Online divorce vs. hiring a lawyer: an honest comparison

The choice between an online divorce and a lawyer is not really online versus expensive. It is a question of what your case actually needs. The two options solve different problems, and picking the wrong one either wastes money or leaves you underprotected.

What an online divorce is good at

An online service is built for uncontested divorces, where you and your spouse agree on the terms. It guides you through a questionnaire, prepares the exact forms your state and county accept, and tells you where to file. For a straightforward case, it can take the cost from several thousand dollars down to a few hundred.

What a lawyer is good at

A lawyer brings judgment and advocacy that software cannot. That is exactly what you want when a case is contested or complicated.

• Your spouse disputes the divorce or the terms.
• There are complex assets like a business, pensions, or significant real estate.
• Custody is contested, or the parenting situation is high-conflict.
• There is any history of abuse, coercion, or hidden finances.

How to choose

If you agree with your spouse and your finances are relatively simple, an online divorce is usually the better value by a wide margin. If any of the situations above apply, the money spent on a lawyer is money well spent. Our five-question eligibility check gives you an honest read on which side of that line you fall, including the cases where it tells you to talk to a lawyer.

If the online path fits, you can see what is included and get started here.