- Divorce.com: Best Overall
- 3StepDivorce: Most Flexible Payments
- LegalZoom: Best Attorney-Reviewed Option
- DivorceNet: Best Free Perks
- DivorceWriter: Best No-Rush Option
- MyDivorcePapers: Clearest State-by-State Explanations
- Rocket Lawyer: Most Affordable (With Subscription)
Will my court accept online divorce papers?
Most of the services reviewed are careful to state that they are not offering legal advice but are rather assisting you in representing yourself. They are, therefore, not guaranteeing that your court will accept the papers they help prepare. That being said, they are in the business of keeping up with requirements in different states and wouldn’t be able to stay in business if they charged for unreliable services.
On the other hand, some of the services provide guarantees that the paperwork they help you create will be accepted or your money back.
Are online divorces legal?
You can’t actually get fully divorced online. You’ll need to sign paperwork—often in the presence of a notary—and file it with the clerk of court. Your spouse will have to be legally served with paperwork. Some states require a brief hearing for uncontested divorce.
It’s perfectly legal to hire someone else to prepare the paperwork, however. Having the documents prepared online by a service like those discussed in this article can be a way to streamline the process and get the help you need with the paperwork.
Are there other online divorce services?
There are lots of other online divorce services. We only considered services that serve all 50 states. There may be regional or state-specific services near you that provide excellent services. In fact, many attorneys now offer online services in addition to their traditional practices. You may have far more options for online divorce service than you see in this article.
There are also many online divorce services we did not include in this review because they were very similar to ones we did review or because they did not meet our standards. Take your time to consider all the options available to you before you choose a service for your divorce papers.
Can I get a divorce online for free?
If you meet your state’s financial requirements to be considered “indigent” or a “poor person,” you can get all the court fees waived in your case. Most states offer free online access to divorce forms through their websites. When you combine those two things, you can have a free divorce, However, that is a divorce without any legal assistance or help at all.
If you need legal assistance and are in financial need, you might qualify for help from a legal aid agency or for pro bono (free) legal services through an agency or volunteer lawyer program.
Even if you qualify for these services and waivers, you may still have to appear in person in court to finalize your divorce.
How long does an online divorce take?
Many of the online divorce services state that you can complete their forms in under an hour. However, you must then print them, sign them before a notary (in some situations), have your spouse served, file them with the court and possibly appear in court.
Some states have waiting periods you must adhere to before a divorce can be finalized which can add months to the process. Some cities have busy court calendars with waits of several months for a court date. If your divorce is uncontested and you complete the paperwork correctly and follow all the steps, you can likely be divorced within a few months.
Can you get a divorce without a lawyer?
You absolutely can get a divorce without a lawyer. There is no requirement that you have an attorney. Representing yourself is called appearing “pro se.” Even if you choose not to hire an attorney you can use an online divorce service to complete the paperwork.
What is an uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce is a divorce in which both spouses agree on all the terms and issues in the divorce. There is no trial since everything is resolved by the spouses. They submit a settlement agreement to the court which becomes the terms of the divorce judgment.
An uncontested divorce can also occur when one spouse does not respond to divorce papers and does not appear at all. In that situation, the filing spouse proceeds with the case uncontested and the court grants them what they request if it is reasonable.
A contested divorce occurs when you and your spouse are not able to agree on the terms of the divorce. If you can’t come to a settlement, your case goes before a judge for a trial. The judge then decides all of the issues involved in the divorce and issues a divorce judgment you are bound by.
How do I check the status of my divorce online?
If you are using an online divorce service, you check contact their customer service for information on the status of your document preparation.
Once you have filed your papers with your court, your state likely has an online system where you can track the status of your divorce if you have a case number. You can also call the court clerk to ask where your case is at in the process. If you have an attorney, they can update you as to the status of your case.