I find it fascinating to watch how the internet is changing legal services (and of course many other business models). There are some lawyers who provide legal services solely through the internet.
Then there are legal services companies that will process document-based legal services such as incorporations, divorces, Wills, and other similar type of legal services.
Moreover, legal services delivered via the internet is not solely an option in the USA. They're available globally including Canada.
Do-it-Yourself Divorces in BC
The DIY divorce legal service option in BC is growing in popularity. Historically, if people didn't wish to hire a BC divorce lawyer, they would stuck figuring it out entirely on their own. Usually, the sole reason people don't hire a divorce lawyer is the cost. Hiring lawyers can be costly (although not as costly as you might think if the divorce isn't contested).
These days, thanks to the internet, there is a third option, and that is using a divorce service. A divorce service is a service that gathers information from you about the terms of your divorce and then completes the necessary paperwork necessary for your jurisdiction. You still have to file the documents yourself; however, the paperwork is done for you ... usually at a cost much less than hiring a lawyer.
The downside to using divorce services
You don't obtain legal advice. By far the greatest advantage of consulting and hiring a divorce lawyer is that you obtain customized legal advice about your divorce. Therefore, any agreement you enter into, you do so fully informed as to your divorce rights and obligations pertaining to your children and property.
Should you talk to a divorce lawyer?
If you are unsure in any way about your rights and obligations, it's a good idea to at least consult a divorce lawyer. If you reside in BC, then that would be BC divorce lawyer. Moreover, if your divorce is more complex, especially with any substantial property and business interests, it's particularly important to speak with a divorce lawyer.
Keep in mind that once you sign a separation agreement (at least in BC), then you may be bound to those terms. This is why at the very least a divorce lawyer consultation is beneficial. If the divorce lawyer you speak with is of the view the proposed terms are reasonable, then you can use a divorce service to inexpensively complete the forms.
However, it never hurts to ask the lawyer you meet with how much it costs for them to complete the divorce paperwork. You may be pleasantly surprised how reasonable the cost is for solely completing the paperwork under the guidance and supervision of a BC divorce lawyer.
