| Many years ago hiring a divorce attorney was | | | | adjust their forms accordingly. The advantage: the |
| financially devastating for many people. Divorce was | | | | forms are accurately and neatly filled out at an |
| for the wealthy. The rest of us had no options. We | | | | affordable cost. The disadvantage: same as |
| had to beg, borrow, or steal to find the money for an | | | | “do-it-yourself – you are on your own |
| attorney. But now there are more options than ever | | | | during the divorce. There is no advice or help if |
| before for anyone facing a divorce. | | | | something goes wrong. |
| Do Everything Yourself | | | | Attorney – Forms Only Service |
| “Doing everything yourself” has become | | | | Florida and many other states have adopted a |
| an option in many states with the advent of approved | | | | concept called “Unbundled Services.” This |
| self-help forms. For example, the state of Florida has | | | | concept is an official recognition that many people |
| produced a complete set of Family Law Self-Help | | | | want to hire an attorney for one small part of their |
| forms. These forms have been carefully reviewed by | | | | case. They have access to expert advice at an |
| the state Bar association and subsequently approved | | | | affordable price. Many attorneys offer a form |
| by the Florida Supreme Court. Each form is | | | | preparation service similar to the online services. The |
| accompanied by instructions on proper use. Because | | | | key difference is the forms are prepared or |
| Florida Statutes reference those self-help forms, they | | | | supervised by an attorney. The advantage: the |
| are accepted by all Florida courts. Many if not all | | | | security of knowing the forms are done correctly by a |
| states have adopted some type of self-help forms. | | | | local expert. The disadvantage: you are still on your |
| You can usually download the forms from your state | | | | own during the divorce. However, because you |
| court website or purchase an inexpensive pack of | | | | established a relationship with an attorney, you may |
| forms at your local courthouse. The advantage: the | | | | have access to the attorney for occasional advice if |
| forms are free and you do not need a lawyer to file | | | | you run into difficulty. |
| them. The disadvantage: the instructions can be | | | | So Which Option Should You Use? |
| confusing, complex, and difficult to follow. And you | | | | Divorce can affect your relationship with your children, |
| may be sacrificing some serious legal rights without | | | | your present finances, and your finances during the |
| realizing you are doing so. | | | | next 30 years. What you do now can affect your life |
| Online Forms Preparation Service | | | | for many years. The simple answer: take the best |
| The internet has brought major changes to the | | | | option you can afford. If you can afford full |
| delivery of legal services. One recent change is | | | | representation from an attorney – that is best. If |
| universal availability of online forms services. For a fee | | | | you cannot afford anything – the do-it-yourself |
| usually ranging around two hundred dollars these | | | | method is best. But whichever route you take: educate |
| services will conduct an online interview and generate | | | | yourself, proceed carefully, and educate yourself some |
| a custom set of forms, ready to file with the court in | | | | more. Remember, knowledge is power. The person |
| your area. These services are easy, quick, and as | | | | with the most knowledge always comes out ahead. |
| convenient as the nearest computer. The better | | | | Copyright 2006 The Divorce Center P.A. |
| services keep track of changes in each state and | | | | |