Whether your decision to divorce was easy or hard, you need to be well-prepared for that initial consultation with your divorce lawyer. The first meeting can set the foundation for the entire process, so having the right information and documentation at hand can make forming a divorce strategy significantly easier. 

If you want to make certain that you equip your divorce attorney with everything they need to give you the best possible guidance, here are five things you should take with you:

1. Your marriage records

It may sound silly, but you have to prove that you were legally married to get a divorce. Take your marriage certificate (or a certified copy) with you to this first visit. If you were married previously, you should also take your prior marriage certificate and divorce papers with you.

2. Tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, pay stubs, and bonus statements

In order to determine if one party needs to pay spousal or child support to the other, the court needs to know details about each party's income and the family's standard of living. Gather up the tax returns for the last couple of years, along with any W-2s, 1099s, and bonuses so that your attorney can help you better understand what you might receive or have to pay.

3. Titles, deeds, and records regarding real property or investments

A huge part of the divorce process is separating each spouse's personal property from the marital estate and then dividing that marital estate fairly. Bring proof of what you own, such as the titles to the household vehicles, the titles to any recreational vehicles or boats, the deed to your home, and investment records. 

4. Information about your debts

You can't divide a marital estate without also addressing the marital debt. Make a list of everything you owe, including a mortgage or the remainder of your lease, personal loan documents, secured loans made against any real property or vehicles, student loans, and credit card debt. Your attorney will help you figure out what's yours, what belongs to your spouse, and what has to be split.

5. Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements

If you and your spouse have any written agreements that might govern your split, make sure that your attorney knows about this and has a copy. That will help them assess if the prenuptial agreement is ironclad or subject to challenge, and they can explain how the agreement will affect your divorce in practical terms.

Don't let your divorce overwhelm you. With these documents in hand, your divorce attorney can help you find a path forward.

For more info, contact a local divorce lawyer.