How Do I Prepare for My Consultation with an Illinois Divorce Attorney?

April 7th, 2025 by Tiffany Hughes

Going through the divorce process can be a challenging and emotionally taxing experience. When you’re ready to take the step of seeking legal advice, a consultation with a divorce attorney is crucial. But how should you prepare to make the most of this meeting?

What is a Consultation?

A consultation is a brief meeting with an attorney where you can explain your situation, ask questions, and interview potential attorneys to see if they can assist in your current or upcoming case. Think of it like a get to know you meeting where you and the attorney decide if you are both  a good fit. It is also a time where the attorney can evaluate the needs, expectations and goals of the client. I use the consultation to determine if this particular clients’ expectations are reasonable and if generally their case is something that I would be interested in handling.

How do I Prepare for a Consultation?

1. Gather Relevant Documents for Your Consultation

Start by organizing all necessary documents related to your marriage and finances. These may include:

a. Marriage Certificate: To confirm the legal status of your marriage.

b. Financial Documents: Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and investment accounts. This will help your attorney understand your financial situation.

c.Property Records: Deeds to real estate, car titles, and any other documentation related to assets and liabilities.

d. Debts Information: Statements for credit cards, loans, and other debts.

e. Pre-nuptial or Post-nuptial Agreements: If applicable, these documents can be crucial in guiding the divorce process.

Depending on the type of consultation you schedule (i.e. complimentary consultation versus paid consultation), these documents may or may not be reviewed during the consultation or prior to. Regardless, they are documents that you should have easily available to reference during the consultation.

2. List Your Questions and Concerns in a Divorce

Before the meeting, write down any questions or concerns that you may have about the divorce process. Common questions might include:

a. What will my divorce process look like in Illinois?

b. How long will it take?

c. What are the potential costs involved?

d. How will child custody and child support be handled?

e. Am I or my spouse eligible to receive maintenance (formally known as alimony)?

f. What is an equitable distribution of marital property?

Having a list will ensure you cover all your bases and make the most of your attorney’s expertise.

3. Outline Your Goals and Objectives in a Divorce

Clarify what you hope to achieve through the divorce process. Are you seeking child support or maintenance (formally known as alimony)? Are you concerned about equitable distribution? Outline your priorities, goals and objectives in a divorce so your attorney can tailor their focus to your individual needs.

4. Understand Your Legal Situation

Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of divorce law in Illinois. Understanding terms like “equitable distribution,” “maintenance (formally known as alimony or spousal support),” and “child support” will help you follow the conversation more easily and make informed decisions.

5. Prepare a Summary of Your Marriage

Create a brief overview of your marriage, including:

a. Duration of Marriage: How long you’ve been married.

b. Children: The ages of any children.

c. Major Life Events: Key events that have impacted your marriage, such as relocations or significant financial changes.

This summary will help your attorney quickly grasp the context of your situation.

6. Be Ready to Discuss Personal and Sensitive Topics

A consultation with a divorce attorney often involves discussing sensitive issues such as marital issues, financial difficulties, and personal disputes. Be prepared to discuss these topics candidly with your attorney to ensure they can provide accurate advice and representation.

7. Know Your Attorney’s Background

Before your meeting, research the attorney’s background. Check their experience with cases similar to yours, with an emphasis on solely practicing in the area of family law. This will help you assess whether they’re the right fit for your needs.

8. Review the Attorney’s Fee Structure

Understand how the attorney charges for their services. Ask about their fee structure—whether they charge a flat fee, hourly rate, or work on a retainer basis. Clear understanding of the costs involved will help you and your attorney identify your goals and objectives in your divorce and plan your budget accordingly.

Preparing thoroughly for your consultation with an Illinois divorce attorney is an important part of starting the divorce process generally. By gathering documents for your consultation, listing questions and concerns in a divorce, understanding your goals and objectives in a divorce, and being ready for a candid discussion, you’ll set the stage for a productive and informative meeting. This preparation will help ensure that you and your attorney can work together effectively to navigate the divorce process and achieve a resolution that meets your needs.

Need More Information or Representation?

If you are thinking about a divorce in Illinois, give The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. a call today at 773-893-0228 for a confidential, complimentary 30-minute phone consultation or email Tiffany Hughes directly at Tiffanyhughes@thugheslaw.com. Our entire practice is solely dedicated to the area of family law. We are highly experienced in providing legal representation to anyone who is getting a divorce in Illinois, is seeking a consultation, has questions and concerns in the divorce process, wants to discuss possible goals and objectives related to equitable distribution, alimony, and child support, or needs someone to advocate for them in their Illinois Divorce.

       About Tiffany M. Hughes, Divorce Attorney, Principal, Managing Partner, The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C.:

Tiffany M. Hughes is a divorce attorney and Managing Partner of The Law office of Tiffany M. Hughes. Recognized as a Top 100 Lawyer in Lawyers Magazine in 2018 and 2019, Super Lawyer from 2016 to date, and in addition to numerous other accolades, Ms. Hughes represents individuals in all aspects of family and matrimonial law proceedings, including litigation, mediation, allocation of parental responsibility (formerly known as custody), parentage, divorce and other child-related matters.

—

This blog is made available by The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of Illinois law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this website you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in Illinois.  The law changes constantly and we do not go back in time to edit old posts that may be affected by these changes.  If you have any questions about Illinois law, which is the only State this blog and website discusses, please call The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for a complimentary phone consultation and do not draw any legal conclusions without speaking to a competent attorney in Illinois first.