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Divorce

Reasons Why You Should Not File For An Online Divorce in Texas

By October 8, 2022October 8th, 2024No Comments

Marriage is often a time of love, joy, and the hope of a shared future. Many couples enter marriage with optimism. Each year, around 2.1 million weddings take place in the U.S., and Texas ranks second in popularity with over 170,000 weddings annually. As of 2023, the state’s marriage rate remains steady at about 6.3 marriages per 1,000 residents.

But sometimes, even the best plans take an unexpected turn. Divorce is rarely part of the plan, and once you’ve made the difficult decision to separate, it’s natural to want the process over quickly. However, there’s a lot that goes on with filing for a divorce, and filing for an online divorce may not be the best choice. 

With our lead attorney, Channa Borman’s, proven track record and commitment to her clients, CE Borman offers the guidance and experience needed to ensure your rights are protected throughout the divorce process. Below, our Texas family law attorneys outline why an online divorce could lead to more challenges than you expect.

Key Reasons to Avoid Filing an Online Divorce in Texas

You can find or do just about anything online, but filing for a Texas divorce should not be one of them. Recent years have seen the onset of online divorce (sometimes called no-court divorce), which is not necessarily a good thing. The two most significant advertising points of online divorces are “cheap” and “quick,” but these promises can be misleading. 

Here are some significant reasons why you should avoid filing for an online divorce in Texas:

1. No Personalized Legal Guidance

Many situations pop up during a divorce. Divorce involves many complex legal questions that a standard online form cannot address. You may have specific concerns, including the following:

  • Alimony: Am I entitled to it? If so, how much?
  • Child Support and Custody (Legal or Physical): What should I agree to in terms of both?
  • Division of Assets: Since Texas is a community property state, what assets am I entitled to?
  • Access to Accounts: What if my spouse withdraws money from shared accounts?
  • Retirement Accounts: Will I still have access to my spouse’s retirement, or do I need to share mine?
  • Life Insurance: Will I or my children remain beneficiaries of my spouse’s policy?
  • Enforcing Divorce Terms: What steps can I take if my ex doesn’t follow the divorce agreement?

These are not questions that should be answered by the average Joe who thinks that they spend enough time online that they can legally help you. Only a licensed family law attorney in Texas can offer tailored answers to these questions. Online services cannot provide the personalized legal guidance you need, leaving you vulnerable to mistakes that could affect your future.

2. Risk of Fraud and Scammers

The adage of ‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably is‘ holds true with online services. When anything becomes popular online, scammers will jump on it, including online divorces. You may find companies that promise an easy, fast, and affordable online divorce. But there’s a high risk that the forms you receive won’t be legally valid in Texas, causing significant delays. If you fall victim to a scam, it can be difficult and time-consuming to claim fraud and receive compensation back against this company.

Look out for these red flags when exploring online divorce services:

  • Unrealistically low prices
  • Promises of rapid results
  • Fake reviews and testimonials

3. Divorce Agreements are Legally Binding

Let’s say that you did have a Texas online divorce happen successfully. Even then, there’s always a risk that the terms are not in your favor. 

Once you sign the divorce papers, the terms are legally binding. You cannot simply explain to the state of Texas that you didn’t realize what the papers meant and want to change the terms of your divorce. Trying to change the terms later could be difficult and costly, as you would need to hire a lawyer to fight for modifications in court.

It’s crucial to understand the long-term impact of every decision during your divorce. With the help of an attorney, you can avoid regretting the terms of your agreement or settlement years down the line. A lawyer will:

Texas Divorce Statutes to Consider

Texas has specific laws governing divorces, which can add further complications to online services. Key statutes to be aware of include:

Filing for divorce online often bypasses the expertise required to navigate these statutes. Without professional legal guidance, you might overlook crucial details that could affect your financial stability and your children’s well-being.

Why You Need an Experienced Texas Divorce Attorney on Your Side

Even if the split is mutual, you need someone with experience in divorce to explain each situation. You must understand the long-term effects of your decisions during the divorce process.

An attorney in Bryan, Texas, who focuses on family law, can help you understand your rights and make decisions that are in your best interest. They can:

  1. Provide advice tailored to your situation
  2. Help you navigate the complexities of child support, custody, and property division
  3. Ensure that your divorce terms are fair and legally binding

When you rely on online services, you miss out on the benefits of having a compassionate advocate on your side—someone who can ensure your rights are protected.

Contact Our CE Borman Texas Divorce Attorneys Today

Divorce is difficult enough without the added complications of inadequate legal help. Filing for an online divorce may seem like a simple solution, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. Working with a qualified Texas divorce attorney ensures that your divorce is handled professionally and that your future—and the future of your children—is safeguarded.

For more information about how CE Borman Law can assist you, contact us at 979-200-4725 to schedule an initial consultation.

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