Divorce over the Internet continues to gain popularity among those who are looking for a simplified way to end their marriage. Most people are conservative in their beliefs or afraid to use websites to solve complicated issues such as the dissolution of marriage. The lack of information is what usually scares them, preventing them from looking for more effortless ways to get divorced without an attorney.
It is worth mentioning, though, that some cases do require professional help from lawyers and accountants. These include complicated situations related to child support and visitation rights, property division, and alimony. But there are also amicable and uncontested divorces where everything is simple and can be solved by both parties peacefully. These are the cases when an online divorce is not only possible but very much desired.
How does an online divorce work?
The basic principle of online divorce services is to prepare the necessary documentation and provide you with instructions on what to do next. Typically, you fill in a questionnaire and receive ready-made documents, which you need to print and sign. You still need to file the papers to the court in person. This option applies only to spouses who have an uncontested divorce by reaching an agreement on essential issues.
Divorce paperwork in Arizona
Divorce documents in Arizona vary in each case since no marriage is alike. The paperwork depends on the complexity and related circumstances. However, all cases include the petition for marriage dissolution and summons. A full list of available documents can be obtained at the clerk’s office or on the Internet, but it is often difficult to be sure about which documents you need for your particular case. The third option is to use an online divorce service that provides its clients with the proper forms, filled out according to your specific case.
The cost of online divorce
The cost of online divorce in Arizona varies depending on the particular website used. The average price of online services is around $300, which includes the paperwork, adjustments based on the local court rules, and guidance through the process of marriage dissolution. Compare this to a regular marriage dissolution using an attorney, which can cost you tens and thousands of dollars. Divorce lawyers charge hourly fees for the services. Attorney fees are typically between $150 – $600 per hour, depending on their qualifications. Add to this court fees and additional legal expenses, and you are talking a considerable sum of money. Online divorce is much more affordable and faster to obtain than a regular one.
Steps to get divorced online
The process of online divorce is really simple. First of all, you have to ensure that you are eligible to file for marriage dissolution in Arizona. Some of the requirements are listed down below. Next, you need to find a reputable online divorce website to proceed with the documentation. Explore more essential steps, discussed in detail in the list down below.
Check with Arizona residency requirements.
Just like in many other states, there are clear residency rules to get divorced in Arizona. For starters, at least one of the spouses must have lived in the state of Arizona for at least 90 days and in the county where the divorce papers are to be filed for at least 60 days. If the spouses live in different counties, they can choose either of those counties, as long as the 60-day residency period has been met.
If one of the spouses lives in another state, and the other is a resident of Arizona, they are still eligible to file for dissolution of marriage in Arizona. The fact of residency can be proved in various ways including an ID card or driver’s license issued at least six months before the filing for the marriage dissolution or the testimony of people who can confirm the fact of residence in the state.
Make sure your divorce is uncontested.
An uncontested divorce in Arizona means that you have to admit that you cannot continue living as a married couple because of profound differences in views, beliefs, and alike. This is called “irretrievable breakdown” and is considered a no-fault ground to end the marriage. Getting online divorce is only possible for the case of an uncontested divorce when spouses agree on key issues, such as property division, child custody, alimony, and child support.
Uncontested divorces are much easier to obtain, without hiring a lawyer, as there is no need for a court trial. Besides, they are relatively inexpensive and not very time-consuming.
Complete the online questionnaire.
If you comply with the residency requirements and your divorce is uncontested, the next step is to choose an online divorce service and go through the registration process. You will need to answer questions related to your divorce situation. The information you provide on the questionnaire will be used to determine which documents are necessary for your particular case. Usually, this does not take too much time. Many online services have detailed instructions on how to answer the questions and guide their clients through each step of the process.
Download the documents and sign them.
After you completed the questionnaire, there will be two options for getting the filled divorce forms tailored according to your answers. You can either download and print them right away or wait for the papers to come by mail. Remember to sign the forms, then you can take them to the court to be filed.
File the divorce papers to the court.
Divorce papers must be filed in person. Choose the courthouse in the county where you want to file for marriage dissolution. Before going to the court, inquire to the local county’s office about how many copies of the documents you need to bring.
Remember that there is a mandatory filing fee. This fee varies throughout the state. On average, you will have to pay $300-$400. In some cases, there is an option to ask for a waiver if your income is insufficient and you cannot afford the filing fee.
Wait for a decree to be signed.
As a rule, after the petition for marriage dissolution is submitted, and the divorce process starts, there is a mandatory waiting period of 60 days before the decree can be signed. Usually, uncontested divorces are granted much faster than contested cases. If there are no complications, you can obtain the divorce in 90 to 120 days. The decree will legally end the marriage and define the rights and obligations of spouses, such as alimony, spousal support, parenting rights, and so on.
The dissolution of a marriage does not have to be a complicated process that takes time and energy if you can agree with your spouse to have an uncontested divorce. Why use services of a lawyer if you can get a divorce online and save lots of time and money? Learn to use the benefits of civilization and enjoy a newfound freedom of action.
