Getting divorce papers online is not as complicated as it may sound. Thanks to the internet, the entire divorce scene has changed and has become quite simple. (In practical ways, not emotional ways… we all know that divorce wreaks havoc on stress levels.)
In fact, it’s pretty easy if you have the know-how.
But there are some things that you should be aware of before deciding to hunt high and low on the web for divorce papers. For example, you will need to use a reputable online divorce service or have a lawyer check your docs if you decide to download them off your state’s website.
But have no fear. This easy-to-follow article will discuss how you can get your divorce papers online and some crucial tips to help streamline the process.
Do a simple Google search – But be wary.
If you type in “divorce papers USA,” you will find 19 million search results. That’s quite impressive. But, how do you wade through the millions of results to find exactly what you are looking for?
How do you know if the divorce papers are up to date? Or if it’s the correct paperwork for your specific case? You could find hundreds of sites claiming to offer free divorce papers, which may sound tempting, but if the documents are incorrect, you would have to start the entire process all over again. This will waste time and money. So how can you combat this error? Look below:
Tip 1: Rather Google “online divorce services.”
The best option would be to Google “online divorce services.” Many professional services on the internet will help you get the correct papers. All you need to do is fill out a simple online questionnaire to see if you qualify for an online divorce. You will be asked specific questions about your situation to see if you are eligible, such as:
- Do you know the whereabouts of your spouse?
- Are you living in the state where you are filing for divorce?
- Will you have an uncontested divorce?
(Note: It is not advised to get your papers online in a contested divorce.
Why?
The main reason is that if you and your spouse can’t agree on things, like how to divide your assets and debts or on child custody, you would need a lawyer to make sure that you get the most out of your divorce. Getting documents over the internet will only work for couples who can come to an amicable agreement on all the serious issues.)
If you do qualify, the company prepares your divorce papers for you. You will then receive the paperwork within two working days, and all that’s left for you to do is file them at your local clerk’s office.
Even better, some companies offer to file your documents for you at an extra cost. It might be worth your while if you don’t have the time to do it yourself.
Tip 2: Cheaper doesn’t always mean better
As mentioned above, be wary of sites that offer free divorce papers. Paying $139 for the simplest package on a divorce website is much better than downloading free paperwork then finding out that it’s completely outdated.
Some services might be extremely cheap, but do they offer certain perks? Like customer service or advice from a lawyer if need be? It might be worth paying for these extra services if it will make the process easier for you.
Go to your state’s website.
Your second option for getting divorce papers online is to go to your state’s local website. Not all states have divorce papers available online, so you would have to check, but many states allow you to download divorce documents.
For example, Tennessee offers a page that allows you to get divorce papers (but please note that these forms specific to Tennessee are for couples with no children.)
Tip 3: Only use the state’s website if you’re a patient person.
You might think that downloading documents off your state’s website would be the easier option, but this could cause more frustration than anything else.
You would need to have quite a bit of time on your hands to wade through the vast amounts of documentation. Besides this, you could also download the wrong paperwork by mistake or not find the proper forms for your specific situation.
Therefore if you feel that you don’t have the time to go through pages of documents, use an online divorce service to prepare your paperwork instead, it will be quicker and easier.
Tip 4: Have a lawyer check your paperwork – Just in case
If you do decide to download your own divorce papers from the state’s website, have a lawyer review just your paperwork. It will ensure that you have the correct documents, allowing for smooth proceedings and no setbacks.
In Summary
There are two easy ways to get divorce papers online:
- Use an online divorce service to prepare your paperwork
- Go to your state’s website to find marriage dissolution documents
But be wary of “free” divorce documents or companies who charge ridiculously low fees. It might be a better option to pay a little more for better customer service and guidance. If you are worried that the paperwork might not be correct, you could always have a lawyer look them over to ensure that everything is in order.
