If you’re looking to get a do-it-yourself divorce using an online divorce service, then you’re making a really great decision.
Do-It-Yourself Divorce Eligibility
You and your spouse must agree to everything in order for an online divorce documentation service to work for you. If you’re still haggling over terms such as child custody and division of assets, for example, then getting a divorce without an attorney and instead getting a “do-it-yourself divorce” is not for you.
If you and your spouse have it all figured out, that’s great. Now you need to choose an online divorce preparation service. Where do you begin looking? There are so many divorce document preparation services to choose from.
Choosing an Online Divorce Service
Before I set out the chief criteria to judge an online service by, I’ll just say this: spending a couple of hundred extra dollars for getting your forms filled out by a do-it-yourself divorce service is a very good idea. The fact is, getting any type of documents processed through the courts in any state can be tricky. Get your documents filled out correctly the first time with the right forms so that you get your divorce processed smoothly and quickly.
Now to the heart of the matter. Here are some criteria to consider when deciding on an online divorce document preparation service:
Price:
Obviously cost is important. However, don’t go for the “kit” or blank forms you fill out yourself. You can get those for free at your local courthouse. You want a service that will actually fill in the forms for you so that all you need to do is print and file. Expect to pay $250 to $300 for a decent service. Considering you’ll be saving thousands of dollars by getting a divorce without a lawyer, paying a couple of hundred dollars is well worth the expense to get your paperwork completed and processed quickly.
Speed:
Look for an Online divorce service that can complete your paperwork quickly – as in 1 to 3 business days – especially if you’re paying more than $200.
Kit or Actual Service:
Don’t get a service that is merely a book or a bunch of blank forms. As I said above, you can get these for free or for cheap at your local courthouse or Online. Instead, get a divorce service that actually fills in the paperwork based on the detailed information you provide.
Support:
Once you are a customer, what kind of support do you get? Is there a toll free telephone number? Is there an email contact option? Are you left on your own once the paperwork is processed? Can you make changes to your forms? It’s important you have follow-up support so that you can get it done thoroughly without being left on your own.
Revisions:
Can you request changes to your completed forms? This is important. After you receive your completed paperwork, you or your spouse may want to make a change. You don’t want to have to go get your own forms and start over. You want full access to the support to help with your changes.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials:
Check out what other customers have to say about the service. You want a service that presents many diverse testimonials.
Featured in the Media:
The Internet is a new way of providing legal services. The media is interested in legal work processed Online. A great service will have exposure in the media – preferably national and international media.
Access to Legal Advice:
It could just turn out that you may need some legal advice. Instead of hunting for a divorce attorney in your town, it’s great if you have fast access to a local attorney through the divorce service who already has all the information you provided.
A comprehensive online service will offer you access to a divorce attorney in case you need some legal advice. If it turns out your matter is complex, the advice may be to actually hire a lawyer. However, your question may be simply answered by the direct contact with the service’s lawyer.
That alone makes the service worthwhile. Generally, legal advice through a divorce service is an additional charge. Be sure to ask rather than assume it’s included in the original price.
Learn more about getting a divorce without a lawyer. If you wish to use a divorce service, read this divorce service review.