Have you felt paralyzed by the thought of meeting a divorce lawyer, fearing that stepping into the office makes the end of your marriage a done deal? What if that first meeting isn’t about starting a fight, but about finally gaining the clarity and game plan you need to move forward?

This week on A Year and a Day, Jaime Davis sits down with her colleague Grace Massarelli, a family law attorney at Gailor Hunt who guides clients through the high-anxiety early stages of separation. Grace pulls back the curtain on the initial consultation, transforming it from a scary "point of no return" into an empowering information-gathering session.

They discuss the emotional intelligence required to navigate this transition and why the most important person in the room is actually you—the captain of your own goals.

Tune in for:

• Why the initial consultation is the first page of your next chapter and how it can set the tone for your entire case.
• Normalizing the "emotional soup" of anxiety, guilt, and anger—and why authenticity is more important than a strong face in the lawyer's office.
• The "Exposure Check": Why your attorney needs to know the worst true thing the other side can say about you.
• The difference between legal options and non-legal alternatives (and why seeing a lawyer doesn't always mean a lawsuit).
• Why North Carolina's specific "Year and a Day" separation requirement makes this process a marathon, not a sprint.
• How to determine if a lawyer is a good fit for your personality and whether their approach aligns with your desired level of conflict.
• Practical tips on what to bring (contracts and prenups) and what to leave at home (thousands of text messages and five years of bank statements).
• The "Choose Your Own Adventure" nature of legal fees and how to communicate your budget to stay in control of the costs.
• Grace’s three takeaways for anyone terrified to take the first step: It’s okay to feel, information is power, and you will be okay.

About Grace Massarelli:

Grace Massarelli is a family law attorney at Gailor Hunt in North Carolina. She works closely with clients at the outset of their cases, helping them navigate the complexities of equitable distribution, alimony, and child custody with a focus on intentional decision-making and realistic expectations.

Resources & Links:

• 
  Gailor Hunt Law Firm: https://divorcestough.com
• Follow Gailor Hunt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gailor-hunt-davis-taylor-&-clark-r-p-l-l-c-/

A Year and a Day is hosted by Jaime Davis, board-certified family law attorney at Gailor Hunt.