How our online divorce process works
From your first answer to your final order — here is exactly what happens, who does what, and roughly how long each of the six steps takes.
You can save your answers and come back. Your pace, your call.
You can apply for divorce online by answering questions about you, your marriage and your separation.
- Lawyer-checked, every time
- Most applications do not require an online court hearing
- Fixed price, no hourly bills
- Re-file guarantee
- Track every step online
The six steps
- 1
Start right now — check eligibility & see your price
You, two minutes
You answer two questions — when you separated and whether it is a joint or sole application — and we tell you whether you can file now and what it costs, including whether you qualify for the reduced court fee. Nothing is saved and no account is needed to check. If you are not yet eligible, we tell you the earliest date you can file. What we need from you: an honest answer on when you separated. Timeframe: about two minutes.
- 2
Answer our questions online — about 15 minutes
You
Tell us about you, your ex, the marriage and the separation, and any children. We ask only what the Court needs and explain each question in plain English. You can save and resume on any device. What we need from you: the marriage date and place (including the country if you married overseas), the separation timeline, and, if relevant, children's living arrangements. Timeframe: about 15 minutes for a straightforward matter; longer where there is more to explain.
- 3
A family lawyer checks and drafts — usually within 2 business days
Our lawyer
A real family lawyer reviews your eligibility, jurisdiction and any children's arrangements against a checklist, then drafts the application. If anything is unclear we message you — that back-and-forth is included in your fixed fee. What we need from you: your uploaded marriage certificate (and ID), plus any follow-up answers. Timeframe: usually within two business days of a complete intake and documents.
- 4
Meet your lawyer on a short video call — show ID, confirm, sign
You and our lawyer, 15 minutes
A short video call to sight your original ID, confirm your instructions, approve the draft and sign electronically — together if it is a joint application. This is what proves to the Court that it is really you applying, and it is why almost no one needs to attend the hearing in person. What we need from you: your original ID and a quiet 15 minutes. Timeframe: slots usually available within days of draft approval.
- 5
We file and take it from there
Our lawyer
We file with the Federal Circuit and Family Court and pay the court fee out of your trust funds. On a sole application we arrange service on your ex — by post, agent or process server as appropriate — and file proof with the Court. What we need from you: nothing more for an undefended matter. Timeframe: usually filed within one business day of the completed call; service usually within one to two weeks.
- 6
Your divorce order arrives — takes effect one month and one day after the hearing
The Court, then us notifying you
The Court lists the hearing about two to three months after filing, in order of filing. Since 10 June 2025 most applicants do not need to attend the hearing. The divorce order takes effect one month and one day after the hearing. We track every milestone in your dashboard and let you know once it is final. What we need from you: nothing, unless the Court specifically directs attendance. Court fee as at 1 July 2026: $1,170 ($390 with a concession card).
Your 12 milestones
Every matter runs the same path — sole applications add a service step.
- 1Application started
- 2Documents received
- 3Payment received
- 4Spouse confirmed
- 5Lawyer approved
- 6Verified & signed
- 7Filed
- 8Served / proof filed
- 9Hearing
- 10Order made
- 11Order takes effect
- 12Closed
What happens if something goes wrong
Applications are usually straightforward, but here is honestly what happens in the three situations that can slow things down.
The Court sends the application back (a “requisition”)
If the registry asks for something to be corrected, we fix and re-file. If the requisition was caused by our error there is no additional professional fee and we pay any second court fee; if it was caused by information you gave us, the standard extras may apply and any second court fee is yours — but we still fix it for you.
Your ex files a Response
If your ex opposes the divorce or raises something the Court needs to deal with, your lawyer reviews the Response and advises. A Response is rare for an undefended divorce; if any further work is needed we quote it in writing before doing anything more.
Service cannot be completed (sole applications)
If we cannot serve your ex — for example they have moved and cannot be found — we try the options the Court allows, such as service by post to a known address or on a relative. If those do not work we can apply to the Court for substituted or dispensed service. That work is quoted in writing and agreed before any work starts, and only if it is actually needed.
Whatever comes up, it is handled by a lawyer — not by you reading a help page at midnight. See our re-file guarantee.
Honest timing
The Court usually lists the hearing 2–3 months after filing, in order of filing. Timing depends on the Court and on us receiving everything we need. Nothing is filed until a lawyer confirms eligibility and you approve.
Frequently asked questions
See your price in two minutes
Two minutes · no obligation · a lawyer confirms everything before anything is filed