First conversation in a divorce
An initial conversation serves to gain insight into what needs to be arranged and what is most important to you at the moment. There are different legal routes. Which route is suitable depends, among other things, on the points on which you and your partner agree, the family situation and the available information.
You do not need to know yet which legal route is suitable. Write down what you want clarity on first.
Prepare the conversation without trying to solve everything
A concise overview helps more than a perfect case file. Make note of what is going on and what decisions cannot wait.
Do
- Write down since when you have been living apart or considering divorce.
- Note which agreements already exist and which are still under discussion.
- Make a list of your questions about the children, housing and finances.
Don’t
- Don't copy the legal route from someone else's story.
- Do not assume a fixed progression, because every family and every case file is different.
- Do not send private documents or sensitive details via the contact form.
An arrangement by mutual agreement may be possible in some situations. If agreement is lacking or irresponsible, a different approach may be necessary. This will only be assessed after discussing your situation.
What information helps during the first conversation?
Bring what you already have. Missing documents can be supplemented later if it turns out they are needed.
- The composition of your family and your current living situation
- Existing agreements, judgments or relevant correspondence
- The current arrangement for the children, if there is one
- An overview of income, fixed expenses and important assets where available
- Your most important questions and concerns
If you do not yet have a financial overview or if documents are missing, an initial conversation can still be useful. Just tell us what information you don't have yet.
Discuss what you already have
You agree about the children, but not yet about the house
A parent from the Vlaamse Rand wants a first conversation because the relationship is ending. For the time being, the parents have workable agreements about the children, but not about the home and joint expenses. A clear starting point is to identify what already works, which documents show the current situation and where legal insight is first required.
This is an illustrative example. It does not describe a client or actual case file.
What does an initial consultation clarify?
Flamend & Partners organizes questions about family, housing, financial agreements and existing documents. The conversation makes it clear which points require attention first and which route can be further investigated. It does not prescribe an outcome until your situation is sufficiently clear.
Who discusses your family situation?
Gauthier Baudts and Yasmine Semey work in family law within the office. After the conflict check, the office confirms who will have the first conversation and what preparation is useful.
A first conversation in Zaventem for families from Brussels and Flanders
The office is located in Zaventem and receives clients from the Flemish Rand, Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia. Where any procedure is handled depends on the specific family situation and is not determined solely by the office location.
Your family situationis discussedunder professional secrecy.
Before going into the content, the office will ask for the names of your partner and other parties involved. This information is necessary to first check that there is no conflict of interest.
A lawyer is bound by professional secrecy. You can briefly indicate via the contact form that your question concerns a divorce. Save private messages, financial documents and other sensitive documents for the method of sharing that the office agrees with you.
Gauthier Baudts
Yasmine SemeyQuestions for your first divorce conversation
An initial discussion maps out the choices. You do not need to determine a route in advance.
Is an agreement still possible?
That depends on the topics on which you agree, the willingness to discuss further and what is legally responsible. An agreement is not possible or appropriate in every situation.
How long does a divorce take?
The duration varies depending on the legal route chosen, the points under discussion and the further course of the case. A reliable estimate first requires insight into your case file.
What will it cost?
The costs depend on the route, the complexity and the work required. During the first meeting, the firm explains the approach it proposes and how the fees and costs are calculated.
Does my partner have to come along to the first meeting?
First contact the office and explain who is requesting advice and whether there are already joint agreements. After the conflict check, the office determines how an initial conversation can take place.
Your situation first deserves clarity.
Briefly explain what is going on. We carefully consider which next step is appropriate.