If you are considering a divorce, then you are not alone. Divorce is common in the world today, and it does not carry the same stigma it did in the past. In fact, divorce services are in high demand, and the courts are having trouble keeping up with the processing of filings, often leaving embattled spouses in limbo, waiting for an end to their case [1].
Fortunately, there’s a way around all of that. By taking your divorce online, you can effectively bypass the court backlogs and get your proceedings finalized fast and easily. If you want to get through your divorce as quickly as possible, then follow these simple steps, and you will be ready to move on to the next stage of your life.
Agree to an Uncontested Divorce
If you want a fast and easy divorce online, then you must be willing to agree to an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse are in agreement on all of the divorce terms. Once this takes place, you can proceed with an online divorce.
Online divorces save you time and money and let you go about your life without much interruption, but only if you and your spouse can come to an agreement on the following:
- Child custody, when applicable
- Asset division
- Spousal maintenance
- Debt responsibility
This list is not exhaustive and does not apply to all marriages. The key takeaway is you and your spouse must be in complete agreement about who gets what. Unfortunately, many divorces are too explosive to qualify for an uncontested divorce. However, if you and your spouse are in agreement, then you are great candidates for one.
In some instances, only a few minor disagreements prevent a couple from filing an uncontested divorce. If you find yourself in this situation, consider the difference in time and resource requirements between contested and uncontested divorces.
Contested Divorce
As with most things, time equals money when it comes to divorces. If you and your spouse have to contest portions of your divorce agreement, then you can expect to pay an amount that is directly impacted by how quickly you can come to an agreement.
When looking at the average cost of a divorce, you will see that couples are paying $12,000 or more in many jurisdictions to settle their divorces. Even if you only have one point of contention that prevents the divorce from being uncontested, you can expect to fork out more money and devote more time to the process [2].
Uncontested Divorce
By going with an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse are essentially saying there is no need to spend time or money on anything but the legal filings and associated costs. What are some of these associated expenses you avoid? Depending on the circumstances, they may include:
- Forensic accounting services
- Additional fees for an attorney
- Psychological evaluation of children in custody disputes
- Mandated parenting classes
If your unresolved issues are worth a significant amount of your time and money above what you would pay with an uncontested divorce, then an easy, online divorce is likely not a good fit for you. However, if getting to the end in a speedy manner is worth compromising on a few points, then you will likely benefit from an online divorce.
Skip Legal Separation
The fastest way to get a divorce finalized is to skip legal separation. In most but not all states, you can do this without issue if you are filing a no-fault divorce. Make sure to check the requirements of your jurisdiction so you can sidestep any surprises in the future.
A no-fault divorce means neither you nor your spouse is blaming each other for the cause of the divorce. Common reasons for at-fault divorces include:
- Adult*ry
- Abandonment
- Emotional or physical abuse
Remember, if you choose an at-fault divorce, you will likely have to go through a time of legal separation, which will turn a fast divorce into a slow one.
Use an Online Divorce Service to Hire an Attorney
The next step in getting your divorce finalized is to enlist the services of a skilled divorce attorney. You want a professional who has a proven track record of handling divorces in a quick and efficient manner. An online divorce service can help you find one.
Services like CompleteCase.com put many couples in touch with competent divorce attorneys who handle their cases fast and with little to no fuss. For a reasonable fee, you will have access to powerful online tools that walk you through the divorce process and assist you in filling out all necessary forms and documents.
You’ll also have access to customer service reps by phone and email. They’ll answer any questions you have and help you through the process. They will also help you find a dedicated divorce attorney.
Other similar legal services include OnlineDivorce.com, 3 Step Divorce, and Legal Zoom. With any of these, there is no need to fret over a long, complicated divorce process. In fact, you can have your divorce paperwork completed in less than 30 minutes with some of these companies.
Wait for the Finalized Legal Documents
At this point, your work is done. All of the paperwork and documents have been reviewed by your legal service and your attorney and are now in the hands of the judge. They will read through your filing and decide whether to grant the divorce or not.
While waiting, it is important to understand that current events may have an effect on the courts. Delays are everywhere, even with online filings. Expect to wait anywhere between three to 12 months for a conclusion to your online divorce, depending on your state and county, the judge, and the court system.
Contested divorces can take as long as two years. If you do not want to wait that long and want the fastest service you can get, then an online divorce is for you. Simply reach out to a qualified legal service to get started