Divorce by Supermarket

Over the last five years, more than 60% of the people in the UK have used legal services in some form or the other. Though these people have been availing services from their regular legal service providers they have expressed willingness to try alternates, if available.  

These consumers are contributors to a £ 11-12 billion industry. And more than 50% of them said that they prefer online or telephonic interaction to direct meetings with solicitors. Keeping their requirements in mind ‘Tesco.com’ has launched its legal store in partnership with a legal publishing agency.

This online supermarket giant feels that some legal proceedings are too simple to solicit a solicitor’s help. Consumers with a variety of legal requirements can purchase forms from this online store. One such legal form is the DIY divorce kit that is priced at £7.49.

Advantages of Buying DIY Divorce Kits from Supermarkets

  • Quite frequently, people are afraid of approaching solicitors. Probably, the highly expensive nature of their services frightens them. So genuine is their fear that more than half of the people in the UK die without willing their property. But legal proceedings cannot be always avoided. Such people who fear solicitors and their exorbitant costs are offered the comfort of purchasing the required legal forms in these online supermarkets.
  • By simplifying the legal procedure and making the process of filling up the forms self-explanatory, such alternate legal service providers are serving the public.
  • These supermarkets have benefited many by making legal help more affordable.
  • One among the major beneficiaries is the divorcing couple. They can now opt for the much-needed divorce without much hassle.
  • However, many of the separating couples find it difficult to fill up the divorce forms for they are not aware of the legal jargon. The web sites of these online supermarkets help them by providing explanatory answers.
  • Their web site also provides links with other related and useful web sites of solicitors.
  • Majority of these online supermarkets offer a money back guarantee if the customer is not happy with their services.
  • Finally, purchasing the divorce kit in the supermarket carries with it the additional advantage of earning club card points on purchase.

 Disadvantages of Buying DIY Divorce Kits from Supermarkets

  • Selling divorce forms in online supermarket has given a very simplistic view of the whole process of divorce. Divorce is an issue that deeply affects people. It can be described as a life-shearing experience. Shopping for a divorce form along with groceries or wine lends a callous hue to the whole approach.
  • Many people feel that this is a destabilising influence on the society.
  • The DIY divorce kit contains a set of blank forms and generalised advice. These forms are already available for free in the County court.
  • The website of the supermarket offers general advice. But quite frequently divorcing couples have specific problems. Such couples fail to get the requisite help.
  • Many people wrongly feel that their divorce case is straightforward. But, there may be many unseen pitfalls which they are not aware of. When people finally realise the mistakes they have committed, it turns too costly to rectify.
  • Reaching an amicable financial settlement at the time of a divorce is possible only with the help of a solicitor. A consent order has to be drawn to which both the parties are signatories. Doing it oneself is greatly risky and the long term financial implications would prove lopsided.
  • Divorces are legal proceedings. They are best approached through legal advice and help. The do-it-yourself kits purchased in online supermarkets also provide links to solicitors. This link to solicitors’ sites nullifies the much advertised cost-saving factor.
  • Low costs always rake in low quality services.
  • Divorce forms purchased online from law firms carry the advantage of free legal advice. Experienced solicitors are ever ready to help. They also offer mediation services.

British consumers want quick access to a wide array of services at inexpensive rates. The supermarkets are fulfilling this requirement of the customers. But consumers must remember that legal services are best availed seeking professional expertise. Divorce, especially the sections that deal with child custody and financial settlement, should never be sorted without help.

Article: Divorce by Supermarket

Created on: 2007-07-04 09:52:09