Online Divorce: How the Internet Has Changed the Divorce Process

Divorce is as old as the institution of marriage itself, but over the years it has evolved right alongside technology. Today, divorces can be researched online and sometimes even notarized online, depending on the state you live in. At minimum, the internet has minimized the time it takes to communicate with legal counsel and the court system. Here are a few ways in which the divorce process has been impacted by the web in the Age of Information.


Researching the ins and outs of a divorce has never been easier than now. Finding legal counsel, learning about the divorce process, and calculating the cost of a divorce can happen with the click of a button. A wealth of information exists online giving you the necessary qualifications for filing for any type of divorce. For instance, you’ll need to know how long you and your spouse have been a resident of Illinois before filing. If you qualify for an uncontested divorce (meaning you and your spouse agree on the terms of the dissolution of marriage), you can easily find information online that will tell you how to divide your assets and how to develop a child custody plan.

Online Forms

One of the most helpful aspects of the online divorce process is the ability to access the necessary forms. Each county has its own separate forms for divorce, so accessing them has to happen by physically going to the courthouse or printing off the necessary forms online—a much faster option.

Online Form Preparation Services

Even with access to free forms, it can be confusing to fill out the forms absolutely perfectly. You will need to have your forms filed to perfection to receive a judge’s approval for an uncontested divorce. Even little mistakes can be costly, such as signing by yourself in places where a notary is supposed to be present. To help you in your endeavor, there are online preparation services that ask questions and compile the necessary forms based on your answers, much like an online tax service.

Social Media Evidence

Everything you say or do on social media is forever recorded in internet history, and courts can access this information as evidence. This can either work in your favor when the court finds evidence against your spouse, or it can work against you when the court finds evidence against you. With that in mind, be careful what you post on social media.

Tracking Assets

Similarly, the internet can help many people track down the assets of their spouses. In certain circumstances, spouses false claim zero income or no assets in order to receive more pay in child support or maintenance, but online research tools can help individuals track down assets their spouses may be hiding.


In many ways, the internet has made getting a divorce simpler, but in some ways (such as the influence of social media) it has made it messier as well.  Nevertheless, if an online divorce is the right option for you, the internet can greatly expedite the divorce process.