Online Divorce Arizona
“Online divorce” in Arizona isn’t what you may think it is. You can’t actually get divorced entirely online in Arizona. Rather, you can download the initial divorce papers, but you will need to file them in person. You may also need to attend one or more hearings at the court in order to finalize your case.
Some Arizona counties have self-service center forms/instructions, but even if you were to go to a site like RocketLawyer or LegalZoom to download forms, you still can’t file them online, this is just a service that sells access to the documents.
Even though lawyers/parties have the option to electronically file many documents (after the initial Petition, which must be filed in person), the divorce process itself doesn’t happen “online” (regardless of whether someone is represented or not).
If you are still married and thinking about getting divorced, you should know that Collaborative Divorce is a more peaceful divorce option. There are many benefits of choosing a collaborative process when you want to promote a healthy and satisfactory separation experience.
You Might Want an Attorney to Review Your Forms
If you complete the documents online through a commercial “legal forms” site, your paperwork might be reviewed by a paralegal, not an attorney . It’s common that “online” divorce services don’t have attorneys on staff.
Keep in mind that if you are unable to afford the services of an attorney, some state, including Arizona, allow for Certified Legal Document Preparers (CLDPs) to assist with the proper preparation of legal paperwork. Although these professionals are not licensed attorneys and cannot give legal advice, they are usually experienced with the forms you will need to file and pursue your legal action.
How To Use Online Divorce Forms in Maricopa County, Arizona
If you don’t want to hire a lawyer, you can fill out all the divorce paperwork online at the Superior Court’s website (more on this below). Your divorce papers are generated automatically after you fill out the information requested and you can print the forms to file at the court house.
The court’s self-service center forms and instructions are available to self-represnted parties regardless of whether they are in agreement on issues such asset/property division, legal decision making, child support, spousal maintenance, etc.
The court does not charge any fees to download forms and instructions, but other commercial services may require customers to “purchase” their forms. For some people, this is a fair trade-off; According to ItsOverEasy, “First, you can save thousands of dollars because you do not need an attorney. Second, you can fill out the information on your own time, in the privacy of your own home.” However, just because you don’t use an attorney to file the initial documents, that doesn’t mean you won’t need legal advice or representation to resolve the issues in your case.
Most online divorce website offer instructions for how to file your forms.
The Maricopa County Superior Court’s self-service center has two paths available to litigants. One is ez Court Forms, which is an interactive process to complete forms on-screen and then print for filing. The other is the main self-service center where you can download the same documents as .pdfs to fill out on the computer or by hand.
Completing online divorce forms incorrectly could affect your legal rights. Eiges&Orgel say, “Disadvantages to online divorces services include: Loss of rights, properties, or protections not addressed in the documentation.”
Why You Shouldn’t Use Online Divorce Forms in Arizona
While some online divorce forms in Arizona help you end your marriage easily and affordably, they can also complicate your divorce. Since online divorce forms are so accessible, it can cause a party to act rashly to the point where they end up surrendering their rights to assets, legal decision making, and other decisions moving forward.
If you are uncertain about the process of filling out online divorce forms or have a case involving spousal maintenance, child support, lots of assets to divide, etc., it might be worth consulting with an attorney. MyConsumerTips says, “if you have specific questions about the divorce process, distribution of property, child custody etc. it’s always best to consult a divorce attorney.“
See Also:
- Disadvantages of Cheap Divorce in Arizona
- Why a do it yourself divorce is a bad idea
- Divorce in Arizona
- What you need to know about collaborative divorce in Arizona
- How to Ask for a Divorce Peacefully
Online Divorce Alternatives in Arizona
You may think of hiring lawyers as setting up a fight you don’t want. But filing divorce using online forms isn’t necessarily a good way to avoid fighting and it might not save you money in the long run. Hiring lawyers trained in collaborative divorce can actually help make the process less of a struggle. They can help you find ways to work together and reach a settlement that is acceptable to both of you. An experienced lawyer can help you understand the process and work toward a path forward.
If you are considering a do-it-yourself divorce, take a step back to look at your options. Working with one of the professionals at Best Legal Choices may help you save time, money, as well as the headaches of navigating a divorce on your own.
Divorce litigation can be scary and emotionally draining for you, your spouse, and your children. But it doesn’t have to be that way with collaborative divorce. The collaborative process can result in a less expensive, more efficient, and less harmful outcome for everyone involved. One of the legal, financial, and communication professionals at Best Legal Choices can help you navigate this difficult time in your life.
OUR PROFESSIONALS CAN HELP WITH THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS IN ARIZONA!
Divorce litigation can be scary and emotionally draining for you, your spouse, and your children. But it doesn’t have to be that way with collaborative divorce. The collaborative process can result in a less expensive, more efficient, and less harmful outcome for everyone involved. One of the legal, financial, and communication professionals at Best Legal Choices can help you navigate this difficult time in your life.
Judy Morse has been helping families resolve their questions about parenting time, legal decision making, and their finances and assets with her Collaborative Practice since 2006. The founder of Judith A. Morse, P.C., now known as Morse Law Group, Judith A. Morse has been practicing law for more than 32 years.