Online Divorce Resources
The Internet is an outstanding resource for anyone who is thinking about getting a divorce. If there is a divorce in your future, there are thousands of online divorce resources that can help you with everything from finding out where to file, to helping your children cope with the consequences of your divorce. However, with such a wealth of information available online, it's hard to know where to start.
Your Local Courthouse Web Site
Divorce laws vary state by state, so divorce actions are always filed in state court. State courts are usually divided by county (or parish), so the best place to start when you are looking for online divorce information is the web site for your local county court system.
This online divorce resource will provide you with information on the filing fees for a divorce case, the amount of time the case will take to complete, and the office of a clerk who may be available to assist parties without lawyers who are filing do-it-yourself divorce forms.
Other resources you can study through your local courthouse's online divorce web site may include:
Marriage Counseling - In many states, free short-term marriage counseling is available so couples can determine whether their marriage can be saved. The cost of counseling is often included in the divorce filing fee, so there is no downside to trying this option.
Mediation - Mediators will help divorcing parents negotiate arrangements involving custody of children, how to divide the time with the children between the two parents, and mutual goals for the children's learning and development, so that parenting time with both parents moves the children toward achieving the goals. Like marriage counseling, the cost of mediation is usually built into the divorce filing fee.
Custody Evaluations - This is a fee-based service. Parents who dispute child custody and leave the decision of who gets custody up to a judge must have a custody evaluation conducted by a court official. These arrangements can often be made through an online divorce web site that links to the courthouse site.
Parent Education - This service is usually included in the cost of the divorce filing fee and is mandatory for divorcing parents of minor children. Parents learn specific things they can do to help minimize the negative effects of divorce on their children.
Divorce Lawyers' Web Sites
Large divorce law firms use their web presence to market their services, so they often have extensive online divorce resources on their web sites. Look for links to archived client newsletters and other published articles by attorneys in the firm.
Blogs
Don't overlook blogs as a great online divorce resource. Reading the blog of someone who is going through a divorce or has recently gone through a divorce can provide answers to questions and emotional support during a tough time.
