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