Warning over DIY divorces

Opting for a so-called ‘online or DIY divorce’ may look cheap, but could cost you dearly in the long run, cautions attorney Simon Dippenaar. ‘We believe that divorce is a serious matter, however amicable, and deserves to be treated with the same respect and dignity as the institution it seeks to dissolve,’ Dippenaar noted. He said you still need to sign the deed of settlement, make copies of all documents and go to court and issue your summons and annexures at the registrar of the court - and take the documents to the Sheriff of the Court in person to serve on the defendant. And if you have children, you would also have to go to the family advocate, then go back to court to get a date for the hearing and then appear on that date.