Getting Divorced Is Easier And More Difficult Than Ever Before

In what increasingly feels like a pandemic that will never end, getting divorced has become easier and more difficult than it has ever been. If you think that doesn’t make sense, we hear you. Let’s take a look at what’s changed over the last six months, and find out if you agree with us at the end.
 

Why Divorce Is Easier Now

One of the unintended side effects of COVID-19 has been the relative streamlining of the divorce process in order to accommodate social distancing and shelter-in-place orders. Not only can you get divorced without ever having to set foot in a courtroom, it is actually required in Sonoma County in order to protect yourself, attorneys, and court personnel from infection.

Video conferencing and email are really the only things it takes to complete your divorce from start to finish right now, with a few outlying exceptions in rare cases.

Completing a divorce has also gotten easier for attorneys in many ways as well. Without the requisite trips to court that often take up a sizable portion of an attorney’s time, that time can instead be repurposed for clients and additional casework.

Why Divorce Is Harder Now

While the legal process of getting divorced is easier now, just about everything else that typically comes with getting divorced has gotten harder.

Here are a few examples of things you may be facing when getting divorced that are now far more difficult because of the coronavirus:

• Finding a new place to live and/or selling your home
• Buying and/or selling your car
• Looking for a new job
• Getting daycare for your children
• Sharing custody of your children

All of these things, and many others, are challenging enough without the pervasive threat of a lethal virus lurking around every corner.

If you feel overwhelmed by all of this, we get it. The good news is that by taking a little extra time, and some basic precautions to protect yourself and your family, you can make all of these things happen and get divorced safely.
 

Don’t Let Fear Postpone Your Divorce

If you want to get divorced, but are hesitant to take the next step because you’re afraid of going through the process during the outbreak, don’t let fear control your decision.

Getting divorced at this time may seem daunting (or more so than usual), but with a little help and guidance from your attorney, there’s every chance you can get divorced safely and securely. Please contact our office today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.