Pros And Cons Of Serving Divorce Papers By Mail

Deciding how you'll serve your spouse with divorce papers is a topic that you'll need to consider -- and one that you may also want to discuss with your divorce attorney. Having someone serve the paperwork on your behalf is one choice, but you can also send the paperwork in the mail. Before you decide which option you'll pursue, here are some pros and cons of using the mail option:

Pro: It's Simpler In Long Distances

If you live in the same city as your spouse and are separated, serving the divorce papers in person makes sense. However, when you live a considerable distance apart — and perhaps don't speak to your spouse regularly — the idea of traveling to the location to meet with your spouse and specify what is going on can be daunting. If you're feeling this, the simplest choice in your situation might be to send the divorce papers by mail.

Con: It May Seem Impersonal

Receiving divorce papers is one of the most upsetting things that a person can go through, and your spouse may feel as though you choosing to send the paperwork by mail with no warning is impersonal. You might not care much about hurting your spouse's feelings at this point, but if he or she acts defensively, the entire divorce process could be longer and more difficult than it has to be.

Pro: It Doesn't Require A Third Party

Many people choose to involve a third party in the process of filing for divorce. Your attorney can recommend how to choose someone to serve the papers -- it could be a legal official or it could be a family member or friend. At a time that you might already feel a little overwhelmed, the idea of selecting someone to play this role for you may be difficult. Using the mail option may thus be preferable to you.

Con: It May Leave Room For Error

While serving your divorce papers by mail will go well if you carefully follow your attorney's advice, there's room for error if you fail to do so. For example, if you send the paperwork via regular mail, rather than by registered mail, you won't have the tracking that will let you know when the papers get to their intended destination. This can leave you feeling uncertain about how to proceed, result in more stress at a time that is already difficult.

For more information, seek out legal professionals like those at Scott & Scott, PC.