Filing for an online divorce in New York is a happy medium between hiring a representative and doing it all yourself. You provide the basics of your case to The Divorce Center and let our paralegals write up the necessary paperwork. Then, our experienced team files your papers with the court and tracks their progress, finalizing your disunion in three to five months. 

Before deciding whether to hire a lawyer or pursue an online alternative, New York residents should assess a few factors about their situation. 

When Should I Hire a Lawyer?

The biggest deciding factor in hiring a family lawyer is whether the dissolution of your marriage is contested or uncontested. Contested dissolution means the parties can’t agree on an arrangement and need legal mediation.

In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on set terms, and you may not need an attorney. If you choose not to hire a lawyer, everyone involved should prepare to navigate the complexities of New York’s legal system. Rather than doing it all by yourself, you should consult online legal aid services for advice on drafting and filing an agreement that meets official requirements.

Keep in mind this process can become contentious even in agreeable separations. Professional mediation helps avoid unfair agreements, which are incredibly challenging to get yourself out of later.

Collaborative Options

If your main motivation for not seeking a lawyer is avoiding a court appearance, a good option might be a collaborative divorce. In this method, both parties hire attorneys and agree not to go to trial. Both spouses must work together to come up with an agreement under legal supervision.

Steps Involved in Divorce

Whether or not you choose to hire a representative, it’s helpful to understand the divorce process. For New Yorkers, the first step is drafting a written agreement, which you should do with legal advice. 

Everyone involved must sign the agreement and get it notarized. One spouse should also sign an uncontested marital dissolution packet provided by the county clerk’s office before serving the papers to the other spouse. The party served has thirty days to agree and sign an affidavit of defendant form. 

The final step is a ruling by a judge. The marriage will usually be dissolved in uncontested cases if all of the paperwork is filed correctly.

Find Legal Advice in New York

New York residents preparing for a divorce should consider filing online to obtain legal guidance without independently hiring a family lawyer. With The Divorce Center, our knowledgeable paralegals can file your uncontested disunion online. All you have to do is provide basic information about your case.

Get started today by calling (800) 414-0333, and a judge may settle your case in just three to five months.