A cynic might say the new online divorce tool for couples is a way to get a quickie divorce. After all, breakups are common, with B.C.’s divorce rate at 39.8%.
But a closer look at the new Online Divorce Assistant Application established by the Ministry of Attorney General this summer suggests the initiative is more about removing unnecessary roadblocks to people’s plans than making it easier to get a divorce.
For joint-filed divorces — which account for about 30% of the 10,000 divorces sought annually in B.C. — applicants still need to agree on all applicable family law issues, such as spousal support and the division of property, which takes work.
Where the online tool is useful is to help users go through the steps, streamlining the process and reducing the chance of a paperwork mistake.
While the new assistant can be used on a smart phone and takes around 30 minutes to complete, there is not much chance it will inspire people to get a divorce; rather, it will help them deal with what can be a stressful process.
