Divorce Yourself
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DIY Divorce Program
Step-by-step guidance, from start to finish.
Regional Court
Divorces in the Regional Court are quicker and cost less.
DIY Divorce Papers
All the necessary documents in required format.
About DIY Divorces
First, a word of caution: DIY divorces are not recommended as it could have severe long term consequences for either or both spouses when things go sideways. But, if there’s no other way, even a DIY Divorce comes with options.
A free DIY Divorce is possible. For this you will need to approach the Court for assistance. Divorcing couples have generally experienced this an intimidating and stressful process but doable, nonetheless. Then, for under R200, there is Grayston’s online Divorce Yourself Programme.
On Your Own, But Not Alone
The Divorce Yourself Program is designed to simplify the DIY divorce process considerably. It includes all the required resources and paperwork and will guide you through your entire divorce, every step of the way, provided that it meets the criteria for a simple, unopposed divorce. It is presented in an interactive program format with access to user forum and program support. No hidden costs or nasty surprises. Besides the initial sign-up fee the only other expenses you should incur is for the Sheriff to serve the summons. If you follow the steps in the program, these shouldn’t exceed R200. If your divorce is not that simple or you are not confident enough to do it yourself, rather consult a specialist divorce lawyer.
Do the spouses agree?
Agreement between spouses to settle forms the basis of most unopposed divorces and without which a Do-It-Youself divorce is not possible. Settlement simplifies divorce proceedings and determines the rights and obligations of the parties in respect of their children, property and maintenance.
For a brief introduction to the programme, watch this short demo video.
The 5-Stage Legal Process
Stage 1 – Summons Issued
Stage 2 – Summons Served
Stage 3 – Hearing Date Application
Stage 4 – Hearing Attendance
Stage 5 – Fetch Divorce Decree
Divorce Yourself
by Grayston Campus- Step-by-step guidance
- Online Process
- All legal documents
- No Typing Required
What The Experts Are Saying
Free Advice From Specialist Divorce Attorneys
As regards reaching a settlement, sooner is usually better, provided it is fair to all concerned.
Contested divorce cases often start out as uncontested. Prepare for the worst case scenario.
That unopposed divorces are always preferable is beyond question, but it is not always possible.
Advice from retired divorce lawyer
According to retired specialist divorce attorney, Ann Benoit, the choice between an uncontested or a contested divorce could be a critical decision for better or for worse. After spending a lifetime in divorce courts, Ann became increasingly annoyed with the vengeance fuelled, ‘win-at-all-cost’ divorces, so common in the courts:
“It consumes the people involved… destroying their finances, their mental health, their children and sometimes their very lives. The angry, ‘win-at-all-cost’ divorce is not good for anyone, the people involved, the children nor for society as a whole, bar for the lawyers, of course. The more you fight, the less money you have and the more money they make. Even after the divorce, if you have children, you are still a family of sorts, required to co-operate and work together through the child rearing years.
FAQ’s
Whom is the Divorce Yourself programme designed for?
The Divorce Yourself programme is designed for spouses who:
- live in South Africa;
- know how to contact each other;
- are in agreement on the terms of the divorce; and
- do not wish to engage the services of an attorney.
Which marriages does the Divorce Yourself Programme apply to?
The Divorce Yourself programme applies to Civil Marriages that were concluded in South Africa with the exception of Civil Unions, Muslim and Hindu marriages, and marriages in terms of African Customary Law.
The Divorce Yourself Programme is designed to guide you
through your entire DIY divorce, every step of the way.