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What To Expect at Your Consult

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If your consult is in person

  • Upon entry to the office, you will be greeted by a member of our staff.
  • When the time for your consult arrives, you will be placed in conference room to await your attorney.
  • Your attorney will soon join you to begin your consultation.

If your consultation is virtual by phone or zoom

  • You will be contacted by the receptionist by phone at least 15 minutes prior to your consultation time. They will accept your payment over the phone and end the call.
  • The attorney will initiate the call or zoom meeting when it is time for your consultation.
  • Whether you decide to have your initial consultation in person or virtually, most consultations proceed in a similar fashion. You will be asked to give a summary of what is happening in your

    life. Your family law attorney will ask questions and review the documents you have brought, and they will also give you a brief explanation of the family law in your state based on the facts you have shared. Any questions you have will be answered. The attorney should share what their next steps would be, should you choose to retain them. The attorney should also suggest a strategy for you moving forward. They will end your consultation by discussing the fee structure of the firm and going over the fee agreement. If you are consulting in person, at the conclusion of the consult the receptionist will take payment.

    There are additional things to keep in mind in order to make your initial consultation as effective as possible:

    1. Make sure not to take up the whole hour giving your life story. If you do, you will find your family law attorney has given you less advice than you feel you need because you did not leave them enough time to advise you. Give a summary of your current situation, as well as any history you feel is important for context, and explain what conflict or concerns lead you to make your appointment. Your attorney will ask for more detail as they require it.

    2. Do not bring more documents than noted above. Similar to sharing too much information by providing your attorney your life story, giving your attorney too many documents make it difficult for them to spend time reviewing the items which will be most helpful to them. Focus on the documents noted above, and if more documents are needed, your attorney will request that you gather them.

    3. Bring your questions. Be sure you bring the questions you have written down in preparing for your legal consultation. We want to be sure that you leave with all of your questions addressed.

    4. Take notes. This is a new situation for you, No one expects you to commit to memory all of the advice that your attorney gives you in your consult. Take notes so that you have that information to refer back to when you leave our office.

    5. Be prepared to discuss your budget in moving forward with legal services. Understanding what your budget is for your case is crucial. It helps your divorce lawyer best advise you on what steps or actions would be most effective in pursuing your goals and that remain within your means.

    6. Do not delay retaining legal representation. After your consultation, you may want to take some time to consider how you wish to move forward. We encourage you to be mindful about your next steps but remember that taking too much time to ponder whether you wish to retain a divorce lawyer may negatively impact your case. It may give the other party time to initiate legal proceedings against you, or it may establish a status quo that your attorney has warned would not be helpful for your case. Take your attorney’s advice and consider how you wish to proceed – but the sooner you decide, the better.

Joseph E. Cordell, founder of Cordell & Cordell family law offices

Written by Joseph E. Cordell

Co-Founder, Principal Partner
Joseph E. Cordell, founder of Cordell & Cordell family law offices

Joseph E. Cordell is the Principal Partner at Cordell and Cordell, P.C., which he founded in 1990 with his wife, Yvonne. Over the past 25 years, the firm has grown to include more than 100 offices in 30 states, as well as internationally in the United Kingdom. Mr. Cordell is licensed to practice in the states of Illinois and Missouri and received his LL.M. from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Joseph E. Cordell was named one of the Top 10 Best Family Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction in Missouri.

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Our clients hire Cordell & Cordell because the firm’s entire focus is on aggressively championing the rights of men and fathers through divorce. Our attorneys understand how the deck is often stacked against guys in family law and are committed to leveling the playing field by providing the legal guidance and resources needed to give them a fair chance at success.