Is it possible to obtain a divorce online?

No matter where you live, these sites are not designed to help you sort out who gets Junior over school holidays or how to get more money out of your soon-to-be-ex. They're best suited to people who already agree on the basic issues and want to separate assets and lives with as little rigmarole as possible. If you disagree on the division of assets, child custody, or even the decision to get divorced in the first place, the sites will likely refer you to a lawyer. You may also be referred to a lawyer or accountant if you have a large amount of assets or will be dividing retirement accounts.

People often say they want a divorce the "easy way". This happens so often that it is perfectly obvious that there are very many couples in this position. Last year, an about-to-be-divorced friend remarked that anyone thinking divorce was too easy had never been through the process. Maybe he should have tried getting divorced online.

LegalZoom and CompleteCase are the front-runners of a handful of sites promising completed divorce paperwork -- sometimes instantly -- for thousands of dollars less than the typical offline split. The sites don't just offer blank legal forms for download or general divorce information, as many similar sites and offline do-it-yourself kits do. They help you fill out state-specific divorce forms they guarantee will be accepted by your local courts.

That's not to say you can get a finalized divorce online -- yet.

For years we’ve all seen the dirty, messy divorces of celebrities slashed across every tabloid and talk show. We know that divorces can be ugly, mean and down right cruel. These are usually contested divorces, where one or both of the parties involved can not decided on the terms and agreements of their mutual assets.

Online divorces are not designed for these types of complicated situations. If your divorce is headed in that direction, get a lawyer. Online divorces cater to uncontested cases. An uncontested divorce is when both parties are in agreement and have chosen to split amicably.


Just the idea of getting a divorce online begs a bucket full of questions. Don’t you need a lawyer? What about the kids and the house? Is it legal?

Fact is a lawyer is not required. An uncontested divorce may be filled and filed directly to the court house without ever speaking to an attorney. Since all parties are in agreement on all matters, there is no reason to bring in a third party. One of the benefits to enlisting an online legal or divorce service is the cost.

These types of services are an excellent choice for those with low incomes who cannot afford an attorney. Most online divorce services will use an interview style questionnaire asking you a series of questions and the site populates the forms with your answers; you're not looking at the actual divorce documents and trying to make sense of them. LegalZoom also reviews your answers for spelling and grammatical errors and makes sure the final paperwork is formatted to your court's requirements. So if you're filing for divorce in San Diego, Calif., for example, the documentation you receive from LegalZoom will be on the multicolored paper those courts require. “In other places, the courts might require them to have hole punches at the top or for them to be a specific color of paper. … we take care of all that.”

The completed paperwork arrives in the mail 7-10 days later, ready to be faxed, mailed or submitted at the courthouse.

At CompleteCase, you're walked through your state's divorce forms question by question, with explanatory text provided. Once finished, you print the documents on your own printer and file them with the appropriate court. You can go back in to edit your responses and reprint the paperwork as many times as you need to. You will need to take care of any filing requirements on your own -- for, say, that colored paper.

Forms and paperwork is one of the most important legal processes. The completion service will prepare the paperwork according to state and federal guidelines. One of the most common mistakes in DIY divorces is that the forms are incorrect. These services ensure the correct forms are prepared and 100 percent legal. Many services include a satisfaction guarantee.

The preparation service will then mail or email the prepared forms, usually within about two days, ready to be signed, notarized and filed.

A notary is one of the most important persons in the signing process. A notary public is a person that has been authorized by the state to certify documents. The signature and seal/stamp of a notary public is required when filing an uncontested divorce.

After the paperwork has been filed it is unlikely a person will have to appear in court for any reason. Although, there are exceptions to all legal rules and a judge may need to speak to one or both parties involved depending on the circumstances of the divorce.

Remember these services do not constitute as legal council and are not acting as attorneys. They are designed to help people represent themselves in their own legal matters.

The Internet has become a powerful and useful tool. It seems just about anything can be accomplished via the information super highway. It’s our fast track to news, shopping, love and divorce.

Some people think you can go online and meet your future husband or wife and then divorce them the next day. It's not really like that,”You can't get divorced with the click of a button -- you still have to go through the court system.”