What to expect at an initial meeting with a divorce solicitor?
If you are thinking about a divorce you will understandably be anxious about your first meeting with a divorce solicitor. To help explain what we’ll go through at your initial meeting, we’ve put together the below guide.
We understand that the decision to apply for a divorce is never taken lightly. It is a very emotional journey and we’re on hand to help as best as we can.
If you have decided that divorce is the option for you and your partner, it is time to schedule your first consultation with a divorce solicitor. We will provide reassurance, compassion and understanding and can explain the options available to you.
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss matters such as divorce, separation and issues relating to children. This allows you to gain an understanding of what options are available, how long it might take to resolve and what the next steps might be.
Free Initial Consultation
We understand that you’ll want to discuss your options and find out more about how we can help. We offer both appointments throughout the day and out of hours to accommodate our clients. We are happy to meet you at our offices across London, Essex or Kent. To find out more please Book Your Free Consultation, call us on 020 3753 4667 or email
What to Expect During Your First Meeting
What happens during your first meeting depends on:
- Whether you already have discussed divorce with your spouse.
- Whether both parties have come to a mutual agreement
- Whether the divorce may be contested
- Whether mediation may be suitable
- Whether there are any emergency factors, such as domestic abuse or child protection concerns
During the initial meeting, your solicitor will ask lots of questions about you, your spouse and your children (where relevant). The aim of this is for us to get a good understanding of your personal, financial and wellbeing so that we can best assess matters and advise you on options and possible outcomes.
What To Bring To An Initial Divorce Meeting
There is certain information which you will need to share with us in order to make it possible for them to contact you and get to know your situation. This information includes:
- Your personal information and your spouses, including full names, address, date of birth, contact details and the reason for the consultation.
- Your marriage history
- The number of children you have (if relevant).
- The employment status of you and your spouse.
- The name of your spouse’s solicitor (where relevant).
- Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
- Any pending court dates
- Any other significant information you may feel is relevant
- What you’d like to achieve from the process
It is advisable to take as much information as possible with you to the initial meeting as this allows your solicitor to provide advice that’s specific to your circumstances.
Can You Bring Someone With You?
A consultation about your marriage breaking down can be quite an emotional affair, therefore, we do not advise bringing any children, although you may want to bring a trusted family member or friend to provide support.
What Should You Ask?
You may wish to consider any questions you would like answered such as the potential costs of the divorce and how long the process may take. This is also a good opportunity to ask us whether we see any potential hurdles we may need to overcome.
What Happens If I Decide To Progress Matters?
If you would like us to issue divorce proceedings on your behalf, then you will just need to inform us of the fact.
How Much Will It Cost?
It is important to understand that there will be the costs for divorcing your spouse and then there may also be associated costs with trying to reach an agreement around finances and children.
As long as your divorce progresses smoothly, then often work can be carried out on a fixed fee basis. We will always be completely transparent with you about fees, so you’ll never receive an unexpected bill.
On matters relating to the matrimonial finances, your costs will be dependent on how much work is required to enable an agreement to be reached. Sometimes this can be fairly straightforward and sometimes it can be more complex.
At Anglo Law, we agree on a cost estimate with you at the start of the process and will keep you up to date at each stage of your case, so you are fully informed at all times.
Why Choose Us
It is always advisable to contact an experienced family solicitor. That initial contact is a crucial step to ensure that you make an informed decision and know exactly what is involved and how long the process will take. You need to feel ready to take that next step and be sure not to make any hasty decisions.
Contact our Family Solicitors
The right solicitor changes everything. Anglo Law Solicitors provides expert legal advice on Family Law and Divorce proceedings
Speak directly to a Family solicitor now on 020 3753 4667 or Book Your Free Consultation here.
We serve clients across the following areas
London areas - City of London, Aldgate, Tower Hamlets, Spitalfields, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Southwark, Bishopsgate, Canary Wharf, Islington & Highbury, Angel, Belsize Park, Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, Finchley.
Essex - Chigwell, Hainult, Woodford, Epping, Chafford Hundred, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Upminster, Grays.
Kent - Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, West Malling, Maidstone, Sevenoaks.
* “The court have a wide discretion when deciding what orders to make in relation to financial proceedings. In exercising their discretion, the court will take into full account the specific facts of the particular case in question. The court are guided by Section 25 criteria laid down by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. In deciding how the family assets are redistributed between divorcing couples or determining what happens to income generating assets, the court will always make reference to the guidelines of Section 25. Each case presented to the court is ultimately adjudicated on its own merits and the needs of any dependant children will always be the court’s main priority”.