Attorney
In a few weeks, stores throughout the Albuquerque area will put all the pool toys on clearance and set out back-to-school supplies. Kids will debate the merits of different folder designs while their parents hunt down the protractor their child will break or lose months before their teacher gives his or her annual lecture on acute angles.
Gathering all the supplies on the list can be stressful, but having that list is also reassuring. You know exactly what you need to get to set your kids up for success this school year. There are only a few other times in your life you will be handed a similar list of stuff you need in order to set you and your kids up for success.
Now is one of those times. Below is a list of items you should attempt to gather up and bring to your first consultation with the Matteucci Family Law team.
Clear Goals and Objectives
Whether you are filing for divorce, negotiating a custody plan for your children or seeking guardianship of an extended family member, you need to be able to articulate your end goal. Before your meeting with an attorney, think about:
- What do you want your life to look like after your case is closed?
- What do you think winning this case means?
- How much time and money can you realistically devote to this case?
Discussing your goals with Attorney Bob Matteucci will help him evaluate your case and develop a strategy for achieving your desired outcomes. Your opinion of Bob’s analysis should help you decide if retaining the Matteucci Family Law firm is right for you.
Basic Information About Your Case
The initial consultation is a get-to-know-you meeting and a strategy session. It is typically not the best time to dig into complex financial statements and start dividing up your assets, or hammer out a preliminary child custody agreement. But that being said, it is not a bad idea to bring along information that will be used to fill out paperwork, inform negotiations, or persuade the court you are in the right.
Things like:
- Basic information about you, your children, and your partner. Like their full names, ages, schools, military status, and medical histories.
- A list of all your assets and debts and property records.
- A list of all your income and expenses.
- If your case has already been filed, any documents related to your case, such as divorce papers, custody agreements, or child support orders.
A List of Questions You Have for Your Lawyer
Whether you have previous experiences with the legal system or not, you likely have some questions about how your case will progress. Don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with Attorney Bob Matteucci or the firm’s paralegal, Krista.
This is one of those situations where there are no silly questions other than the ones that aren’t asked. You need to be comfortable with who you are working with and the legal process, so don’t be afraid to speak up when you don’t understand or agree with something.
Serving New Mexico Families with Dignity & Compassion
Just like a school supply list tells you what subjects your kids are going to cover over the next year, we hope the list above gives you a decent idea of what the initial consultation with the Matteucci Family Law is like.
Our first meeting is a chance for us to get to know each other and decide if we want to work with one another. If the relationship moves forward, the first meeting lays the foundation for that by outlining goals and expectations and explaining practical details like how to share documents with us.