Marriage may start as a lifelong commitment years ago, but it doesn’t always stay that way. According to the recent data, the divorce rate in Washington is among the top ten highest in the U.S. at 9,6%. With legal separation being so common, it is only natural that people want to simplify and speed up this process as much as possible by making an application for divorce online. Is it worth it? Let’s find out.
Online Divorce – What Is It?
The term ‘online divorce’ or ‘internet divorce’ can be somewhat misleading. Don’t be mistaken – doing your paperwork online is absolutely legal in 50 states and can save you a lot of time and money. However, there is no such thing as ‘getting a divorce over the internet here and now.’ You won’t be able to do a complete divorce online, but you’ll be able to get some assistance with filling out your paperwork. Be prepared that even with online help, you’ll still have to wait for the procedure to be over.
Filling out the divorce documentation online has become very popular in recent years. It is a great option if you and your ex-spouse are having an uncontested divorce, don’t have any children, and are both looking to reduce the cost of divorce.
The whole process is very simple. You answer questions about your marriage and based on your answers, the platform fills out your divorce forms. After you pay for the online divorce company service such as divorcewashingtononline.com, you’ll be able to receive your court-ready documents within a couple of days.
Valid Grounds For Divorce in Washington
Like in many other states, in Washington, courts require a legal reason for proceeding with the dissolution of marriage. Unlike most states, Washington is a strictly no-fault state and only recognizes one ground: ‘irretrievable breakdown.’ It basically means that the marriage is broken and cannot be fixed. In some cases, it can become a problem if one spouse doesn’t want to get a divorce. If that party can prove that the marriage is not broken, it won’t be applicable.
To be able to file for divorce in Washington, you’d need to be able to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You currently live in Washington;
- Your spouse currently lives in Washington;
- You’re currently serving in the military and are stationed in Washington;
- Your spouse is serving in the military and will be stationed in Washington for 90+ days after the divorce documents are filed with the court.
If you meet one of these requirements and your spouse and you agreed to have an uncontested divorce, you can file your documents with the court, pay the filing fees, and wait. It typically takes a minimum waiting period of 90 days until the final orders are entered. It might take longer if the couple has disagreements about the divorce process. In this case, the divorce process might even be moved to trial.
Filling Out Divorce Documents Online: Pros and Cons
Preparing your documentation online while getting a divorce by using special forms or services can be convenient, which is why many people choose this option. Let’s get into more detail about when you should use this format and what main ‘underwater stones’ it has.
Filling Out Divorce Documents Online: Pros
- Online divorce documents preparation services are affordable. Even though you won’t be able to find a completely free service to help you out with filling out your divorce papers, the price for those rarely exceeds a few hundred dollars. It is a rather inexpensive deal in comparison to the price of the lawyer’s services.
- It will allow you to fill out your divorce documents fast. By hiring a lawyer, you won’t be their only client and will have to wait for them one way or another. With an online service, you’ll be able to start working on your divorce documents the second you sign in.
- You’ll be more certain about your documents’ correctness. No one can possibly know more about your marriage than you. By letting a computer automatically fill in the documents with your answers, you eliminate the risk of making a mistake.
- You might not even have to show up at the court. If you decide to make your documents online and waive your right to appeal – chances are pretty high you won’t have to see your ex or show up at the courthouse at all.
- You’ll feel that you’re in control. When such a big part of your life as marriage is falling apart, you will probably want it to be as quick as possible, to relieve yourself from stress. If you decide to do it yourself, you will know exactly how long it’s going to take by being in charge of filling out your own documents.
Filling Out Divorce Documents Online: Cons
- It only works with an uncontested divorce. If the petitioner and the respondent cannot come to an agreement about their divorce – it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer who will represent you and make sure that you will receive your share.
- You have to be aware of scams. Before you provide your credit card information to any website out there, read people’s reviews about it and make sure this is a trustworthy service.
- A lawyer won’t review your paperwork. An online divorce documents preparation service rarely has an attorney on staff. You probably won’t need that kind of proofread but sometimes being extra sure is necessary.
Hiring a Lawyer For the Divorce Forms Preparation: Pros and Cons
While filling out the divorce forms online is a great option for many people, hiring a lawyer is still a necessity in some cases. For example, you should consider these pros of such a decision:
- You might want to hire an attorney if you have children. Most online document filling services have standardized forms that won’t necessarily fit your situation. It’s not a risk worth taking when you are a parent, especially if you want the children to stay with you. In this situation, hiring someone proficient in Family Law and child custody, in particular, might be worth the effort.
- Owning a property is a valid reason to hire a lawyer. Online forms can be helpful if the couple doesn’t own much. However, if you have real estate, expensive cars, or any valuable possessions, it’s best to hire a specialist to ensure that the legal separation and property division will be done in your best interest.
However, as helpful as a divorce attorney might be for you, there are some cons that you need to consider:
- Hiring a lawyer is expensive. Hiring a good lawyer is much more costly than dealing with DIY divorce form filing.
- It might cause some unnecessary drama. Hiring a lawyer without telling your ex-spouse about it might make them think that you’re trying to rip them off and will eventually cause some tension in an already stressful situation.
Final Thoughts
Uncontested divorces with no children or expensive property can usually be handled without an attorney, just by using web divorce services to take care of the paperwork. However, if your situation is a little bit more complicated or you’re relying on spousal support/alimony, it is best to hire a specialist to protect your interests. Either way, remember that while filing for divorce can seem stressful at first, there are plenty of options out there to make it easier for you.
