While divorce and technology can both be intimidating, becoming familiar with the right digital tools can actually help make your divorce process faster, easier and more pleasant. Below, we break down the tools our firm frequently recommends to clients and that they find most beneficial.
Staying Organized
During a divorce, there are a lot of moving parts, so it’s crucial to utilize resources that will help you stay organized and keep clear communication.
Calendars: Whether on paper or digital, using a calendar is key to helping you keep track of deadlines. Some online options include Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. There are other simple calendaring apps you may prefer in your computer or mobile app stores.
Spreadsheets: Spreadsheets are a great way to organize information about different topics as well as compare financials. Two great tools for spreadsheets include Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Tracking income and its sources is helpful for you and the opposing client. Another important piece of information for a spreadsheet is debts from credit cards, loans for cars or school, and mortgages. Spreadsheets can also be helpful when it comes to budgeting to keep your finances accounted for and to be able to allocate funds for expenses such as transportation, housing, food, and legal services.
If your divorce involves children, sharing information is also necessary with parenting or proposed parenting roles, educational expenses, and their activities. A spreadsheet can be used as a checklist with your attorney to be able to determine what documents are needed, what documents are submitted, and what documents are completed.
AI Chatbots: AI is increasingly being used across various aspects of everyday life. By no means is AI a replacement of human professional legal advice, but AI is a great tool for asking questions or helping with organization.
Microsoft Copilot, ChaptGPT, and DeepL, are just some of the AI tools that can help with organization and answering questions. AI uses algorithms to comprehend and answer questions that vary from simple to complex. To help with organization, AI can create document outlines when you give the AI program guidelines of what to include. AI is a tool that can create different tables and spreadsheets of different complexities depending on what you need. With these different outlines that AI has created, you are able to stay organized.
Document Storage: When you accumulate lots of documents, it can be tricky to keep completed files organized for later use. In addition to the spreadsheet explained above, Dropbox can be used as an online filing tool. You can create folders to help with your organization in any way that is best for you.
Communication
Email: Having an active email account is key to communicating throughout your divorce process and necessary to sign up for the various digital platforms and apps we recommend. You might want to set up a new email account designated for divorce communications to help you stay organized and and prevent important messages related to your case from getting lost in the shuffle of your personal or work inbox.
Phone Calls and Texting: At Andersen Law PC, we want our clients to know we are always in their corner, and that means that you have direct access to your attorney when you need it. Beth always offers her cell number and is available to clients for phone calls and text messages. You can even call her directly to set up a free consult at 303-808-4794.
Docusign: Docusign is an application that Andersen Law uses to send documents online for clients to review papers and sign off on them. This is a way for our firm to access clients who are unable to visit our office, live in a different state, or want to be in the comfort of their own home.
Video Conferencing: Whether it’s for a free consultation, a meeting, or your court hearing, it is important to learn about video conferencing options. Since the pandemic, platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Webex are commonly used. For court hearings and cases that have been granted the motion to be virtual, courts use Webex. This platform also gives witnesses the opportunity to appear virtually to be able to support their friends and family.
Translation Apps: Another resource that is important for communication is access to translating apps. Otter is an AI translating app that helps with recording and typing meeting notes, making transcripts, forming lists of items to complete and next steps, and making summaries of a meeting.
Divorce Support Resources
Youth of Divorce Website: At Andersen Law PC, kids are the top priority in divorce proceedings. That’s why we provide a resource for your child(ren) to feel supported throughout the divorce process. Youth of Divorce is a website that provides legal information, counseling and therapy resources, and hot lines aimed at older children and young adults.
Child Support Assistance: When it comes to child support, the Colorado Division of Child Support Services can help with making a child support order, collecting payments, and changing the previous order.
Free Divorce Clinics: Divorce clinics are a resource that can help you find free or low-cost legal assistance, typically offering in 15 minutes free with an attorney to help you learn how to support yourself in and out of the court room.
Forms on Colorado Judicial Website: You may choose to hire a lawyer to fully represent you in the divorce process or to only handle specific aspects of your case. You can find forms you need and additional self-help resources on the Colorado Judicial website.
Whether you want to hire a divorce attorney on retainer for the full divorce process or for unbundled services, or aren’t sure what’s best, our experienced attorneys at Andersen Law PC are available for a free consultation to point you in the right direction. Call our office at 720-922-3880 to schedule yours today.
