Internet Divorce Software Not a Substitute for an Attorney

 Posted on September 20, 2018 in Family Law

The wealth of resources on the internet encourages a do-it-yourself attitude for complicated tasks. Capitalizing on this, a divorce tool-kit industry has developed online, promising to help you file for divorce on your own and avoid the cost and hassle of hiring a divorce attorney. Certain tools are useful as a complementary resource to help you organize during your divorce, such as software for creating a parenting schedule. However, there are several reasons why no online tool can replace the services that your own divorce attorney can provide:

1. Divorce Is More than Paperwork: Many online divorce software programs focus on helping you fill out the divorce paperwork, which is the end of the process. A divorce agreement involves complicated and sometimes contentious negotiations to decide your finances and parental responsibilities. You will likely disagree with your spouse on some issues and will need to come up with a creative solution that follows your state’s divorce laws. If your divorce process is simple and quick, you should be worried that you overlooked an important issue.
2. Divorce Should Be Customized to You: Divorce software websites offer different products that are meant to fit divorces with different needs. As a consumer, how are you supposed to know which product is right for you? What if there is not a product that provides everything you need? A divorce lawyer creates your divorce plan based on your needs.
3. Internet Tool-Kits Are Not Legal Advisors: Creating a good divorce agreement requires a nuanced understanding of divorce law. A divorce lawyer goes through years of education and training to become a licensed professional. Websites that provide divorce software include disclaimers that state that the site’s information does not constitute legal advice and that you should always consult a lawyer before making legal decisions.
4. A Lawyer Is Your Personal Advocate: Using divorce software is similar to going through divorce mediation. It is most successful when the spouses can cooperate and negotiate in good faith. A software program cannot tell you which decision is in your best interest or protect you from a spouse who is bullying you to get what he or she wants. You need a lawyer to advise you on when to contest your spouse and when to compromise.

Useful Resources

There are uses for divorce software products during the process. A Kane County divorce attorney at Geneva Family Lawyers can recommend online resources that can help you stay organized and better understand your divorce. To schedule a free consultation, call 331-588-6611.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/geristengel/2018/09/19/how-an-entrepreneur-is-making-divorce-less-agonizing/#3f18063933cd