | | | - A list of liabilities, or debts, for both spouses. This |
| - Your current address, and previous addresses. Be | | | | includes loans, mortgages, and credit card balances. |
| prepared to at least furnish your most recent previous | | | | **Note: Regarding real estate, you will be asked to |
| address. | | | | provide information regarding the deed. If you have a |
| - Telephone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail address in | | | | copy of your deed, take it with you to the consultation. |
| order to reach you. | | | | You will be asked other pertinent information, such as |
| - Current contact information for your spouse. | | | | any agreements you and your spouse have already |
| - Social security numbers, dates and places of birth for | | | | reached regarding marital property, who will have |
| you and your spouse. | | | | primary residential custody of any children and what |
| - Place of your employment, how long employed there, | | | | the proposed visitation arrangement may be. If you |
| salary. | | | | fear some areas are not in agreement, be prepared to |
| - Employment information for you and your spouse. | | | | tell your attorney what they are and how you wish |
| - Provide any military service information for either | | | | them to be handled. |
| spouse. | | | | The requested information is confidential, and your |
| - Date and place of your marriage. | | | | attorney and staff are working for you. Most |
| - How many prior marriages for both you and your | | | | attorneys will have a questionnaire form you will be |
| spouse. | | | | asked to fill out, either prior to the initial meeting or |
| - Regarding children born of current marriage, their | | | | when you arrive. The form will include the items I listed |
| names, ages, dates of birth, and where they presently | | | | in this article. Make your own list of any questions you |
| reside. | | | | want to discuss with your attorney and take it with |
| - List any retirement plans, pensions, IRA accounts, | | | | you - you are understandably stressed and there's a |
| CDs for either spouse. | | | | lot to cover. Your own list will ensure you remember to |
| - Personal health insurance information and note which | | | | ask any particularly important questions. |
| spouse is carrying it. | | | | |