Why Your Attorney Keeps Asking for Documents During a Divorce Case
- Dallas & Gracey Law Firm
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
One of the most frustrating parts of practicing family law has nothing to do with judges, opposing attorneys, or courtroom hearings.
It is trying to prepare a case without the information needed to prepare the case.
Every week, we have clients tell us they want us to fight for custody.
They want child support.
They want alimony.
They want a fair division of property.
They want us to prepare for an upcoming hearing.
Then we ask for the documents needed to do those things.
And we wait.
Sometimes we wait days.
Sometimes weeks.
Sometimes months.
The reality is that your attorney cannot build a case out of thin air.
Family Law Cases Run on Information
Many people imagine court is about who tells the better story.
In reality, family law cases are often decided based upon evidence.
That evidence frequently includes:
Financial affidavits
Tax returns
Bank statements
Retirement account statements
Pay stubs
Mortgage documents
Credit card statements
Text messages
Emails
Witness information
If we do not have the information, we cannot properly evaluate the case.
More importantly, we cannot properly prepare the case.
"I'll Get It To You"
Those five words have probably caused more delays in family law cases than most people realize.
We ask for financial documents.
The client intends to send them.
Life gets busy.
The documents never arrive.
A week later we send another request.
Then another.
Then another.
Before long, a hearing date is approaching and critical information is still missing.
The problem is that legal deadlines do not stop because a client has not gathered documents.
The case continues moving forward.
The Hurricane Effect
Clients often think a missing document is a minor issue.
It rarely is.
Imagine Cheryl is preparing for a temporary hearing.
She is reviewing the facts.
Preparing witness examinations.
Organizing exhibits.
Reviewing financial affidavits.
Researching legal issues.
Developing a strategy.
Then we discover we still do not have a retirement statement that was requested three weeks ago.
Or updated bank records.
Or witness information.
Everything changes.
The hearing preparation stops.
Emails are sent.
Phone calls are made.
Staff members start searching for information.
Financial calculations may need to be revised.
Exhibits may need to be recreated.
Arguments may need to be adjusted.
What started as one missing document suddenly creates ten new problems.
A single missing piece of information can create a hurricane of last-minute work that affects everyone involved in the case.
Financial Affidavits Are Only As Good As The Information Behind Them
One of the most common examples involves financial affidavits.
Clients sometimes view the financial affidavit as just another form.
Judges often view it as one of the most important documents in the case.
If income is wrong, expenses are wrong, debts are wrong, or account balances are wrong, the entire analysis can be affected.
That is why we ask for supporting documentation.
Not because we enjoy paperwork.
Because accuracy matters.
Help Your Attorney Help You
Most attorneys do not need perfect documents.
We simply need the information.
The sooner we receive it, the sooner we can evaluate the facts, prepare for hearings, respond to discovery, negotiate settlements, and develop a strategy.
When information is missing, everything becomes harder.
When information arrives at the last minute, everything becomes rushed.
When information is provided promptly, your attorney can spend time preparing your case instead of chasing paperwork.
And that is almost always a better use of everyone's time.
Every case is different, but one thing remains true in nearly every family law matter: preparation matters. If you need assistance with a divorce, custody case, child support dispute, modification, or other family law matter in Georgia, contact Dallas & Gracey Law Firm to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
Comments