Marcus Richards
The time it takes to file a divorce online is subject to several factors, including individual circumstances.. However, filing for divorce online can certainly be a quicker option than going the more traditional route. Sites like Divorce Bob streamline and simplify the administrative process so that you are able to file quickly and with confidence, whether you wish to file for divorce in California, Texas or New York.
Divorce is always difficult. It can also be expensive and slow-moving. People tend to either try the DIY route, which involves becoming familiar with a whole host of court rules, procedures and forms. Or they hire a divorce lawyer, which can be incredibly expensive.
Luckily, there is now a third option in the form of the online divorce service.
What is an Online Divorce Service?
An online divorce service is an internet-based company that guides you through all the steps that you need to take in order to file for divorce.
At a minimum, online divorce companies will provide you with the completed divorce complaint (also known as a “petition”) as well as the other necessary forms that your state requires in order to file and finalize a divorce. The forms that the service provides will generally be based on a questionnaire that you must fill out at the beginning of the process. The forms that are drawn for you will be specifically for your state.
However, online divorce companies may also offer more in-depth services to you, such as assistance in filing the forms and preparing a divorce settlement agreement.
While using an online divorce service won’t result in an actual written divorce judgment (this can only be issued by a judge), the service will lead you through all the administrative steps necessary to get a successful judgment of divorce by the court.
There are many online divorce services out there, so it is important that you investigate the reliability of the one that you have chosen by checking out reviews from sites such as Trustpilot. You can also check blogs written by those who have gone through the online process to find the most reliable provider.
How Do I File for Divorce Online?
The point of online divorce services is that they greatly simplify a complicated process. So it is often quite simple to file for divorce online. Usually, you will open an account and choose a password. Online divorce services put a premium on security, since you will be disclosing a great deal of personal information as you go through the process (this information is necessary to correctly complete the court documents that you will need).
Usually you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire with questions related to the ground for divorce. If the divorce is to be uncontested, this needs to be a “no-fault” ground, such as “irreconcilable differences”. You will also have to provide the name of age of any children you have, sources of income for both spouses, and a thorough list of marital assets (such as real estate and joint investments).
In order to save time and be thorough, it’s advisable that you have the information that you need on hand before you complete the questionnaire.
After the questionnaire is completed, the service will generate the necessary, completed forms for you. The service also should provide detailed instructions on where and how to file the forms.
How Much Does It Cost to File a Divorce Online?
The prices to file for divorce online tend to vary. They can cost anywhere from $200 to $3,000 depending on the services that the company provides. The top end of this may seem quite expensive, however this is still much cheaper than taking the traditional, contested route that involves attorneys and a trial. Going the online route also makes it easier to split the cost with your spouse.
The billing policy for any online divorce service is usually available on their site. Some charge a flat fee, others may bill monthly until the divorce is final.
It is important to note that there are other costs associated with a divorce, such as the court fees for filing your divorce paperwork. The cost of this will depend on the state that you and your spouse reside in. Some charge less than $100, some more than $400.
How Long Does an Online Divorce Take?
Generally, using an online divorce service means both simplifying and speeding up the process of divorce. Once you have gathered the necessary personal and financial information to complete the questionnaire, you should receive the completed forms very quickly.
However, it is important to note that once you have filed the paperwork with the court, you will have to abide by the time periods that are stipulated in your state’s divorce rules and regulations. Depending on where you live, the timeline from filing to finalizing the divorce can take from a matter of weeks to several months. In fact, some states require mandatory waiting periods before a judge is able to issue a final divorce judgment. For example, in California, divorces cannot be finalized until at least six months after the divorce complaint is filed.
While you are somewhat constricted by your state’s divorce laws, and court backlog, most courts tend to fast-track uncontested divorces. This means that you are able to avoid many of the procedural elements that come with contested divorces, thus greatly speeding up the process.
Overall, online divorce services such as Divorce Bob take much of the financial and emotional stress out of filing for divorce. They significantly speed up the timeline of divorce proceedings and take the financial sting out of the process by bypassing the need for legal representation.
