DIY divorce service cuts costs
Business has been booming for Colette Fogarty since she quit her job in a factory.
The 37-year-old mother of three has already processed 20 divorce cases from her home in Kilmurry, Co Clare.
Originally from Carey’s Road in Limerick, Colette decided there was a market for a budget divorce service when she went to hire a solicitor to handle her own divorce.
“I was being charged €2,500 for the paper work. There were no complicating factors to be dealt with. So I went to the library and took out some books on divorce and did it myself.”
Armed with her new expertise, Colette quit her factory job in Shannon and set up her own company, Celtic Divorce Services.
She said: “I only deal with cases where both parties are in agreement and there are no legal matters in dispute. I make it clear that I am not a lawyer. I process all the paper work and give it to my clients who can then walk into court with all the necessary paper work fully completed and secure a divorce.”
She said that legal firms charge up to €3,000 for the same service she offers.
“My fee is €600. When I saw the prices being charged by lawyers, I said I would do it myself.
“I tell them I am not a legal person, but can process all the paperwork to allow them go to court for a divorce. If there are unresolved legal matters, I advise them to get legal advice,” she said.
Colette has processed 20 divorce cases in the past 12 months. She said it takes about four weeks to deal with all the paperwork which enables her clients to go for divorce decrees in the Circuit Court.
She does not go to court.
“The people represent themselves in court and they can do this because there is no disagreement between the parties and they have all the necessary paperwork,” she said.
Colette, who lives with her partner of 17 years, has set up her office in the family home.
“I have my divorce and we plan to marry,” said Colette, who has a website to help deal with the increased business.
The website is www.divorce.ie and her e-mail address is info@divorce.ie
