Couples looking to file for divorce without much hassle or cost may find an answer online.
However, there are many matters which may need to be adressed before jumping onto the Internet to obtain a divorce.
Online legal centers are starting to spring up across the Internet. These Web sites are offering to take care of some of the more common legal procedures “simply and quickly” by trying to cut out process attorneys.
The Web site www.legalzoom.com is a leading online legal center. The service was co-founded by Robert L. Shapiro, an attorney best known for representing O.J. Simpson. There are many other high-profile attorneys serving as advisers involved with the service.
LegalZoom specializes in uncontested divorces, which are divorces in which both sides agree to terms and are satisfied with what they have decided. Other services include prenuptial agreements, wills, trademarks and copyrights.
There are three steps involved in the Web site’s divorce process. An online questionnaire is filled out by the couple to determine if they are suited for an uncontested divorce. If they are suitable, a more detailed questionnaire is sent via e-mail to the couple to fill out. The couple sends back the form, and within one week the divorce papers are in their hands.
Some who are experienced with family law are skeptical of the benefits of the process.
“There is a segment of the population that it could be useful to, but I don’t know how many would benefit from this service,” said Mark Strasser, a professor of family law at Capital University. “It depends upon what is at issue in a certain case.”
The Web site also claims to save customers up to 85 percent less than the rates an attorney would charge for the same procedure because the company’s rates are on a “per project” rate, not a “per hour” rate. According to the Web site, the papers are 100-percent guaranteed to be accepted in court.
“When they guarantee something, it makes me wonder what they are promising.” Strasser said. “I’m curious as to what the guarantee is and what they do if there is a problem.”
Some lawyers want couples to think twice before filing online.
“I would recommend people reach an agreement and go to a lawyer to see if they are going in the right direction,” said Kevin Durkin, a Columbus attorney with 20 years experience in divorce and family law.
If what the divorcing couple works out seems fair to an attorney, then the couple could go ahead and use the service, he said.
Even if a couple did use the service, Durkin said it should come back to separate attorneys to look at the papers and double-check that everything was done fairly.
“Just because it’s an agreement, doesn’t mean that it is right,” Durkin said.
A couple may overlook many things when getting a divorce: re-marriage brings other people into the agreement, and the possibility of a parent moving far away brings children into the situation again.
Durkin does not see the Internet version of divorce affecting private law firms in the future.
“Many people who do divorce online will come back with problems, and money will be made by firms,” he said. “People will come to the realization that they need legal advice. An hour or two with an attorney is not that much for what is at stake. They need to make informed decisions, especially if there are children involved.”
Still, some find the Web sites appealing.
“I think that more and more people may want to use these services because it is faster, and our society is becoming more based upon doing things fast,” said. Jennifer Burkardt, a senior in criminology.
