You Had Your Consultation. Here's What Happens Next.
Updated: Oct 18
If you just got off a consultation call with one of our attorneys, you probably have two feelings at the same time: some relief that you finally talked to someone, and a lingering question of "okay, so what do I actually do now?" This post walks through exactly what happens from here, in the order it happens, so nothing feels like a mystery.
Step 1: Decide whether you want to move forward
There is no pressure here. The consultation was designed to give you a realistic picture of your situation, your options, and what working together would look like. Some people are ready to start the same day. Others need a week to think, talk to their family, or get their finances in order. Both are fine.
One thing worth being candid about: LaRocque Law has not agreed to represent you, and has not been hired to protect your interests, until you sign an engagement agreement and the retainer is paid. That matters if there are deadlines in your case. If you were served with papers, have a court date coming up, or received a demand from the other side, tell us right away so we can talk about timing before you decide.
If you have questions that came up after the call, email or call us. You do not have to have everything figured out to ask.
Step 2: Review and sign the engagement agreement
When you tell us you would like to move forward, we send you an engagement agreement. It spells out the scope of what we are handling, how billing works, the retainer amount, and what each of us is responsible for. Read it. If anything is unclear, ask before you sign. We would much rather answer a question up front than have you surprised later.
The agreement is signed electronically, so there is nothing to print or mail.
Step 3: Pay the retainer
The retainer is a deposit that goes into a client trust account. It is not a flat fee. We bill against it as work is done, you receive itemized invoices showing exactly what was done and how long it took, and any unused portion is returned to you at the end of the matter. Your engagement agreement explains when and how the retainer gets replenished.
Once the signed agreement and the retainer are both in, you are officially a client and we get to work. This is also the point at which we can start contacting the other side or their attorney on your behalf.
Step 4: Complete your intake questionnaire
Shortly after you retain us, you will receive an intake questionnaire. This is the single most useful thing you can do to move your case forward quickly. It covers the basics (names, dates, addresses, children, employment) and the details that shape strategy (assets, debts, income, the history of the relationship, what you are hoping for).
Be thorough and be honest, including about the parts that do not make you look good. We cannot protect you from a problem we do not know about, and the other side will almost certainly bring it up. Everything you share with us is confidential.
Step 5: Gather your documents
In almost every family law matter, the court and the other side will want to see financial records. Getting a head start now saves time and money later. Start pulling together:
Recent pay stubs and your last three years of tax returns
Statements for bank accounts, retirement accounts, and investment accounts
Mortgage statements, deeds, and vehicle titles
Credit card and loan statements
Any existing court orders, agreements, or pleadings from the other side
Any premarital or postnuptial agreement
If children are involved, school records, medical information, and a rough sense of the current schedule
You do not need to have every single thing before we start. Send what you have, and we will tell you what is still needed.
Step 6: Strategy meeting
Once we have your questionnaire and initial documents, we schedule a strategy meeting with your attorney. This is where the consultation becomes a plan. We go through what we have learned, identify what is missing, talk through the realistic range of outcomes, and decide on the first moves, whether that is filing, responding to something already filed, sending a letter, or opening settlement conversations.
You will leave that meeting knowing what is happening next and what your role in it is.
Step 7: We start work
From here, what happens depends on your case. It might mean drafting and filing a petition, responding to one, preparing a financial affidavit, sending discovery, or negotiating an agreement. Whatever it is, we will explain what we are doing and why before we do it, and we will tell you what we need from you and by when.
Family law cases rarely move as fast as anyone wants. Court schedules, the other side's cooperation, and the complexity of the issues all affect timing. We will give you honest expectations rather than optimistic ones.
A few things to do (and not do) in the meantime
Do keep records. Save texts, emails, and messages with the other party. Write down dates and details of anything significant while it is fresh.
Do keep paying your bills and your usual expenses. Do not move money around, close accounts, take on new debt, or transfer property without talking to us first. Courts pay close attention to this, and it can hurt you.
Do not post about your case, your ex, or your finances on social media. Assume anything you post will end up in front of a judge.
Do not sign anything from the other side or their attorney without sending it to us first.
Do be careful about what you say to the other party. Stay calm and factual in writing. If communication is getting heated, tell us and we will talk about how to handle it.
If children are involved, keep their routine as normal as possible and keep them out of the conflict.
What you can expect from us
You will get straight answers, even when they are not what you were hoping to hear. You will know what is happening in your case and what it is costing. You will get a response when you reach out, and if your attorney is in court, someone from our team will let you know when to expect to hear back. If we do not know something yet, we will tell you that rather than guess.
Ready to get started?
Reply to the email that brought you here, call us at (312) 584-3456, or let us know you are ready and we will send the engagement agreement the same day. If you are still thinking it over, that is fine too. Just keep the deadlines in mind, and reach out if anything changes.
LaRocque Law | (312) 584-3456 | larocque-law.com | Schedule Online
LaRocque Law is an Illinois family law firm serving Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties. This post is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
