For your first meeting with a divorce lawyer, bring recent income records, a rough list of what you and your spouse own and owe, and a written list of your questions, especially about your children and the timeline. You do not need every document. A clear starting picture is enough to get useful guidance.
At Ilvento Law, we know that scheduling this meeting is a hard step, and we try to make it a steady one. To set up a time, reach out to our team or call (407) 898-0747.
What income records should you bring to a divorce consultation?
Bring whatever shows what you and your spouse earn. Recent pay stubs, the last two or three years of tax returns, and W-2s or 1099s are a good start. If either of you is self-employed or owns a business, bring any profit and loss statements or business tax returns you can find.
Income affects many of the biggest questions in a divorce, including child support and alimony. Florida divorces also involve formal financial disclosure, so gathering these records early gives you a head start on what will be needed later.
If you do not have access to your spouse's records, that is okay. Write down what you know, such as where they work, their approximate salary, and any bonuses or side income. We can talk about how to get the rest.
We serve families in Winter Park neighborhoods like Windsong, Baldwin Park, and along the Park Avenue corridor. If your finances include rental property, a family business, or stock compensation, bring those records too. Whatever your situation, bring what you have.
How detailed should your asset and debt picture be?
A rough picture is fine for the first meeting. List the major things you own, what you owe, and whose name each one is in, as best you know.
On the asset side, think about your home and any other real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles, business interests, and valuable personal property. On the debt side, include your mortgage, car loans, credit cards, student loans, and any personal loans.
Recent statements help, but estimates are a good start. If you are not sure whether something was owned before the marriage or acquired during it, make a note. That distinction often matters in how property is divided.
One of our clients came in with a tote bag full of financial documents she had pulled out of a dusty drawer. She had also written a list of questions that came to her while dropping her kids off at school. We worked through her documents and her questions together, and told her what was still missing.
That is exactly how a first meeting should feel: organized enough to start, with a clear list of next steps.
What should you share about your children and the timeline?
Share your biggest concerns, even if they feel small. Questions about schools, schedules, and where the children will live are often what weighs most on parents, and they shape the plan from the start.
One of the biggest questions for the client with the tote bag was whether her kids would stay in the same school. For families with children at schools like Trinity Prep or Lake Highland, or in neighborhood schools around Lake Virginia, stability is often a top priority.
Write down your children's ages, their current schedule, who handles daily routines like school drop-off, and any special needs or activities. If you have concerns about safety, relocation, or the other parent's plans, tell us.
Timeline matters too. Florida requires that one spouse has lived in the state for at least six months before filing, under Florida Statute 61.021. Contested divorces can take 12 to 18 months from filing to final judgment, while collaborative divorces often take three to six months.
How does a well-prepared first meeting help your case?
It gives your attorney the information needed to offer clearer guidance right away. Instead of spending the meeting on basic facts, we can focus on your options, your goals, and the path that makes the most sense.
Our initial case evaluations are scheduled for 60 to 90 minutes of uninterrupted, one-on-one time with the attorney. There is a fee for the consultation, and we make the most of that time by reviewing your situation in detail and answering your questions.
When you come in prepared, you leave with a better sense of where things stand. If you decide to work with us, we can lay out a strategy, so you know what to expect next.
Preparation can also reduce stress and cost over time. Fewer surprises mean fewer delays, and organized records can make the financial disclosure process smoother later. Learn more about our initial case evaluations.
Who will you meet with at your first consultation?
You will meet directly with the attorney. Lauren Ilvento is a Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law, a credential held by less than one percent of Florida attorneys.
Our firm has served families in Winter Park and throughout Orange County for decades. We handle contested and uncontested divorces, collaborative divorce, child custody, alimony, property division, and relocation matters.
The first meeting is also your chance to decide whether you feel comfortable working with us. Ask about our approach, how we communicate, and what the next steps would look like. You deserve to feel heard.
Our office is at 1231 E. Concord Street in Orlando, a short drive from Winter Park. Read more about our work as a divorce lawyer in Winter Park.
When you are ready, contact Ilvento Law or call (407) 898-0747 to schedule your initial case evaluation.