How to File for a Divorce on the Internet
You're probably a good candidate for an Internet divorce if you and your spouse don't have children or own any assets together. Nonetheless, even if that's not the case, if you can reach an agreement in the matters of dispensation of assets or child custody, then an online divorce is one of the most popular ways today to effect a settlement.
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Instructions
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Before you go online and download any paperwork, make sure you have your financial information in order. This includes how you want your assets distributed and information about the custody of your children if you have any. To make the process easier, make sure that you've agreed beforehand with your spouse on how these matters will be handled. Also, prepare a budget for yourself so you'll have a firm footing after the divorce with respect to your finances.
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Next you will want to access a website in order to complete your information. There are several good sites which provide this type of service. You can choose from LegalZoom.com; CompleteCase.com; or 3StepDivorce.com.
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Next, you'll need to review the residency requirements and laws for your state. If you don't meet the residency requirements, you can see if your spouse does. Normally, a "Dissolution of Marriage" is filed in the county where the petitioner or the spouse who is filing for the divorce lives.
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Log in to the site and answer the questions on the online questionnaire. Once you choose the state in which you wish to file for divorce, you'll enter your name and then go to the next screen and enter your spouse's name. You'll then enter which spouse is filing for divorce, the date you were married, as well as the date of separation or the month and year you and your spouse decided that your marriage was over. From this screen, you will be directed to a screen to generate the needed forms or divorce paperwork. Generally, depending on the state where the divorce is being filed, you'll receive your divorce paperwork within 24 hours or less. In many cases, you can obtain your paperwork in about an hour.
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Print the forms, sign them and file the documents in accordance with the detailed filing instructions that come with the package at the site where you sign up. You can file the forms by mail or fax, but you'll have to adhere to the instructions that appear on the site for your individual state.
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Tips & Warnings
The cost for signing up with LegalZoom is $299. For CompleteCase.com the fee is $249. If you choose to go with 3StepDivorce.com, then you have the option of paying a one-time fee of $299 or two payments of $157 each.
All the mentioned sites include divorce paperwork for all 50 states.
Compulsory fees charged by the courts include an administrative fee and filing fee. These costs are separate from the price of the divorce package at each of the listed sites and are determined by the state in which you're filing for divorce.
Each of the previously mentioned sites include paperwork for an uncontested divorce, which includes state-specific documents such as the petition, complaint, summons, decree, request of judgment as well as any other ancillary paperwork.
Complete filing instructions are included within each divorce package you purchase.
A marital settlement agreement is included in the packages for filing an Internet divorce. This is a contract that details the divorce terms and settlement, which includes a division of debt and property.
All sites typically include a parenting plan for outlining child custody and visitation arrangements.
You can generally make revisions for up to a month once you sign up on any of the mentioned sites with no additional cost.
Make sure that you're following the exact rules and regulations with regard to divorce in the state where you live. Each locale has a different set of legislation in place when it comes to divorce proceedings.
Even when the divorce is finalized, you will still have to wait until the state's waiting period is over before you can remarry, as the marriage isn't officially dissolved until that time.
