

In addition to gathering helpful documents, as discussed in our previous article, there are other steps you can take to help best prepare yourself for your consult:
1. Write down your questions and concerns. Do it before your initial consultation while you have a clear mind. Make notes in your phone as questions come up in the days prior to your consult. This will ensure that you do not leave your consultation with any issue unaddressed.
2. Do not write a narrative for your attorney. Your legal consultation is initially set for one hour. In some circumstances, we can meet longer, but you should not assume this will be possible. Making the most of your hour is the most important. If you wish for your attorney to review a long document read during this hour, that will significantly reduce the amount of time left for a productive and engaging dialogue with your attorney about your situation and what to do about it. Of course, if writing a narrative helps you to organize your thoughts, we encourage you to prepare this for your own use.
3. Complete your intake in advance. The client contact representative should provide you with a link to complete your intake questionnaire when you book your appointment. Completing this in advance ensures that you do not use any time in your hour to answer simple questions, and it also allows your attorney to have a foundation of information to build upon in your hour together.
4. Block off time for your consult. Discussing your family situation may be emotional. It may be obvious to block off time on your calendar for the initial consultation itself, but you may also want to consider taking time before and after the consultation to prepare for and recover from the emotional conversation you are likely to have.
5. Arrive early. Family law attorneys may have a few consults in a row, starting on the hour. If you do not arrive on time, you risk losing some of your hour. Plan to arrive early so that any hiccups with technology (payment, accessing your intake, your GPS) or with finding the office will not rob of you precious time in your consultation.
6. Ensure you have payment. The cost of your legal consultation will be shared with you when you schedule. Avoid any awkwardness by ensuring you have the correct amount to pay for your consultation. Our offices accept cash, check, and credit or debit card. You may also have someone call in with their credit or debit card to pay on your behalf.

Written by Joseph E. Cordell

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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