Someone in Ontario who is considering ending his or her marriage might look online at a do-it-yourself kit, but that might not be the best option when trying to resolve complex personal matters. Divorces can require negotiation as couples attempt to resolve property division and issues related to their children, such as visitation, custody and support.
While technology has come a long way in helping people address many needs, it might be better to seek out the services of a lawyer who could help with the process. Addressing assets and liabilities can be difficult to determine. A lawyer would understand where to look for liability information while a computer is limited by what the filing spouse knows. The other spouse could also be attempting to hide some assets in hopes that his or her partner will not find them. The courts usually freeze all marital assets during a divorce so that the parties cannot transfer them. If paperwork is filed electronically, that will not happen because a judge has not intervened in the case.
A computer cannot adjust figures related to alimony or child support depending on medical factors or other variables that might impact the case. A lawyer sometimes asks for help from a child advocate in order to protect the child’s mental well-being. An online divorce does not offer these protections.
Additionally, child custody can be challenging to resolve even with input from qualified professionals. A computer simply cannot compensate for the personal touch. Working through a divorce presents a number of challenges, which are sometimes complicated by unpleasant emotions. While some couples are able to complete their divorces uncontested, others will require the services of a mediator or undergo court proceedings.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Divorce Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Business, So Why Do It Online?“, Brendan Lyle , April 08, 2014