Divorce is a very difficult time for everyone involved. As a divorcing spouse, not only are you dealing with the breakdown of your marriage and the ramifications of the divorce on your children, but all of your “dirty laundry” is being aired to people that you just met (e.g. your divorce attorney, public sitting in the court room). However, in order for your divorce attorney to build your best case it is important that your attorney be fully informed of the facts; the good, the bad and the ugly. That way, your attorney will be prepared in the event that these issues arise during the course of litigation, rather than hearing about it for the first time while you are on the witness stand or testifying at a deposition.
Therefore, at your initial meeting with your divorce attorney it is important to disclose the top 10 things to tell your Divorce Attorney:
1) Do you or your spouse have a criminal record?
2) Do you have any past involvement with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), formerly Department of Social Services (DSS)?
3) Have you or your spouse ever been treated for a mental illness or addiction?
4) Have you or your spouse ever used illegal drugs or abused alcohol?
5) Have there been instances of domestic violence relating to you, your spouse, or your children? Additionally, have either you or your spouse obtained a restraining order against the other?
6) What is the reason that you or your spouse filed for divorce?
7) Are you currently dating or do you have a new significant other? Has this person been introduced to your children?
8) Could it be said that either you or your spouse had a gambling problem or some other compulsive spending habit during the marriage?
9) Have your or your spouse been married previously? Additionally, do either you or your spouse have children from a prior relationship?
10) Is there anything else that your attorney should know about you or your family that could be integral in your divorce case or potentially embarrassing?
It may be uncomfortable disclosing this information to a person that you just met. However, you will be relieved that you did, when opposing counsel brings up the issue at court and your attorney is well prepared to advocate for you because he/she was informed of the situation in advance. Of course, if the issue is not brought up by the other attorney, then all the information you disclosed is protected by attorney-client privilege.
