Divorce is rightfully considered a painstakingly long and expensive process.
Even in the most amicable divorce situations, preparing and filing legal documents and divorce paperwork can be overwhelming and downright confusing.
It doesn’t have to be.
Thankfully, there are reputable DIY online divorce services that can help you complete your divorce with the local courts in no time.
So, how does 3 Step Divorce stack up with the other online divorce companies?
That’s exactly what I’ll share with you in this in-depth 3StepDivorce review.
Table of Contents:
- What is 3 Step Divorce?
- How Does 3 Step Divorce Work?
- How Much Does 3 Step Divorce Cost?
- Is 3 Step Divorce Legitimate?
- 3 Step Divorce Reviews
- Pros and Cons of 3 Step Divorce
- Who Should Use 3 Step Divorce?
- What is the Best Online Divorce Service?
- Does 3 Step Divorce work in my state?
- 3 Step Divorce FAQs
- Final Verdict
What is 3 Step Divorce?
3StepDivorce is an easy and affordable service that helps you prepare your divorce papers in as little as 30 minutes from the comfort of your own home.
3StepDivorce is a DIY, or “do-it-yourself” solution. This means that a divorce attorney is not involved. Although, attorney support is always available if the DIY process falls apart.
Dubbed “the original online divorce”, 3StepDivorce has a track record of making the process simple and straightforward.
How Does 3 Step Divorce Work?
As their name suggests, the 3StepDivorce process can be completed in 3 Simple Steps:
Step 1: Check if you qualify and create an account.
You’ll answer a few basic questions such as what state you live in and whether you have minor children to confirm that you qualify to divorce online.
Step 2: Complete the simple online questionnaire in as little as 30 minutes. You’ll answer questions about your:
- Marriage
- Children
- Marital residence
- Assets and debts
- Income and expenses
Step 3: Print, sign, and file your divorce forms with your local court. You’ll get instant access to your completed documents where you can easily make any changes. 3 Step Divorce provides straightforward instructions for filing your divorce forms.
If you want more information on how the site works, check out this short video overview:
How Much Does 3 Step Divorce Cost?
You can handle your 3 Step Divorce for a low flat fee of $299 (all-inclusive).
Compared to other more expensive alternatives such as It’s Over Easy and LegalZoom, 3StepDivorce delivers on its promise of making divorce both cheap and affordable.
The $299 flat fee is paid up-front, but can also be broken down into installments – which means you can get started for as little as $84/month:
- Two monthly payments of $157
- Three monthly payments of $109
- Four monthly payments of $84
Keep in mind that filing fees are not included and can range anywhere from $250-$500 depending on the State and County in which you are located.
Bonus Offer: Get a $50 cash rebate by filing divorce papers within one business day of signing up.
The best part about their pricing model is simple – no hidden fees or recurring charges.
Sure, there are cheaper options such as Divorce Writer and GetDivorcePapers which could save you $150 by comparison, but there is a huge tradeoff in terms of features, ease of use, and overall user experience. The savings is not worth the additional headache.
I recommend sticking with the reasonably priced 3StepDivorce.
Is 3 Step Divorce Legitimate?
Without a doubt, 3 Step Divorce is a legitimate online divorce service.
They are the sister company of Divorce Source, Inc, a well-established firm that has been providing online divorce solutions since 1997 (the early tech days!)
They have been featured in national publications such as Forbes, CNN, and NPR just to name a few.
Don’t just take it from us – their positive online reviews tell the story.
The Better Business Bureau gives the company an “A” Rating.
Other review sites, such as Trustpilot, are littered with positive reviews and feedback.
3 Step Divorce Reviews
3StepDivorce isn’t just our top pick for the best online divorce service (read our full review and comparison here); it’s also the go-to solution for most divorcing couples that decide to get an online divorce.
Trustpilot reviews show an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 1,581 reviews (and counting). The reviews with the Better Business Bureau tell the same story.
Impressively, less than 5% of all reviews gave the service a 1 or 2-star rating.
Most of the poor reviews (which are few and far between!) are from customers that were unaware they had to file their completed forms separately.
In case you’re wondering, the website is very clear that filing is done separately. Not to mention, nearly all online divorce services require customers to file their own divorce papers. The exceptions such as It’s Over Easy and Hello Divorce are quite a bit more expensive.
Pros and Cons of 3StepDivorce
As with any service, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the good, the bad, and the ugly.
To 3StepDivorce’s credit, we really had to reach for things we didn’t particularly like about their service.
Most of their pitfalls apply to any online divorce process.
What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
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All things considered, there isn’t much (if anything) to complain about when it comes to 3StepDivorce.
A few other highlights of the service include:
- Instant document printing & downloading
- Full editing capabilities
- Allows for unlimited document access (at no extra charge)
- Offer unlimited free phone and e-mail product support
- Money-back guarantee
Get Started with 3StepDivorce for only $84 >>
Who Should Use 3StepDivorce?
This 3 Step Divorce review confirms that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to online divorce. While it can save you time and money, it does have its pitfalls.
As with most online divorce services, the 3StepDivorce process is most suitable if you have an uncontested divorce.
You and your spouse should be able to reach an agreement amongst yourselves – on all the important issues – before moving online for the final stretch.
If you can’t agree on everything – don’t worry.
Thanks to 3StepDivorce’s free online negotiation tool, you can settle any last-minute disputes quickly and effectively.
Pro Tip: Despite this useful tool, we still suggest leaving the heavy lifting (aka contested disputes) for an attorney or mediator. Or, consider a hybrid approach to your settlement.
A hybrid approach is two-fold. First, you’ll consult with an attorney that can review your agreement and educate you on your legal rights. Then, engage 3StepDivorce to finish the process and complete all the necessary paperwork.
Wondering whether you’re an ideal candidate for 3StepDivorce?
Keep in mind – the simpler, the better. The fact is, simple divorces are more suitable for an online approach.
Here are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself:
- Was this a short-term marriage?
- Do you have any young children under the age of 18?
- Do you have complex finances?
- Do you have a contested or uncontested divorce?
If you have a short-term marriage, no young children, and relatively straightforward finances, then you’re on the right path!
Two potential roadblocks to completing the online divorce process are:
- Inability to locate your spouse (it takes two to tango)
- Contested divorce (can’t reach agreements with your spouse on asset division, custody, child support, or alimony)
All hiccups aside, anyone can complete their 3StepDivorce with open lines of communication and a full understanding of the pieces at play.
What is the Best Online Divorce Service?
In our (educated) opinion, 3 Step Divorce combines the right level of ease, access to information and top-notch customer service, therefore providing the best overall experience.
Let’s see how it stack up against the competition.
3 Step Divorce vs Complete Case vs It’s Over Easy
There are a slew of important factors we’ve considered in ranking the best online divorce services.
Check out this head-to-head matchup of three of the top-rated online divorce services:
3StepDivorce | Complete Case | It’s Over Easy | |
BBB Rating | A | A- | Not Rated |
Trustpilot Review | 4.6 of 5.0 (1500+ reviews) | 4.1 of 5.0 (275+ reviews) | 3.4 of 5.0 (10+ reviews) |
Pricing | $299 flat fee, no hidden charges | $299 flat fee, plus $24.99/mo for usage after 30 days | $950 Pro Plan, or $2,500 Premium Plan |
Payment Plan | Yes, up to 4 monthly installments | No | No |
Money Back Guarantee | Yes, court acceptance or 100% money back | Yes, court acceptance or 100% money back | No |
Bonus Feature | Online Negotiation Tool | Live Lawyer Feature | Online Course and Workbook |
Resource Library | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Negotiation Tools | Yes | No | Yes |
Site Security | Verisign encryption and McAfee Secure | McAfee Secure | N/A |
Live Support by Phone or Email | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Go to 3StepDivorce now to get started for only $84.
Bottom Line: 3StepDivorce offers all the features and reassurances that other platforms provide, but at a lower price point than other highly rated competitors like Complete Case and It’s Over Easy.
They also have the longest track record of successfully taking divorce settlements across the finish line.
With so much at stake in your divorce, it’ll be a breath of fresh air leaving it in the hands of a well-known and trustworthy service like 3StepDivorce.
Does 3StepDivorce work in my state?
Yes! 3 Step Divorce works in all 50 states and Washington DC. Click on your state below if you’re ready to get started.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Washington DC
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
3StepDivorce FAQs
Is 3StepDivorce secure?
Yes, their site is protected by McAfee Security and also provides for Verisign Encryption.
Is there a time limit on how long I can access my account?
No. You will have unlimited ongoing access for as long as you need it.
Can I share my account login information to provide others with access?
Yes. The site encourages it if you want to share information with your spouse or an attorney. This streamlines the process, builds trust, and brings issues to a quicker resolution.
What if I don’t have answers to all the questions asked on the questionnaire?
That’s fine. Most people don’t have all the answers they need initially. You can stop the process at any time, get the answers you need to complete the forms, and then proceed when you’re ready.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Yes. If you do not know important information and don’t include it, your case can be delayed or even rejected by the court. You will be alerted when you have finished answering all the questions.
If you are curious about how many questions you have left, you can click on the “Question Summary” button, and the required unanswered questions will be listed for you.
What if my spouse and I can’t agree on how to answer a question?
It happens quite frequently, even in the best of circumstances. Consider mediation as a possibility. This creates pathways to a mutual agreement where none existed initially. Keep in mind, you want to avoid litigation in any way possible. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and agonizing.
Can I access the Divorce Source Professional Library at any time?
Yes. To do so, go here.
How can I view my documents?
Viewing your documents should only happen if you have finished answering all the questions.
Open the “Documents” tab and click the “PDF” icon or the “Pencil” icon. If you click the “PDF” icon, you will go directly to your document list. If you click the “Pencil” icon, you will go to the “Generate Your Document” page.
You can generate your documents as many times as you like at no charge. If you do not see a “PDF” icon, most likely you have not answered all the questions, at which point you should continue by clicking on the “Pencil” icon.
How quickly will I get my forms?
After you complete your interview questions and pay for your purchase, your forms are instantly available for download, or you can choose to have them mailed to you.
How do I file my documents?
The first document in the “Document List” is your state’s filing instructions. These should be downloaded and printed along with all of your other documents. The filing instructions are specific to your state and offer a step-by-step format that is easy to understand and follow.
How do I contact 3StepDivorce if I have questions?
Call 1-800-680-9052 (Mon. – Fri. 9 am – 5 pm EST.)
You can also send an email to info@3stepdivorce.com.
Final Verdict
We’ve done our homework, and it’s clear that 3StepDivorce is the runaway winner.
Both clean and simple, they offer outstanding customer support and are backed by more than 20 years of frontline experience. There aren’t any other legitimate players that can say the same.
While not the least expensive service in the online divorce form space (but close to it) we’re confident that 3StepDivorce represents the best value in terms of time, money, and overall user experience.