Aside from the death of a loved one, divorce can be, and often is, one of the most stressful of all life’s events. It is rarely amicable, and one partner is usually hurting more than the other one. One of the biggest upsets with divorce can be the one-to-one confrontations in solicitors’ offices. These formal-type meetings tend to do more harm than good in a lot of cases. Well, what if you could cut out all those unpleasant face-to-face appointments with the future ex. Imagine if you could settle your divorce online with just a few clicks. The good news is that this will be a real option in the not-too-distant future. The online ‘digital’ divorce could become a reality as early as 2017. Legal experts expect this to be a preferred method among many divorcing couples, though not everyone welcomes the idea.
Legal opponents to the online divorce system disagree with the digital breakup. They think divorce is something that necessitates time, reflection and deliberate intent. They believe that the speed and casual ease of a ‘virtual’ split will cause too many problems and regrets later on. These are valid concerns if a couple rushes through with an online divorce without too much conscious thought. But in the case of an uncontested split, why put themselves through the pain, time and cost of a conventional dissolution? It just doesn’t make any sense at all.
Reduced Stress and Fewer Costs
Aside from the potential speed of an online divorce, there are other plus points to consider. The massive reduction in stress and lower legal fees will be huge benefits. Stress and escalating costs are things that can and sometimes do destroy a person. The longer proceedings go on, the more trauma and expenses there are too. Being able to cut down on time, avoid face-to-face confrontations and reduce legal fees will improve lives and saves money.
How It Works
In the vast majority of divorces, both sides agree to go ahead even though one party may be reluctant. This makes the divorce uncontested, and that means no one has to actually attend court. Although a judge still has to ratify all divorces, the online digital system will cater for this too. The divorcing couple will have all their proceedings handled online under the supervision of a judge. Typically, the judge will communicate by electronic means.
The virtual divorce, or the ‘Quickie Split’ as some are calling it, won’t cut corners, but it will save time, hassle, upset and money. The divorcing couple will still have to:
• File a divorce petition
• Apply for a decree nisi
• Apply for a decree absolute
There’s always the potential for unpleasant, long-drawn-out procedures in any conventional divorce. This is why advocates of the online system think that the digital option is long overdue. Opponents suggest that it’s going to be too easy and too quick. They point out that divorce is not just about ticking boxes and handing in forms. A well-managed digital divorce doesn’t have to be any of those things. There is no reason to be ill-informed and overly hasty with proceedings. It’s true that there are often more things to concern oneself with than just form filling. There may also be children, property and finances to consider, for example. But as long as the divorcing couple go about it the right way, the digital break-up should be hugely beneficial.
Online Video Tutorials
Divorce, like so many other lawful proceedings, can become confusing and frustrating at times. This happens not least because of the jargon used and the complicated forms. Online video is by far the best way to cut through all that official guff. Today you can find legal presenters explaining on video how the entire process works in non-technical language. Such tutorials will prove invaluable for couples seeking to divorce via the web. They will help them cut to the chase and simplify what could otherwise be a complicated procedure.
Anyone who goes through an uncontested divorce in or after 2017 should consider the digital break-up. There are plenty of reasons why this might be the better option for parting couples, but the main ones will surely be:
• A simpler and faster process
• No need to include a third party (solicitor) to handle everything
• Huge savings on legal fees because of the above
• The ability to complete all legal forms from any device with an Internet connection
• The ability to mail or download and print hard copies from the comfort of home
• No need to finalize proceedings in a court of law
In the case of an uncontested marriage break-up, the online digital divorce is going to make a lot of sense to a lot of people.