When a divorce is uncontested and uncomplicated, a do-it-your-own divorce can be one of your options. Using a divorce kit is an effective tool that serves as a step-by-step guide for the divorce process when you decide to go through divorce without an attorney. Basically, when you purchase a divorce kit, you can upload the divorce forms, instructions, law information, and the like onto your computer. There are also divorce kits that are available online wherein you can fill out the divorce forms through the web site of the provider. You may also check with your county or state to see if you can avail divorce kits through a government agency.
In using divorce kits, you must complete the required forms and file them with the court in your state. However, you should bear in mind that using divorce kits does not change the divorce statutes in your jurisdiction. A court must still approve the documents and make the final divorce decree.
On the other hand, if your divorce is uncontested, you may be able to avoid or lessen court appearances which eventually reduce divorce costs.
What to Look For In a Kit
When purchasing divorce kits, be certain that the kit contains the latest forms with completed document samples. Aside from the actual forms that you must file, look for a kit that contains worksheets and samples. It should also provide information about the divorce laws in your state as well as complete instructions about how to complete the included forms and what you can expect during the divorce process.
Read this article on how to select a San Diego divorce lawyer.
However, even if you think that a divorce kit is appropriate for your divorce, you should still consider taking legal advice. Spending a few hundred dollars for a lawyer in order to review the documents in your kit before filing them is an advisable thing to do. Because of the expensive financial costs, couples often opt to using a divorce kit to terminate their marriage more cost-effectively. This type of divorce costs only a portion of divorces that are assisted by attorneys. On the other hand, it will not be worth it to save money on legal fees if your do-it-your-self divorce ends up with an unfavorable result because you made an error in filling out the forms, or you committed a mistake in any stage of the process since you have no lawyer to guide you. In the long run, a divorce lawyer may have helped you prevent conflicts and saved your financial resources.
What You Should Consider
You can use a divorce kit if your divorce is uncontested, there are no involved children requiring financial support, both parties mutually agree on the division of marital assets, both are employed and self-sufficient financially and your divorce is no-fault which means you do not need to prove grounds for the divorce.
Keep in mind that before using a divorce kit, both parties should first determine that they are eligible for a do-it-yourself divorce.
Check this out, an article on the pros and cons of getting a divorce online.
