Family Law
General Frequently Asked Questions
Many of our clients have never needed a lawyer before, or certainly not a divorce or family law attorney. In order to make you feel more at ease, here are some frequently asked questions to help you feel more prepared when you meet a family lawyer at Levitt Family Law & Mediation.
How do I prepare for a consultation with a family law attorney and what do I bring?
In meeting with a family lawyer for the first time, think about what the issues are and what your goals are in terms of the outcome for you and your family, so that you can share that information with the family lawyer. The meeting generally takes approximately 90 minutes. During the meeting, the lawyer will ask you to tell your story, and ask questions to gather information from you, in order to provide you with legal information and advice at the first consultation.
It is not necessary that you bring any documents to the first consultation, and if you have no documents or choose to bring none, it will not prevent you from having a consultation with the attorney. However, it can be helpful if you do have documentary information with you or if it is accessible to you, that you be prepared to share it with the attorney. It can be as simple as bringing a written list of your assets and liabilities and those of the other party regardless of in whose name, and the estimated values of those assets and liabilities, to make the meeting more efficient. It can also be helpful to bring copies of any documents that might be relevant to your case. These can include a recent paystub for each party, last year’s tax return personal and business, and the most recent statements for any bank accounts, retirement plans, or other financial assets in either your name or the name of the other party. If there are any outstanding court orders or a divorce or other agreement it can be helpful to provide those as well.
What information will you need when I call to make an appointment?
How are legal fees and retainers determined?
What is a fee agreement?
What is the best way to communicate with the attorney?
What is the role of support staff at the family law firm?
How do I make an appointment?
Is there a consultation fee?
Do I need to have a divorce lawyer or family law attorney who is close to my home or place of work?
We represent clients in Massachusetts, throughout Middlesex County and portions of Essex County and have clients in Wellesley in Norfolk County. These include clients who live or work in the Lowell, Chelmsford, and Westford metropolitan areas and including but not limited to towns such as Billerica, Reading, Dracut, and Littleton; the greater Merrimack Valley communities including, but not limited to Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill; the Concord-Assabet Valley region including but not limited to Acton, Carlisle, Concord, Sudbury, and Lincoln, the metro-west areas including Arlington, Bedford, Burlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley, Weston, and Woburn.