What is the first step the attorney will take to begin the divorce process?

What is the first step the attorney will take to begin the divorce process?

When a client consults with a divorce attorney like me it's a 3 or a 4 step process. The first step is the attorney asking questions and gathering information. The thought behind this first step is, I can't answer questions unless I have all the information. My second step is to provide the client with a summary of California divorce law. What to expect - we're a no-fault divorce state. Parenting issues are based in the best interest of the children. This is how child support works, this is how spousal support works. Do you have issues of domestic violence, drugs or alcohol? That would be the second step is an explanation. The third step is to say to the client, "now that I've gathered information and hopefully by now I've answered all your questions, but maybe you have some questions that I haven't answered, so why don't you ask them?". Once I know I've answered all my potential client's questions, I then talk to them about the process. There's a litigation process, that's the default setting where people think they have to go, there's mediation, and of course, there's collaborative family law.