What to Expect at Your First Consultation
No surprises. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about your situation and your options.
Calling a divorce attorney for the first time can be a big step. You may not know what to say, what to bring, or what is going to happen. This page explains exactly what a first consultation at Weinrieb Law looks like (before, during, and after), so you can walk in prepared instead of anxious.
Watch: First Divorce Consultation in Buffalo: What to Bring (3 minutes)
Prefer to watch first? This short video walks through how to prepare, what to bring, and what happens in the meeting. The details are in the sections below.
From the Weinrieb Law YouTube channel. Attorney Advertising.
Read the transcript
Thinking about speaking with a divorce attorney, but unsure where to begin? Start with the questions keeping you up at night. Maybe you are worried about paying the bills, your children's routine, or what happens to the house. This guide from Weinrieb Law explains how to prepare for a first consultation.
You do not need a perfect binder before you reach out. A few notes can make the conversation more useful. First, make a one-page overview. Note when you married, whether you live together or separately, and whether you have children. Then write down your three biggest concerns. For example: I need to understand my monthly budget. I want to keep school mornings predictable. I've received papers and do not know what happens next. If there is a court date or a deadline on a document, flag it when you contact the office. Give the attorney that information at the start.
Next, gather the financial information you already have available. Recent income records, tax returns, and account statements can help organize the discussion. Write down the major things your household owns and owes, along with a rough monthly budget. You do not need to solve every financial question before the meeting. Make a separate list of information you are missing, so you can ask what to gather next. The financial document checklist on Weinrieb Law's website is a useful place to begin.
Keep court papers, existing orders, and any signed agreements together. Bring them to the consultation if you have them, and ask the office how to provide copies securely. For a phone meeting, have your notes in front of you and choose a place where you can speak privately. If your question involves parenting arrangements, sketch a typical week: school, child care, work hours, and transportation. A simple calendar can make your practical concerns easier to explain.
Prepare a short question list. Which options might fit my situation? What information do you need before assessing those options? What could make the process more expensive or take longer? How do your fees and billing work? And what should I do next? Ask for explanations in ordinary language. If an answer is unclear, say so. You can also ask which decisions need attention soon and which can wait for more information. The goal is to understand the next step well enough to make an informed choice.
Weinrieb Law serves families in Buffalo, Williamsville, and across Western New York. The firm's website lists a complimentary initial phone consultation, with video and in-person consultations available for a fee. Confirm the format and any charge when you schedule. You can use the conversation to discuss your circumstances and ask about the firm's approach. There is no obligation to hire the firm after the initial conversation.
For the preparation guide and financial document checklist, visit weinrieblaw.com. To schedule a consultation, call 716-759-4529. Start with your questions. Bring what you have. Ask what comes next. This video provides general information, not legal advice about your situation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The Consultation at a Glance
A first consultation at Weinrieb Law typically runs 45 to 60 minutes and follows a straightforward arc: you schedule, prepare, meet with us, leave with a clear picture of your options, and then decide, on your own timeline, how to proceed.
Before Your Consultation
You do not need to have everything organized before you call us. Many clients come to their first consultation with little more than the broad facts of their situation, that is completely fine. If you have time to prepare, the following will help us make the most of our time together.
What to Bring
Bring whatever you have readily available. Do not delay scheduling your consultation because you cannot find a document.
- ✓A general sense of your household income (yours and your spouse’s)
- ✓A rough list of major assets, home, retirement accounts, savings, vehicles
- ✓A rough list of major debts, mortgage, loans, credit cards
- ✓Any existing court orders (custody orders, prior support orders)
- ✓Children’s names and ages, if applicable
- ○Most recent federal tax return (helpful but not required)
- ○Recent pay stubs for yourself and/or your spouse
- ○Retirement account statements (401k, pension, IRA)
- ○Mortgage statement or deed if you own a home
- ○Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, if one exists
- ○Names and contact information for any other attorneys involved
✓ = helpful to bring • ○ = bring if you have it, but don’t delay if you don’t
You can also come with nothing but your story. The most important thing you can bring to a first consultation is an honest account of your situation. Documents can be gathered later: your time with us is most valuable when you use it to ask questions and get clarity.
What Happens During the Consultation
A first consultation at Weinrieb Law typically runs 45 to 60 minutes. Here is how that time is usually spent:
We Listen
We start by asking you to tell us what is going on: in your own words, at your own pace. There are no right or wrong answers. The more context you give us, the better we can assess your situation. We will ask clarifying questions as we go.
We Assess Your Situation
Based on what you share, we identify the key legal issues in your case (property division, custody, support, the likely process), and explain how New York law applies to your specific facts. We will be honest about strengths, challenges, and realistic outcomes.
We Explain Your Options
We walk through the paths available to you: uncontested divorce, mediation, collaborative divorce, or litigation. We explain the likely cost, timeline, and trade-offs of each so you can make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.
We Answer Your Questions
We leave plenty of time for your questions. No question is too basic. People going through divorce for the first time often have concerns about things they have never had reason to think about, that is exactly what we are here for.
We Discuss Next Steps
At the end of the consultation, we explain what the next steps would look like if you decide to move forward, and answer any final questions about our process, fees, and how we work. There is no pressure to make a decision at the meeting.
You Decide, On Your Timeline
Retaining us is entirely your choice. We will send a retainer agreement for you to review at home. Many clients take a few days to think things over, speak with family, or meet with another attorney before deciding. We respect that process. If it helps with that decision, why clients choose Weinrieb Law explains how we work.
Topics We Typically Cover
Depending on your circumstances, we may discuss any or all of the following:
- Grounds for divorce in New York
- Separation vs. divorce
- Contested vs. uncontested options
- Division of marital property and debts
- The family home, stay, sell, or buy out
- Retirement accounts and QDROs
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Child custody, legal and physical
- Parenting schedules and holiday time
- Child support calculations
- Orders of protection, if needed
- Interim support while the case is pending
- Expected timeline for your type of case
- Estimated legal fees and cost drivers
Questions to Ask Your Attorney
Come prepared with questions. Here are ones our clients find most useful:
- ?What type of divorce process do you think is right for my situation: uncontested, mediated, collaborative, or litigated?
- ?What are the key factors that will affect how my property gets divided?
- ?How is child custody typically decided in Erie County? What does the court look for?
- ?What is a realistic range of outcomes for my case, and what drives outcomes toward the better or worse end?
- ?How long do you expect my case to take?
- ?What will my total legal fees likely be, and what drives costs up or down?
- ?What are the most important things I can do right now to protect my interests?
- ?What should I avoid doing: mistakes that could hurt my case?
- ?What information or documents should I start gathering?
- ?What happens next if I decide to move forward with you?
What We Will and Won’t Do
What We Will Do
- Listen without judgment
- Give you an honest assessment
- Explain your rights under New York law
- Help you understand your options
- Answer every question you have
- Tell you what the realistic outcomes are
- Respect your timeline and decisions
What We Won’t Do
- Promise you a specific outcome
- Encourage unnecessary litigation
- Pressure you into retaining us
- Sugarcoat difficult facts about your case
- Give advice designed to escalate conflict
After Your Consultation
Take your time. There is no deadline to decide, and the situation rarely becomes more urgent in the days after a consultation than it was before. Here is what to expect:
- No follow-up pressure. We will not call to check on your decision. If you want to move forward, you reach out to us.
- Retainer agreement by email. If you decide to retain us, we send a plain-language retainer agreement explaining our fees and how the relationship works. You sign it electronically at your convenience.
- Document gathering starts. Once retained, we send you a financial document checklist so we can build a complete picture of the marital estate.
- We file or respond. Depending on your situation, we either file the action or prepare a response to papers your spouse has already filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the initial consultation free?
Yes. Weinrieb Law offers an initial phone consultation for new clients. There is no charge, and no obligation to retain us after the conversation. However, Zoom or in-person consultations are fee based.
How long does a first consultation take?
Most initial consultations last 45 to 60 minutes. We want to hear your full story and make sure your questions are answered: we do not rush the process.
Can I meet by phone or video instead of in person?
Yes. Phone consultations are complimentary. Zoom (video) and in-person consultations at our Williamsville office are available for a fee. Many clients start with a phone call and then schedule a more in-depth in-person or video meeting when ready to move forward.
Will you tell me how my case will turn out?
No ethical attorney can guarantee an outcome. What we can do is give you an honest assessment of your situation, explain the realistic range of outcomes based on New York law and Erie County practice, and outline a strategy for achieving your goals.
Do I have to decide whether to hire you at the consultation?
Absolutely not. Take the time you need. Many clients schedule consultations with more than one attorney before deciding. We will not pressure you. If you decide to move forward, we send a retainer agreement for you to review at your own pace.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a trusted friend or family member for support. Keep in mind that the presence of a third party could affect attorney-client privilege, so let us know in advance if you plan to bring someone.
What if my spouse has already hired an attorney?
Contact us as soon as possible. Once your spouse has retained counsel, that attorney is working for their interests, not yours. Having your own attorney from the start ensures your rights are protected throughout every stage of the process.
Complete Guide to Divorce in New York
12 pages covering equitable distribution, maintenance, child custody, timelines and more: written by Weinrieb Law attorneys.
Schedule Your Consultation
Tell us about your situation. We respond within one business day: confidential and no obligation.
For urgent matters, call (716) 759-4529.
Wondering What Other People Ask?
Attorney Pieter G. Weinrieb answers the questions that actually come up in a first meeting: should I move out, does adultery matter, what will this cost, can I stop paying support if I am denied visitation.