IC Services: The Divorce and Family Law Initial Consultation (IC) with Florida Family Law Attorney Catherine W. Real is the starting point in determining the kind of legal services a client may require. When a new client contacts the Divorce and Family Law Firm of Attorney Catherine W. Real, an appointment is made for the client to meet with Ms. Real. This first meeting usually takes place in our office in Tampa, but telephone or video Divorce and Family Law Initial Consultations are also available. After all, our clients with Florida family law problems come from all over the State of Florida and from many parts of the world.

During a Divorce and Family Law IC, our clients advise Ms. Real of all of the facts and circumstances about the difficulties they are experiencing. It is common for Ms. Real to ask many questions to fully flesh out the underlying problems.

After all of the facts are obtained, our clients are asked about their short and long term goals.

Armed with this background information, Ms. Real then advises the client, with attention to detail, about the legal remedies that may be available. A great effort is made to provide each client with an analysis of the possible legal actions available to address the legal difficulties identified and information about how Florida law relates to his or her particular family circumstances. The goal is to advise our clients of all of the rights and risks associated with legal action in the State of Florida.

The Divorce and Family Law Initial Consultation is scheduled for an hour but, if the circumstances require additional time, then additional time is given. There is no additional charge if the IC runs beyond the scheduled hour.

It is not necessary to bring any documents to the Divorce and Family Law Initial Consultation. If our client has been served with any papers, however, it is helpful to bring them along. If a Final Judgment has been entered or a Marital Settlement Agreement has been proposed or signed, it does not hurt to bring them in also.

But, our clients do not have to bring in any documents in order to have a productive Divorce and Family Law IC.

Depending upon the kinds of legal services required, many issues can be discussed during an initial consultation. Some of the questions asked could include:

• How will property be divided between divorcing spouses?
• What is going to happen to the home?
• Does a pension have to be shared?
• What does the law say about sharing stock options?
• Is alimony is likely to be awarded or modified?
• Can a substance-abusing spouse can be ordered into treatment.
• What is the definition of domestic violence?
• How long does a divorce usually take?
• What kinds of time-sharing arrangements for contact with children are available?
• How is child support calculated?
• When children are involved, under what circumstances is relocation allowed?

The goal is to ensure that all rights and risks are thoroughly explored during the Initial Consultation.

After advice has been given and all of our client's questions have been answered, Ms. Real will advise the client of the retainer she would request in order to represent him or her. The size of the retainer varies depending upon the complexities of the case. No retainers are quoted without having conducted the Divorce and Family Law Initial Consultation. The amount of the requested cost deposit will also be quoted.

Unless there are emergency situations, Ms. Real would prefer that prospective clients not retain immediately. It is the better practice for prospective clients to take a copy of the Firm's contract with them and to have an opportunity to think about the advice given before entering into a contract with the Firm. A prospective client is never pressured to retain the Firm.

Family law cases are generally emotionally charged. Because of this, many clients may not remember all of the advice given during the initial consultation. In recognition of this common phenomenon, our clients are invited to call back to speak with Ms. Real to clarify the advice given. There is no charge for these follow up calls prior to being retained. If retained, however, the Divorce and Family Law Firm of Attorney Catherine W. Real does charge for telephone calls.

To schedule an Initial Consultation, all a client has to do is call the office at (813) 251-6705 and ask for information about setting the initial consultation. If a client has been served with legal papers or an emergency exists, extraordinary efforts will be made to try to clear Ms. Real's calendar for an emergency initial consultation.