On behalf of Cooper & Tanis, P.C. posted in divorce on Thursday, August 13, 2015.

Even when Colorado spouses amicably decide to get a divorce, the process can be stressful. The best technique for getting through it is being prepared from the beginning, which includes providing the divorce attorney with as many details as possible.

During the first consultation with their divorce attorneys, it is important that divorcing spouses are prepared to talk about the circumstances surrounding their case. The spouses should do most of the talking while their attorneys listen and take notes. To ensure that that they get every detail they need, the attorneys will also ask questions.

First, the attorneys will need basic contact details such as home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. They will also need to gather background information such as when the spouses got married, their employment details, incomes, liabilities, assets and the ages and names of any children they had during the marriage. The assets that should be included in this documentation are bank accounts, vehicles, collections, retirement accounts and bonds or stocks. The liabilities that need to be included are credit card debt, mortgages, student loans and the like. Any prenuptial agreement, premarital assets and inheritances should be brought to the attorneys’ attention.

Also during the consultation, the spouses should be ready to talk about any problems that they think could arise during their divorce, including child custody and support, equitable distribution of assets and alimony. Dispute resolution options and court procedures should also be discussed, as should the financial requirements of retaining the divorce attorneys.

While these are the aspects of a divorce consultation for which estranged spouses should be prepared, the most important part is that they feel comfortable with their potential counsel and have a common goal for their case. Before retaining attorneys, the spouses should feel confident that they will represent their best interests when they negotiate the settlements.