5 Things To Expect At Your First Meeting

Meeting with an attorney might bring up some anxious feelings. This is normal. But know that when you meet with us we are here to help you. Here is a brief summary of what to expect at the initial meeting.

You may be worried about all of the “legalese” that is involved in most proceedings. When we meet we will explain things to you in clear, easy-to-understand terms, not legal lingo.

The 5 Intake Steps

1. The first step is to gather information. Typically we will have you fill out a form. Don’t worry if you do not have every document with you. We will let you know which ones we need and help you attain them after your visit. This is step 5: homework.
2. As with most law offices, we will check to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest preventing us from taking your case.
3. Next we go over the facts of the case and talk about the history of your marriage, etc. Every case is different. We take a custom-tailored approach to your case, so the next steps will depend on the facts of the case and your end goals. It’s similar to a doctor running diagnostic tests to see what the issue is and the best way to cure the ailment.
4. Before we get to work we will discuss fees or retainers. You will have a clear idea of how long a case with issues such as yours typically takes. You will also have a good idea as to how much the process will cost.
5. We will then assign ” homework.” We will give you a detailed list of the required and helpful documents and records. For example, we may ask you to bring in tax returns, police reports, financial paperwork and other documents specific to your case. We often ask for a family history questionnaire. This is to provide us with facts that, in some instances, can make or break a case.

We will carefully review your case and tell you how we can help. If for some reason we are not able to help you or if it is in your best interest to send a child back for example, we will tell you that, too. Our goal is to help. To do the best job we can we need as much information as we can get. Part of our service during the intake meeting  is to advise you on what you should and should not do in order for your case to move forward in the right direction.

Get Started Today

I am principal attorney David N. Schaffer . I, along with my staff, am here to make your intake process, divorce or other family law issue as simple and effective as possible. Let my 38 years of Illinois family law experience help you. Call the firm at 630-922-4500 or contact us online by email form . In Naperville, we serve clients throughout the state, nation and internationally.