If you are considering filing for divorce in South Carolina, your first step should be to meet with a divorce lawyer in South Carolina, like the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC.  Before you break the news to your spouse, your divorce lawyer can help you take steps to protect your rights and interests. Things you do and say once you tell your spouse you want a divorce can impact your final divorce agreement. If you have made an appointment with the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina, you may be wondering what to bring to your first consultation. The more information you bring to your initial consultation, the easier it will be for the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC to answer some of the questions you might have.

Checklist of What to Bring to Your First Consultation

Before you meet with your divorce lawyer, take some time to consider your goals. Do you want to live with your children? Do you want to keep the family home? Are there certain debts you feel are your ex’s alone? The more you understand about what you are looking for in your divorce, the better the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC, divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina will be able to guide you. Here is a checklist of things you can bring to your initial consultation with the Hayes Law Firm:

• Tax returns for the last three years for you and your spouse. If you filed your taxes with your spouse, bring your shared tax returns. If you filed separately, see if you can bring both your tax returns, or information about each of your incomes. The Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC are divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina who can look at your shared income and help you understand what your options might be when it comes to alimony, division of assets, child support, and more.
• Prenuptial Agreement. If you and your ex have a prenuptial agreement, this agreement could impact your divorce agreement, affecting everything from alimony amounts to how your assets and debts will be divided. However, not all prenuptial agreements are enforceable in court. Reach out to the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC, divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina today to learn more about your rights.
• Bank Statements. Before telling your spouse you want to file for divorce, you might want to protect your assets. One way to do this is to keep a record of your bank statements and to bring a record of your bank statements to your initial consultation with your divorce lawyer at the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC.
• Retirement Accounts. When dividing retirement accounts, it is important to consider the tax burden you might face for these accounts. Failing to divide these accounts properly, in accordance with the law, can result in a hefty tax burden for either you or your spouse. Contact the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC today to learn more about your rights and responsibilities when dividing retirement accounts during your divorce.
• Mortgages and Deeds. Have a mortgage? Own a home? One of the biggest questions you might have might involve how you should divide the family home. The Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC are divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina who can help you understand your options and rights when it comes to determining who gets what.
• Debt Statements. Debts that you and your spouse took out before your marriage, will be separate. Debts that you and your spouse took out during your marriage may be considered separate or shared debt, depending on how the money was used. Student loans, for example, may be shared debt if the money was used for living expenses, while money used for tuition or books may be considered separate debt. Bring debt statements and dates the debt was taken out to the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC, divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina today, so our firm can help you understand which debts might be considered shared and which ones might be considered separate.
• Insurance Policies. Life insurance policies may have value and might need to be considered during your divorce. If one partner was paying for the other partner’s health insurance, this may also impact your divorce. The Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC are divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina who can help you with your case and help you understand your rights and options.
• Health Records. Your health and the health of your spouse could potentially impact your parenting plan agreement. Bring any health records that you think might impact your case. The Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC are divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina who can review these records and help you understand whether the courts might consider them when deciding issues like custody and parenting time.
• Criminal Records. If your ex has a criminal record, or if you had to get a restraining order against your ex, this could impact your parenting plan. The Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC are divorce lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina who can help you understand how criminal records could impact your parenting plan.
• Any other information. Do you have abusive emails from your ex? Do you have incriminating text messages? Or maybe you just have a list of property that must be considered during your divorce (boats, paintings, or other assets). Bring any additional information you think might be important to your initial consultation.

The list of items above is not meant to be exhaustive. As the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC review your case our lawyers may need additional information or may have more questions. Gathering all the documentation you need could take some time. Bring as much information as you can to your initial consultation with the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC and let our divorce lawyers handle your case from there. We are there for you.d