FamLaw: Divorce Online

Written by James Frank | 15/06/16 12:03 AM

Online Divorce – No hassle, no court and no lawyers in three easy steps! As divorce becomes increasingly common in society, more and more people are turning to online DIY divorce services to legally separate from their husband or wife. Yet these kinds of advertisements can hold hidden traps. This article will give you the truth about divorce and whether you truly need a lawyer or whether online options are just as good.

Considering this article comes from a law firm, you are probably expecting us to say that pursuing a DIY divorce online is a terrible idea. Well, we are not going to say that. The truth is that the Courts have streamlined divorce so that it is a relatively simple process – even the Courts recommend that applicants may apply for a divorce by themselves! As long as you rely on the information provided by the Courts and spend time researching the requirements for divorce before making your application, it is possible to get divorce almost without leaving your chair.

However, there are some very good reasons why online divorce may not be the best option for you. Aside from the fact that your lawyer will have completed hundreds of divorce applications and will be able to save you a lot of hassle, the most important reason to seek legal advice is that divorce has a number of other legal implications that you need to consider.

Parenting and Property: If you have children and/or assets from your marriage, you will probably need other legal advice in family law to resolve the parenting and property matters which will inevitably arise.
Protecting your estate: Divorcing your partner will means that your Will needs adjusting to reflect both a new asset pool and new beneficiaries. You may need to nominate a new enduring guardian and a new power of attorney as well.
Business protection: IF you have a business, especially one you share with your ex-partner, you may need to reconsider your business plan and seek business advice.

While it is possible to complete your divorce online, it is not possible to resolve all these matters online. It is vital that you seek legal advice so you can have certainty moving forward after your divorce.

If you have a family law matter, concerns on your divorce or questions about family law and divorce in NSW and want to find out more please do not hesitate to contact us on 9688 6023 or email us at info@franklegal.com.au.

This article is provided to the reader for general information. It is not legal advice. It was written by Andrea Spencer & Emily Graham and edited by James Frank.