These days, you can do just about anything without leaving your house.
You can order groceries, attend meetings, sign documents, and even have a doctor's appointment without changing out of your pajamas.
But what about getting divorced?
Maybe you have a demanding work schedule, live an hour away from the nearest attorney's office, or simply don't want to spend your afternoon sitting in traffic for a meeting that could have been a phone call.
The good news is that working with a divorce attorney doesn't always require meeting face-to-face. In fact, depending on the law firm you choose and the circumstances of your case, you may be able to handle much of your Florida divorce without ever setting foot inside an attorney's office.
Here's what you should know.
Why Are More Legal Services Available Online?
The legal world has changed quite a bit over the last several years.
Florida courts were using electronic filing systems long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic accelerated the use of video calls and other remote services throughout the legal system.
Today, many attorneys continue using these tools to communicate with clients, exchange documents, and handle certain aspects of their cases without requiring everyone to be in the same room.
However, not every law firm operates this way. Some offer extensive virtual services, while others may prefer or require in-person appointments.
Your First Meeting Doesn't Have to Be in Person
One of the first steps in getting divorced is speaking with an attorney about your circumstances and options. That conversation doesn't necessarily have to happen across a desk.
At Good Life Legal, we regularly conduct consultations remotely, allowing potential clients to discuss their situations, ask questions, and learn about the divorce process from the comfort of their own homes. That flexibility can continue throughout your case.
Phone calls, emails, and virtual meetings can allow you to communicate with your attorney, discuss important decisions, and receive updates without scheduling an office visit every time something comes up.
What About All the Paperwork?
If there's one thing people associate with divorce, it's paperwork.
Financial documents, agreements, court filings, and other records can all become part of the process. Fortunately, handling these documents doesn't always require an office visit.
Many documents can be exchanged electronically, allowing you to provide financial information, review agreements, and complete certain paperwork from home.
Florida courts also use electronic filing systems, meaning attorneys can generally submit court documents without physically visiting the courthouse.
However, not every document can be completed with a simple electronic signature. Some may require notarization, witnesses, or other formalities. Your attorney can explain how to complete these requirements and whether any steps must be handled in person.
Does That Mean Your Entire Divorce Can Happen Remotely?
Not necessarily. There's an important difference between working with your attorney remotely and completing every part of your divorce without appearing in person.
Some Florida divorce proceedings, including certain hearings and mediation sessions, may take place virtually. However, whether you can participate remotely depends on your circumstances, the court's procedures, and any applicable orders.
A divorce in which both spouses agree on the major issues may involve fewer contested hearings than one involving disagreements about property, finances, or children.
If you receive notice of a court appearance, don't assume you can attend over Zoom or skip it simply because you've been working with your attorney remotely.
Your attorney can help you understand which parts of your case may be handled online and what, if anything, requires an in-person appearance.
What Should You Ask Before Hiring an Attorney?
If handling your divorce remotely is important to you, it's worth discussing that preference before choosing a law firm.
Ask whether consultations and follow-up meetings can take place over the phone or through video calls. You may also want to find out how the firm handles documents and whether you'll need to visit the office at any point.
These questions can help you understand how the firm operates and whether its approach fits your schedule and circumstances.
Divorce Doesn't Have to Mean Constant Office Visits
Divorce may come with plenty of things to figure out, but finding time to drive back and forth to an attorney's office doesn't always have to be one of them.
So, if you've been putting off speaking with an attorney because you're worried about finding time for appointments, you may have more flexibility than you realize.
If you are thinking about divorce in Florida, we can help you find out whether we are the right fit. Call us at 850-362-7228, or complete the form on our website and we will call you.
Written by Sophia Thephasdin. Reviewed for legal accuracy by Matthew Ausley, Attorney.