Lawyer introduces money-saving 'do-it-yourself' divorce system in Ontario
"Nobody should be forced to dig out of a deep financial hole before getting on with their new life."
TORONTO, May 11 /CNW/ - Why would a divorce lawyer with a thriving law practice in Toronto's affluent Yorkville neighbourhood, who commands more than $50,000 for a contested divorce, introduce a do-it-yourself system at a fraction of the price he would charge?
"After 30 years as a divorce lawyer, I became increasingly fed up with how people are treated by the Ontario Family Court system when they are forced to represent themselves because they can't afford a high-priced lawyer like me," said Robert Berman, B.C.L, LL.B, principal of Berman Barristers. "I believe justice should not be reserved for the rich who can easily afford expensive lawyers or for the poor who can apply for Legal Aid," he added.
More than half of all divorces in Ontario are between people who fall in the middle of these two income groups - people who work hard just to be able to pay their bills and who cannot afford to pay tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
In response to this need, Berman authored two highly informative books that help people survive the divorce process without a lawyer, Separating From Your Spouse 101 and The Do-It-Yourself Guide to the Family Courts. (The latter is available on his website and can be downloaded free of charge at www.ontariofamilycourtguide.com)
The demand for his books led to the creation of MyOntarioDivorce.com, a do-it-yourself divorce website which allows people to navigate their way through the complex Ontario Family Court process while keeping their dignity and their bank accounts intact.
MyOntarioDivorce.com also offers three Plans: the Simple (Uncontested) Divorce Plan ($97), which allows users to automatically generate their Simple Application for Divorce; the Separation Agreement Plan ($997), which allows users to automatically generate their own Separation Agreement and Financial Statement, and; the Family Court Plan ($1,997) which allows users to automatically generate every Court Form they need to successfully represent themselves in the Ontario Family Courts.
Users fill out easy-to-follow online questionnaires that don't use 'legalese.' They can also fill out the forms on their own time and in the comfort of their home. In addition to enabling users to generate forms that Berman guarantees will be accepted by the Family Courts, MyOntarioDivorce.com also:
- guides users through the issues they need to resolve and reflect in a Separation Agreement; - provides access to a comprehensive Resource Centre which is full of valuable information and guidance needed in order to successfully self-represent in the Ontario Family Courts; - provides online legal advice from one of the experienced divorce lawyers affiliated with MyOntarioDivorce.com; - arranges for the proper filing of all the court forms needed throughout a divorce proceeding; - offers live monthly Coaching Calls where answers to legal questions are provided by Berman himself.
"During three decades of handling divorces, I've watched it become more difficult and more expensive for the average person," said Berman. "Nobody should be forced to dig out of a deep financial and emotional hole before getting on with their new life," he added.
For further information: Ellen Woodger, (416) 483-2358; Suzanne Hughes, (416) 961-1757 x 202
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