Beware the pitfalls of online divorce services

30 July 2025

Even an amicable divorce process can be lengthy, expensive, and marred by tough moments and unexpected complications.  

For this reason, more couples are turning to online divorce services, which offer seemingly quick, easy, and affordable solutions. 

However, legal gaps and lack of thorough guidance means that online divorce services often leave families in dangerous positions without key financial arrangements.  

Why online divorce services are risky 

There are many potential hazards for couples seeking online divorce services. 

Firstly, many online divorce providers are not regulated and do not have Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII).  

This means that clients can be left without recourse if they receive poor advice or if errors occur in their divorce and financial documents. 

It also means that online divorce providers usually do not provide proper legal advice or full disclosure.  

While divorce law is designed to be flexible to accommodate the different needs of each couple, online divorce providers offer less tailored services and often fail to identify vulnerable clients and their needs. 

This means that clients are left uninformed and misled, which could have serious consequences for their assets, finances, and children. 

Another issue is that online divorce providers routinely overlook financial settlements in order to offer quick dissolutions.  

This can mean that divorces are finalised before a financial order has been put in place, leading to acute consequences (such as losing the right to share pensions or dispute another’s income claims).  

Additionally, the apparent cost-effectiveness of online divorce providers is often a scam. 

Providers will often quote initial fees that are cheap, only to request an additional £612 court fee from clients to complete the application. 

Refunds are not usually offered, meaning individuals can find themselves trapped into proceeding with the service. 

How to counteract these risks 

If you are considering using online divorce services, you should thoroughly research different options and consult reviews.  

Make sure you do your due diligence on the provider: 

• Read the terms and conditions carefully. 

• Review the refund policy.  

• Ensure that the provider has PII in place. 

• Investigate the complaint handling process and what options are available if things go wrong. 

• Check for any unfair limitations on compensation or damages.  

You should seek the advice of an expert family lawyer to evaluate any agreements that have been made and make sure that your financial affairs have been settled before you apply for the final divorce order.  

The family lawyer is better 

Of course, the best way to avoid the pitfalls of online divorce services is simply to avoid them altogether. 

While instructing a family lawyer might seem more expensive upfront, independent legal advice will save you money, stress, and time in the long run. 

Our family lawyers are highly experienced in supporting clients through the divorce process.  

As members of Resolution, we are committed to helping you resolve issues in a constructive, collaborative manner. 

However, should court proceedings become necessary, we’ll protect your interests and do our utmost to ensure you receive fair and considered outcomes. 

Avoid the online risks and contact our friendly Family Law team today to discover how we can help you.