Beware online divorce services

While many couples celebrated their love on Valentine’s Day, such jubilation will not have reached those going through the divorce process.

Even an amicable divorce process can be lengthy, expensive, and marred by tough moments and unexpected complications.

For this reason, more and more couples are turning to online divorce services, which offer seemingly quick, easy, and affordable solutions.

However, legal gaps and lack of thorough guidance means that online divorce services often leave families in dangerous positions without key financial arrangements.

Why online divorce services are risky

There are many potential hazards for couples seeking online divorce services:

• Many online divorce providers are not regulated and do not have Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII). This means that clients can be left without recourse if they receive poor advice or if errors occur in their divorce and financial documents.
• Online divorce providers often quote initial low fees, only to request an additional £593 court fee from clients to complete the application. Refunds are not usually offered, meaning individuals can find themselves trapped into proceeding with the service.
• The reason that online divorce providers can offer alarmingly quick dissolutions is because they overlook financial settlements. This can mean that divorces are finalised before a financial order has been put in place, leading to acute consequences (such as losing the right to share pensions or dispute another’s income claims).
• Online divorce providers usually do not provide proper legal advice or full disclosure, leaving clients uninformed and misled.
• Divorce law is designed to be flexible to accommodate the different needs of each couple. However, online divorce providers offer less tailored services and often fail to identify vulnerable clients and their needs.

How to counteract these risks

If you are considering using an online divorce provider, you should thoroughly research different options and consult reviews.

Undertake your due diligence:

• Read the terms and conditions carefully.
• Review the refund policy.
• Ensure that the provider has PII in place.
• Investigate the complaint handling process and what options are available if things go wrong.
• Check for any unfair limitations on compensation or damages.

Seek the advice of an expert family lawyer to evaluate any agreements that have been made and make sure that your financial affairs have been settled before you apply for the final divorce order.

Our family lawyers are highly experienced in helping clients navigate the difficulties of divorce. We provide independent, tailored legal advice necessary to protect your interests and ensure that you receive fair and considered outcomes.

For further advice on protecting your interests in the divorce process, please contact our team and find out how we can help.