The most important thing to bring to your initial consultation with your attorney are your questions. Take some time to sit down and think about what is important to you, your goals and objectives. 
Think about not only the short term, but where you want to be in three, five, ten or 15 years down the road. That’ll help clarify where your goals lie and prepare you to inform the attorney of your expectations and what’s important to you. This will allow you and your attorney to determine the best approach and tailor it achieve your overall goals. Not only should you consider how you’d like the issues in the divorce or separation to be resolved, but what’s important to you in your relationship with your attorney.
For most clients, consulting a divorce or separation attorney will be their first significant contactwith an attorney and they have little idea what to expect. Your attorney will be your advocate and guide through the process, so it is essential communicate well with one another. You should feel like your attorney understands what is important to you and he or she will work for your goals. The first meeting will be a chance to get to know each other and see if there is a good fit; an effective rapport is very important.
What to bring to your first meeting with your attorney depends on whether there’s a divorce action already started. If your spouse has commenced with divorce action and you’ve been served, then you’ll need to bring that paperwork to your attorney. If there are any other court proceedings aside from a divorce action – perhaps custody or child support actions, an application for an order of protection – bring all the paperwork that you have regarding those proceedings. Otherwise, be sure to bring with you any documents you would like to ask the attorney about.
