I handle a slew of client consultations where the person on the other side of the conference table from me is nervous, scared, and for the first time articulating out loud that they want a divorce. They have many questions to which there are no direct answers. My non-committal "it depends" does little to calm their fears. My personal approach to divorce practice is to cooperate when possibly to be prepared for total non-cooperation.

Here are some steps you can take before you reach this step to make the process smoother in preparing for separation and the first attorney meeting.