Getting a divorce is a stressful and often emotionally difficult process. Many people don’t want to go through the court system and hire a lawyer, thinking that this will take too long and cost too much money. In recent years, online divorce sites have started advertising as quick and easy alternatives to traditional divorce methods, providing people with the necessary documents to file without having to go to court. Online divorces are certainly legal, though they are not always recommended, especially if you and your spouse are facing a contentious divorce. If you and your spouse cannot agree on all major issues, then it’s best that you involve an attorney. If you are thinking about getting an online divorce, there are several drawbacks that you should consider before choosing this option…
Making Legally Binding Decision Without Professional Advice
The decisions you make in your divorce are legally binding. This means they cannot be changed unless there is a significant change in circumstances later on for you or your ex-spouse. Thus, having to make decisions about complicated legal issues without the advice of a knowledgeable lawyer can lead to regret. You may make decisions that are not in your financial favor, or you may agree to terms that hinder your relationship with your children in the long run. Thus, online and do-it-yourself divorce may result in regrettable decisions.
Completing Forms Without Assistance or Experience
Online divorce websites advertise as cheap, simple, and quick ways to obtain a divorce. However, they often still charge some money and do not provide assistance for making complicated legal decisions. This means you may actually spend more time and energy trying to figure out the necessary forms you must file than if you had the help of a lawyer. You will also have to do research to learn complex legal definitions and terms related to your case. The stress of filing for divorce through a do-it-yourself website is often much greater than hiring a knowledgeable attorney to walk you through the process.
In Court, Do You Want an Agreement Drafter or a Lawyer By Your Side?
An amicable divorce is synonymous with an uncontested or no contest divorce. Believe it or not, there is such a thing, and it works well in the appropriate contexts. However, if you have to show up to court with an agreement drafter online and your spouse has a lawyer by her side, you’re probably in for some trouble. An online service cannot replace an experienced and determined lawyer, especially when you are contesting complex family law issues. Divorce laws differ from state to state, and sometimes from county to county. While online divorce sites offer paperwork for general laws, they may not provide the exact details and forms that your particular county requires.
So are online divorce services safe to use? Relatively speaking, yes. But does that mean there are good for you? Probably not.
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About Grubbs & Landry
At Grubbs & Landry, PLLC, we are dedicated to personal and friendly service. We manage our practice in an ethical, cost-effective manner to best help our clients resolve their legal issues with the least expense possible. We pride ourselves in advocating for our client in divorce, child custody, and child support matters as well as other family law matters. We are active in prosecuting personal injury cases-recovering for the injuries our clients sustain due to the negligence of others. Additionally, we help our clients prepare for the future through the preparation of Wills, Power of Attorney and Living Will.
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