If you are contacting a family law attorney for the first time, your head is probably swimming with questions and concerns. As an attorney with over a decade of experience in family law, I understand that this first meeting can be extremely intimidating. Here is some insight into what to expect at your first meeting with me.

To begin, most people I meet with likely have never hired a family law attorney. I understand that you are coming to me at a difficult time and that what you are telling me is intimate. I promise to treat what you tell me with the respect it deserves and to keep it confidential. I also will not judge you. As your lawyer, I cannot change what happened before you came into my office.

The first thing I will do is ask you to tell me your goals. Your answer helps me learn more about you, sets the tone for our meeting, and the advice I will give you. Then, I will ask questions to illicit important background information from you. I want to know about your family, your finances, and, if it is a divorce, what assets you have. It sometimes helps to bring paystubs, tax returns, or a list of your monthly expenses to the meeting.

Next, I want to hear your story. I need you to be honest with me about what happened to bring you to the point where you feel you need to hire an attorney. After hearing your story, I can then explain how Maryland law applies to the facts of your specific case. I can provide you with handouts explaining the process and what factors are considered in cases where there is a request for alimony, child support, or custody. Although I will provide you with information tailored to you, you are welcome to take notes during the meeting. Sometimes it can be helpful to have a document to refer to after we meet.

Once I understand your goals, your background, and your story, we can discuss a strategy for moving forward. I will give you multiple options to choose from, and we can weigh the pros and cons of each option. You can ask me a lot of questions. No question is silly, and I will answer all of your questions honestly. You are more than welcome to ask me about my experience and qualifications.

Finally, I will talk to you about what it will cost going forward. I cannot give you an exact amount from start to finish, but I will tell you how billing and payments are handled.

My goal for all first client meetings is that you leave with a better understanding of the law, process, strategy, and expenses involved with your specific needs. I have found that these first meetings can alleviate some of the anxiety you have and allow me to take on some of your burden. Hiring a family law attorney is never a fun experience, but it does not have to be a terrible one either. Finding the right attorney sets the tone for your case and gets you one step closer toward your goals.

If you have family law questions, please contact Laurie Wasserman at 410.209.6446.

ABOUT LAURIE WASSERMAN

lwasserman@offitkurman.com | 410.209.6446.

Laurie M. Wasserman, a principal at Offit Kurman in the Family Law practice area, represents individuals in all aspects of Maryland divorce and family law. She is committed to guiding her clients through the process in the most beneficial and least stressful way. She helps clients identify the issues that are important to them and advises them on creative strategies to achieve these goals. She brings experience, energy, and empathy to all of her cases, and provides her clients with the attention they deserve.

ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN

Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing, full-service law firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 120 attorneys offering a comprehensive range of services in virtually every legal category, the firm is well positioned to meet the needs of dynamic businesses and the people who own and operate them. Our eight offices serve individual and corporate clients in the Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Northern Virginia markets, as well as the Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City metropolitan areas. At Offit Kurman, we are our clients’ most trusted legal advisors, professionals who help maximize and protect business value and personal wealth. In every interaction, we consistently maintain our clients’ confidence by remaining focused on furthering their objectives and achieving their goals in an efficient manner. Trust, knowledge, confidence—in a partner, that’s perfect.

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