There is a saying by JK Rowling that goes, “And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
Maybe you are at this stage in your life, where your marriage has reached rock bottom, and the only solution for your happiness is a divorce. Rebuilding your life might seem like a daunting task, but sometimes it’s the only way to figure out what you need to heal.
The first step in moving forward would be to start the divorce process.
Here is how to get divorce forms in West Virginia and begin your new chapter.
Is it easy to get divorce forms?
Getting divorce papers is not as hard as it sounds. In fact, it’s pretty simple. You just need to know where to look.
You have various options, which include:
- Using a lawyer
- Making use of an online divorce service
- Or getting divorce papers off West Virginia’s state’s website.
Let’s delve deeper into each option, and you can decide which would work best for you.
Use a lawyer
If your divorce seems rather complicated, you could have a lawyer prepare your paperwork for you. But remember that this would be costly, as divorce lawyers charge per hour. They might even charge you for emails that are sent, phone calls that have been made, and even for their transport if they need to meet you somewhere.
On average, the cost of a divorce lawyer per hour in West Virginia is about $350. If you have a contested divorce with minor children, you might pay more than $6000.
In some cases, using a lawyer is unavoidable, especially if you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement about your asset division and child custody.
But if you can avoid a contested divorce, instead use the options below, as it will be much cheaper, faster, and less stressful.
Use an online divorce service.
One of the easiest ways to get divorce forms is to use an online divorce service to prepare your paperwork for you. If you have an uncontested divorce, there is no reason not to make use of these services.
Many couples choose to use web divorce because it is really affordable, fast, and efficient.
In most cases, packages start from $139, which is way cheaper than paying a lawyer per hour.
How does it work, you might ask?
Simple.
Go to the service of your choice and fill out an easy online questionnaire that will check if you are eligible for divorce over the internet.
Some questions that you will be asked are:
- Do you know the location of your spouse?
- Can you agree on child custody, maintenance, and the division of assets?
- Which state are you filing from?
Once you have answered these questions, the process will begin. The divorce service will then prepare documents for you according to your specific needs. You can then download the documentation and file it at your local clerk’s office in West Virginia.
Note, though, that you will also have to pay a filing fee, which differs from state to state. But luckily, it’s not too expensive in West Virginia, as you will only need to pay $135.
How long before you receive your divorce papers? The answer is probably quite a happy one for couples who wish to get a quick divorce. You will need only to wait two business days before you get your papers sent to you.
BUT a word of caution, you can ONLY use an online divorce service if you have an uncontested divorce; if not, please make use of a lawyer, as they will be able to help you to get the best out of your case and make sure that you do not agree to anything that will affect the outcome of your future.
Use West Virginia’s state’s website.
Another option would be to download divorce forms from the state’s website. West Virginia's site is relatively easy to navigate, and all the divorce forms are in one place. Including the petitioner’s forms, the respondent’s forms, and parental plans.
You can download and complete all the forms and collect the necessary documentation. Once you have done this, the paperwork will need to be filed at your local clerk’s office.
Just a warning, though, because there is no one checking to see if you have completed the proper documentation, it might be a good idea to have a lawyer read through your documents before you file them, just in case.
They will be able to check that you have all the correct documentation and that you have filled everything out correctly.
Can you just Google divorce forms?
Yes, you can, but this isn’t a good idea, as you might download the wrong paperwork or use a site that has divorce papers that are out of date. Therefore, they will be discarded by the court, and you will have to start the process all over again, including paying the filing fee once more.
Beware of sites on Google that offer free forms – If you are looking for free paperwork, instead use the state’s website. Sometimes paying a little bit more money will save you a lot of hassle in the future.
In conclusion
Whatever you decide, there are many options and ways to get divorce forms in West Virginia. But remember to be careful, and make use of the above tips.
Hopefully, once you get the ball rolling, you can begin your new life, free from the heartaches and tears of the past.
