Preparation determines whether your consultation provides clear direction or raises more questions than it answers. Family law cases involve deeply personal details about relationships, finances, and children that require careful documentation.
Our friends at the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. discuss the specific preparation steps that separate clients who leave with actionable plans from those who need follow-up meetings to cover basics. A divorce lawyer evaluates your situation based on concrete evidence rather than verbal descriptions, so the documents you bring shape our entire conversation.
How Do I Document Our Lifestyle During Marriage?
Courts consider marital standard of living when determining spousal support amounts and duration. We need evidence showing how your family actually lived, not just what your income statements suggest.
Credit card statements reveal spending patterns on dining, entertainment, travel, and luxury purchases. Mortgage or rent payments show housing costs your family maintained. Utility bills, lawn service invoices, and home maintenance records demonstrate the expense of maintaining your lifestyle.
If your family took regular vacations, bring evidence of typical trips. Hotel receipts, airline confirmations, or travel agency statements show vacation spending patterns. Country club memberships, gym memberships, or subscription services all factor into lifestyle calculations.
Photos from during your marriage can illustrate living conditions. Pictures of your home, vehicles, or family activities help establish the standard you maintained. Don’t stage photos now trying to recreate the past. Use existing photos from social media or family albums.
Vehicle ownership records matter too. If your family drove luxury cars or owned multiple vehicles, registration documents and loan statements prove those expenses.
Should I Bring Social Media Evidence?
Social media posts often provide valuable evidence in family law cases. What people post publicly can contradict their legal claims or reveal information affecting custody and support.
Screenshot posts showing your spouse’s activities, whereabouts, or statements about finances. Make sure dates and timestamps are visible. Print screenshots rather than relying on showing them on your phone during the meeting.
Posts showing your spouse with new romantic partners might matter depending on timing and circumstances. Pictures of expensive purchases or vacations can contradict claims of financial hardship. Check-ins at bars or parties could raise questions about parenting judgment.
Your own social media presence requires review too. Delete nothing, but be aware of what exists. Posts about your dating life, partying, or negative comments about your spouse might get used against you. We need to know what’s out there.
Facebook messages, Instagram DMs, or other platform communications sometimes contain admissions or agreements relevant to your case. Save these exchanges with context showing the full conversation.
What If My Spouse Serves in the Military or Law Enforcement?
Military service and law enforcement careers create unique considerations in family law cases. Special rules govern military divorces, and law enforcement schedules affect custody arrangements.
For military spouses, bring service records showing rank, duty station, and length of service. Military retirement benefits require special handling under federal law. Leave and Earnings Statements show base pay plus allowances for housing and other benefits.
Deployment orders affect custody timing and modifications. Temporary custody changes during deployment differ from permanent modifications. Bring documentation of upcoming deployments or recent returns.
Military housing allowances factor into support calculations differently than civilian income. BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) and BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) need separate documentation.
Law enforcement officers often work irregular shifts affecting parenting schedules. Bring work schedules showing rotation patterns, overtime requirements, and on-call obligations. These schedules influence practical custody arrangements.
Pension benefits for both military and law enforcement follow specific division rules. Documentation of pension service time and projected benefits helps us calculate the marital portion subject to division.
How Should I Address College Expenses for Older Children?
Some states allow courts to order parents to contribute to college expenses even after children reach adulthood. If you have college-age children or teenagers approaching college, this issue might affect your case.
Bring documentation of:
- College acceptance letters and tuition costs
- Financial aid packages and scholarship awards
- 529 college savings plan statements
- Previous agreements about college funding
- Your own educational background
If you and your spouse previously discussed college plans, bring emails or text messages documenting those conversations. Promises made about paying for education can influence court decisions.
Current college expenses for children already enrolled need documentation. Tuition bills, room and board costs, and required fees show actual expenses. If you’re already paying these costs, bring proof of payments.
What Records Prove Actual Parenting Time Versus Court Orders?
What actually happens often differs from what court orders say should happen. If you’re seeking custody modifications or enforcement, documentation of real parenting time strengthens your position.
Keep a detailed calendar showing when children stayed with each parent. Note pickups, drop-offs, and any missed visitation by either party. Phone calendar apps work fine if you’ve been tracking consistently.
Text messages coordinating schedules, requesting schedule changes, or documenting missed visits provide objective evidence. Save exchanges showing the other parent canceling plans or failing to exercise their parenting time.
School attendance records sometimes reveal which parent actually has children on specific days. If your spouse claims to have the children but school records show absences, that discrepancy matters.
Childcare provider statements can confirm which parent drops off and picks up children. Daycare sign-in sheets or babysitter invoices show actual care arrangements versus what orders specify.
When you’ve gathered documentation addressing your specific situation, reach out to schedule your meeting. We’ll review your materials and develop strategy based on the evidence you’ve collected.