Discussions

Hi,  
 
I have been researching and it looks like you can get your own forms and file for a divorce yourself for $160 in Manitoba, provided everything is uncontested.  
 
Has anyone ever done this here in Manitoba, and particularly in Brandon?  
 
If so, did you need a separation agreement prior to the divorce petition, or were you able to just do this yourself with a divorce petition only?  
 
Looking for any advice that you can give.  
 
Thanks.

friends of mine did this, where getting along fine, then decided to get lawyers and that is when it got expensive and drawn out. The lawyers just put thoughts in the clients head that they should ask for this and have this and that and then on and on it goes.  
 
They finally sat down with a bottle of wine, did what they wanted, then went back to the lawyer, with everything said and done. Told the lawyers no changes, file. If you can get along to do that will definitely keep the costs down.

...how much it cost them to go through lawyers when they did all the agreeing themselves? I hear that it is usually around 3-4 hours worth of lawyer time minimum, even if they agree on everything themselves beforehand?

Is what I would like to do as well..... the legal separation covered property division. custody, etc.

AllsWell said "...how much it cost them to go through lawyers when they did all the agreeing themselves? I hear that it is usually around 3-4 hours worth of lawyer time minimum, even if they agree on everything themselves beforehand? "

no I don't.

A divorce can be as simple as you want it to. A lawyer will tell you your rights but will not do work that you don't want them to. If you want things easy then it's up to you to have it that way.  
 
I had a family member who was getting a divorce. One lawyer drew up the proper settlement papers as couple agreed to previously between each other. Sent to my family member, she went to her own lawyer, lawyer reviewed it with her, told her what her rights were and she signed. It went through court, all was agreed and done! Minimal time and cost. It's really that easy

Bought the guide from Winnipeg, followed the guidelines of an uncontested divorce, filed the court documents and done. I did pay a lawyer $200 to help fill out the court papers, (I think there was 2 times to the courthouse for papers, the lawyer helped with the second set) all said and done everything was less than $500. Was a few years ago so the finer details are foggy but wasn't difficult at all. I did have to obtain an official marriage certificate as well, think it was $60 or $80. By the way, we applied as co-applicant, saves having to serve the other person papers (and the associated cost of doing so)  
 
Edited by grtwhthntr, 2016-11-10 17:42:51

A friend is getting a "do-it-yourself" divorce. He says $150 is all it costs.