Sunday, July 6, 2008

Divorcing In Orange County? Get Your Lawyer This Info Immediately

By Jon D. Alexander, Esq.

If you are getting divorced in Orange County, California you'll need to prepare relevant information for your first meeting with your attorney. Your Attorney will likely have you fill out a form and go over it with you. This article will give you an idea of the sorts of documentation and information that you should bring to your first consultation. Also included below is a link to a Judicial Council Form provided by the Superior Court of Orange County that many attorneys use for just this purpose.

It would be wise to prepare, organize and bring the following information:

1. Personal: Social Security Numbers for all family members, dates of birth, date of marriage, and date of separation;

2. Property: Household residence- rent or own. Lease payment/mortgage payment. Value of home- source of funds to purchase, source of funds for mortgage payment. Other Real Estate. Household furniture & furnishings- type and approximate value. Automobiles- value, loan balance. Bank accounts, life insurance, pensions, assets of children, and whether the above are considered separate property.

3. Obligations: Debts- include when incurred, reason, date due, and repayment terms.

4. Income: Your employer, spouse's employer, occupation, monthly income, withholdings, if not working an explanation, number of exemptions.

5. Liquid assets: Stocks, checking accounts, bonds, life insurance and cash.

6. Monthly expenses: an extensive list of these is included on the linked form below. Be sure to visit the link and review all of the many types of expenses.

Organizing your case now will save you time and money. If you provide your information to your attorney in concise, efficient, organized manner it will greatly reduce the time he or she will need to spend doing the same. He will be able to focus on other important aspects of the case.

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