DIY Divorce Services

DIY Divorce Services:  A Full‑service lawyer, a legal coach or “Google law”: what’s the difference?

DIY Divorce Services in BC is something that we are hearing more and more about. But what is it and how do you know if it is the right fit for you? 

If you’re going through a separation or divorce in British Columbia, you actually have more control than you might think over how you get legal help. 

The great news is that you are spoiled for choice. You’ve essentially got three main options: “Google law,” a full-service lawyer, or a DIY divorce services approach with a legal coach.

Here are 3 options for you:

• Option One:  Use “Google law”: Learn the basics. Google to your heart’s content and discover everything you want to know about separation and divorce. 
• Option Two: Hire a full-service lawyer: Hand over the legal and strategic heavy lifting from start to finish. 
• Option Three: DIY Divorce Services with a legal coach (unbundled services): You run your own case, but bring in a lawyer only for the specific pieces you choose.

Your three main options:

Option 1: DIY and “Google law” – powerful, but handle with care

Let’s be transparent. Almost everyone starts with Google. Even lawyers start with Google these days. 

There is a huge amount of free information out there, and some of it is excellent. There are websites that carry general information, and other sites that offer step-by-step guides, forms, and checklists for everything from how to run your own trial, to checklists for your divorce. 

Used wisely, these resources can be fantastic for understanding the basics and can give you a great introduction to everything you need to know from finding suggested parenting time or custody schedules, what financial steps you should take to protect yourself prior to ending your relationship, and even what is the best divorce lawyer to hire. 

The danger comes when “Google law” turns into DIY legal advice: articles from other provinces, AI-generated summaries, or forum posts can be out of date, misleading, or simply wrong, and courts in Canada have already raised concerns about inaccurate or misused online legal content.

DIY Divorce Services via good old Google does have its risks. In family law, one badly drafted agreement or a missed claim can affect your children, support, and property for years. If you’re relying mostly on Google, it’s wise to at least spot-check key decisions or documents with a lawyer before you sign off on your agreement or file any court documents.

Option 2: Full-service lawyer – your captain in rough seas:

Hiring a full-service family lawyer is like asking an experienced captain to steer your ship through a storm while you focus on your life and your kids. We map out the strategy, handle the paperwork, negotiate with your ex’s lawyer, appear in court, attend mediation, and keep track of the deadlines and details—always based on your clear instructions and decisions.

In BC, family lawyers must follow strict rules on competence, confidentiality, and loyalty, so you get both expertise and accountability. This “turn-key” approach makes the most sense when there are children, significant assets, safety issues, power-imbalance concerns, or you simply do not have the time or emotional bandwidth to manage a your case yourself.

Think of this as your high-support, low-DIY option: you invest more financially, but you get a professional taking you by the hand and guiding you every step of the way.

Option 3: DIY with a legal coach – you’re the captain, we’re your crew

Legal coaching (also called unbundled services, legal consulting, or a limited scope retainer) is another option. Transparently (there we go again with that transparency thing), more and more folks are choosing this option. 

How it works is that you stay in charge of your entire family law matter, but you bring in a lawyer for specific tasks—strategy sessions, document review, drafting key agreements, or preparing you for mediation or court.

Think of it as “behind-the-scenes guidance” that you can turn up or down depending on your skills, time, and budget. For example, you might book a block of time to design a settlement plan, get feedback on your affidavits, or use a flat-fee DIY divorce package where the lawyer reviews your documents before you file.

This route works extremely well if you are a “Type A” organized-type of person, willing to do some homework, and you want every legal dollar to go as far as possible. Think of this option as having an expert mentor in your corner: you keep control, you learn as you go, and you only pay for targeted help where it makes the biggest difference.

DIY Divorce Services - Choosing your mix: design, don’t drift

Here is some more good news. You do not have to choose one option and stay in it. Many people combine all three approaches at different stages. For example, you might:

• Use high-quality online information to understand the basics of what a separation and divorce entails; 
• You can add DIY Divorce Services and legal coaching for routine steps, strategy, and document review.
• You can also bring in a full-service lawyer if things become high-stakes, contested, or overwhelming.

Smart business owners grow great companies by surrounding themselves with the right people at the right time, not by going it alone and guessing. Treat your separation the same way: blend information, coaching, and full representation so you protect what matters most—your kids, your safety, and your long-term finances—while still respecting your budget and your appetite for doing it yourself.

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