csad Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 We are ready for divorce and don't want to pay for lawyers, plus we agree to have a peaceful divorce. We'll just split equally our asset and share the custody of our daughter. Can you recommend a good divorce helping service? I read about Wevorce before but haven't heard from them for a while, not sure about the quality of their service. Doesn't have to be them anyway, any good one who can help with the paperwork would be great. And please don't force me on hiring a lawyer. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites
Nirbhao.Nirvair Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Did you try avvo? Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 IMO, first check with the family law division at the courthouse. They may have services in-house to assist you in the filing process. Our county courthouse had such services, as well as referrals to free mediation which can assist with negotiating and filling out the marital settlement agreement or whatever document is used in your jurisdiction. The important thing in such a process is the parties being straightforward and amicable. If you are, the process can be quite inexpensive and brief. At our courthouse, it was called the 'self-help desk' and was a small, crowded room next to the clerk of the court in the family law division. Stop in, take a number and sit in the waiting room. The funny part was we always got in to the self-help more quickly then getting up to the clerk's window when filing stuff. Self-help had the 'back door' to file stuff so not only was it free it was fast. The filing fees were still the same either way and no one there could or would give any legal advice. As far as legal help, I'd probably get that by referral. I paid my lawyer to review the MSA before we filed it and we went down to the courthouse, had self-help file the stuff, over and done in under 30 minutes, requested judgment by mail, included paid packets for the court to mail our documents and they were stamped and mailed to us the next day. Done. That was seven years ago. Besides poverty, no real negatives from the process. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
Author csad Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 Did you try avvo? Thanks. I thought avvo is to find lawyers and I mentioned that I don't want to pay for lawyers. IMO, first check with the family law division at the courthouse. They may have services in-house to assist you in the filing process. Our county courthouse had such services, as well as referrals to free mediation which can assist with negotiating and filling out the marital settlement agreement or whatever document is used in your jurisdiction. The important thing in such a process is the parties being straightforward and amicable. If you are, the process can be quite inexpensive and brief. At our courthouse, it was called the 'self-help desk' and was a small, crowded room next to the clerk of the court in the family law division. Stop in, take a number and sit in the waiting room. The funny part was we always got in to the self-help more quickly then getting up to the clerk's window when filing stuff. Self-help had the 'back door' to file stuff so not only was it free it was fast. The filing fees were still the same either way and no one there could or would give any legal advice. As far as legal help, I'd probably get that by referral. I paid my lawyer to review the MSA before we filed it and we went down to the courthouse, had self-help file the stuff, over and done in under 30 minutes, requested judgment by mail, included paid packets for the court to mail our documents and they were stamped and mailed to us the next day. Done. That was seven years ago. Besides poverty, no real negatives from the process. Good luck. Thank you, I'll try this for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Also, when visiting the courthouse, or their web site (ours had one), be sure to check out to see if you qualify for waivers/assistance in filing divorce with the court. IIRC, our filing fees were just under 400 dollars for the initial filing, including service by the sheriff and any answer to the court (contest) would have been similar. We chose default with MSA so the rest of the filings, even ones we got wrong and the court rejected, were included in the original fee. If your financial situation warrants it, the court may help you out with fees. Ask. Link to post Share on other sites
Nirbhao.Nirvair Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Thanks. I thought avvo is to find lawyers and I mentioned that I don't want to pay for lawyers. Sorry. I should have been more clear. I mean try asking this in the avvo forums. Although those who answer there are lawyers, I see them tend to be helpful (and honest as well) Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 How about asking a real trusted friend (someone who is close to you both) to be witness. Write an agreement and fill it with your arrangements - custody, financial, etc..etc..All of you sign it together and make a promise to always be fair, respectful towards one another for the sake of your child. Though I do think having a lawyer or a mediator would beneficial to you both. PS Nobody here can 'force' you to see a lawyer. All we can do is make a suggestion. Link to post Share on other sites
Author csad Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 Thanks to you all. I tried the 15-minute call from avvo and it was very helpful. I might just use the attorney I talked to during the call. Since my case is an uncontested case, he offers a flat rate of $1500 for divorce meditation and filing. Sounds pretty reasonable. I was scared off from some sources that it would cost around $20K. Sorry, 1st time . 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Nirbhao.Nirvair Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Good. Now inform the OBS that you are no more in control of you wife's actions and she has to keep her WH safe. She deserves that information. Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 . Can you recommend a good divorce helping service? I read about Wevorce before but haven't heard from them for a while, not sure about the quality of their service. There is a reason you have to have a license to practice law. Those services are essentially breaking the law by practicing law & offering legal advice without a license. Run, they are mostly frauds. Thanks to you all. I tried the 15-minute call from avvo and it was very helpful. I might just use the attorney I talked to during the call. Since my case is an uncontested case, he offers a flat rate of $1500 for divorce meditation and filing. Sounds pretty reasonable. I was scared off from some sources that it would cost around $20K. Sorry, 1st time . I'm glad you spoke to a licensed professional. Understand, the lawyer you spoke to is YOUR lawyer. That lawyer represents you & you alone. Your spouse would need different counsel. If things don't go as smoothly as you anticipate, find a lawyer who believes in mediation and collaborative divorce. Stay away from the litigators; they are the ones who drive up the costs. Also realize every time to contact your lawyer -- every call, every email, every quick question gets billed so don't dither when you speak to your attorney. Link to post Share on other sites
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