When it comes to DIY divorce, there is no shortage of options to choose from. And CompleteCase is one of the most well-known.
But how does CompleteCase stack up to the competition?
Despite its solid reputation, CompleteCase is not our top pick for DIY divorce.
(Though they did earn an honorable mention with our #3 spot overall…)
With a recurring monthly fee that kicks in after 30 days, there are better, cheaper options that I recommend instead.
In this in-depth review, I’ll break down exactly what you need to know about CompleteCase – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents:
What is CompleteCase?
CompleteCase is another force to be reckoned with in the world of DIY online divorce.
Their internationally acclaimed program is designed for couples that want to avoid the burdensome cost and timeline of a traditional divorce.
With easy-to-follow instructions and a user-friendly interface, CompleteCase can guide you across the divorce finish line with little to no hassle (and no attorney invoices!)
How Does CompleteCase Work?
It appears CompleteCase has taken a page out of the 3StepDivorce process.
CompleteCase also promises a simple and streamlined approach to settling an uncontested divorce, in as little as 3 steps:
Step 1 – Select your State, and find out if you’re eligible for an online divorce
You can head right over to CompleteCase.com to get started.
For the CompleteCase service to work effectively, you’ll want to start by confirming whether you:
- Know where your spouse is
- Have an uncontested divorce
- Have any children under 18
FYI – It’s worth noting that upon testing, we were labeled as a ‘Qualified Candidate’’ despite answering NO to any or all of these questions.
Step 2 – Complete a simple online interview in 30 minutes or less
Similar to other online divorce platforms like 3StepDivorce and It’s Over Easy, you’ll answer questions covering topics such as:
- Date and location of marriage
- Children and/or pregnancy
- Community property
- Community debt
- Sources of income, etc.
Tip: The more prepared you are heading into the online interview, the faster you’ll be able to complete the questionnaire (maybe even in as little as 30 minutes!).
Step 3 – Print your completed forms, and follow step-by-step filing instructions
Once the documents are complete, you will have immediate access to them online.
You can print the forms from the comfort of your home, or request them by paper mail.
Worried that you made a mistake? Forgot to include an important piece of information?
Fear not – CompleteCase allows you to make changes and reprint your forms as necessary. There are no additional fees for these changes.
How Much Does CompleteCase Cost?
CompleteCase claims they can save you 80%-90% as compared to a traditional divorce.
Their pricing model is two-fold.
First, you’ll pay a one-time flat fee of $299. This fee grants you access to your documents and other resources on the CompleteCase platform for 30 days.
After 30 days you will no longer have access to these documents unless you extend your subscription on a month-to-month basis.
The cost for monthly access beyond the 1st 30 days is $24.99/month.
Keep in mind that as with most online divorce services, there will be document filing fees paid separately.
Be rest assured that your documents will be accepted by the court, because if they aren’t, you’ll be eligible for CompleteCase’s 100% money-back guarantee.
Is CompleteCase Legit?
CompleteCase is certainly a legitimate service that’s earned its place on our list of top online divorce companies for 2021.
In business for 19 years, CompleteCase boasts an “A-” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
CompleteCase reviews on the BBB website are a mixed bag of good and bad.
After some research, it appears many of the bad ratings came from surprised customers that didn’t expect a recurring monthly charge of $24.99.
In defense of CompleteCase, they are very clear about this monthly fee on their website.
On the flip side, charging a recurring monthly fee for access to documents is not a customer-friendly approach, despite the relatively low cost.
CompleteCase Reviews
As a veteran player in the world of online divorce, CompleteCase has had its fair share of media coverage. They’ve been featured in TIME, USA Today, ABC, and CBS, to name a few.
They also have a steady presence on various review sites, such as TrustPilot, which reflects a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.
A bulk of the 1 and 2-star reviews were given by customers that appear frustrated by having to pay a recurring monthly expense for continued access to documents.
There are also bad reviews about the responsiveness of their customer support department. However, it appears that CompleteCase responds to these negative reviews promptly, and offers solutions for the customer.
Pros and Cons of Complete Case
At this point, you should know that CompleteCase is a solid overall option to consider.
Despite the obvious pitfalls with the service, such as its recurring monthly fee, there are plenty of compensating factors that can make it worthwhile.
What We Like | What We Don’t Like |
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Who Should Use CompleteCase?
Anyone thinking about DIY online divorce should consider using CompleteCase.
The service is most suitable for customers that:
- Are facing an uncontested divorce
- Don’t have young children
- Have a relatively simple financial situation
One thing we would add to this list of requirements for CompleteCase is that you must be willing and able to work quickly.
They promise to make things fast and easy, and they certainly deliver on this promise, with forms ready in as little as 30 minutes.
However, you must work fast in order to make this worthwhile.
If you’re slow to reach an agreement, or slow to complete the process as a whole, you may be left holding the bag.
At $24.99/month starting on Day 31, the cost for this service can add up quickly if you don’t work effectively and efficiently.
What is the Best Online Divorce Service?
Despite 3StepDivorce holding the #1 spot as our top online divorce service, CompleteCase isn’t too far behind.
CompleteCase snagged an honorable mention with the #3 spot on our list, and rightfully so.
We hold them in higher regard than a number of other options including LegalZoom and DivorceWriter.
They have a simple online interface with easy-to-complete forms, responsive customer service, and the all-important money-back guarantee.
However, we can’t ignore the recurring monthly fee for access to documents. It is too risky of a proposition for cost-sensitive customers, and it can quickly balloon out of control if not carefully monitored.
Here’s how CompleteCase stacks up against the competition:
3StepDivorce | CompleteCase | 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 |
CompleteCase FAQ
How long does it take to fill out an interview with Complete Case?
The average time to go through the Complete Case process is just under half an hour.
What if I have children or unresolved issues regarding property division.
CompleteCase is equipped to handle these issues as part of your uncontested divorce. If you have disagreements and can’t resolve these issues, you should consult an attorney to protect your interests.
How much money can I save using Complete Case?
CompleteCase estimates that the average savings of using their services vs. hiring an attorney comes out to $3,750.
Does CompleteCase work in my state?
Yes. CompleteCase works in all 50 states and Washington DC. It works for Canadian provinces as well.
Does it matter where we were married?
No. A divorce should be filed where you or your spouse currently live. If either spouse has lived in the state where you intend to file, you can use our service as long as you meet residency requirements. Check your state info for specific residency requirements.
What software programs will I need?
You’ll only need Adobe Acrobat, to create pdf files, so you can view and print the forms. If you don’t already have it, you can download Adobe Reader for free.
Can I change my answers after I fill out a form?
Yes. You can return to your account and make changes as long as your account is active. You can pay for extended file storage beyond your original 30-day account by paying a small monthly fee.
What if I have legal questions while I’m completing the forms?
Complete Case employees can’t answer legal questions. However, each of the questions asked during the process has a simple explanation, and most have topic-specific laws available for your reference. If a lawyer is required, the site’s Live Lawyer feature can connect you to a lawyer licensed in your state for an additional small fee.
Does my spouse need to sign the documents?
Yes. This service works best when both spouses are in agreement so both parties are already willing to sign. Of course, you don’t need to have every detail sorted out immediately, but you’ll need to agree before submitting your completed answers.
our pricing.
How do I contact Complete Case?
1.877.282.0944
Monday – Friday 10 am – 8 pm EST
You can also email the site by going here: https://www.completecase.com/contact/
Final Verdict
CompleteCase.com has everything you need to successfully complete your divorce online, from the comfort of your own home.
The challenge is that you must be able to work diligently to keep costs down since there’s a monthly fee after 30 days. Unfortunately, this isn’t always doable. Chances are you’ll hit a snag with negotiating an agreement with your soon-to-be-ex.
3StepDivorce offers all of the same benefits of CompleteCase.com without the stress that comes with having to finalize your forms within 30 days.
That’s why we recommend 3StepDivorce over CompleteCase.
Check out our full review of 3StepDivorce here – or get started with 3StepDivorce for only $84 now.