San Antonio law firms have seen a shift in legal trends during the past two awkward years of pandemic times: Three couples in my circle got divorced.
Todas tienen hijos de la edad de mis hijos. Todos los hijos fueron a la misma escuela primaria. Los tres anuncios me tomaron por sorpresa porque conocía a las parejas desde hacía años y todas parecían felices. (Quizá eso demuestra lo buena que soy interpretando situaciones sociales).
Bueno, eso no es la parte más extraña.
The weirdest part is this: They all get along super well now that they are divorced. They show up at the same parties; they express great affection and even love for each other. Usually, they even say they get along better after the divorce as friends than they did as married couples. This is wild! It seems anomalous but is definitely great and preferable for everyone since they have kids and share many friends.
¿Qué tiene que ver esto con el dinero y los negocios, te preguntarás? Se los diré
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, San Antonio-based family law attorney Lauren Smyth of Carrington Smyth PLLC and her husband, Jeremy Smyth, launched a “law-tech” firm called Uncontested.com to address this very situation: couples who do not intend to fight over kids or money and simply want a fast and affordable way to file for divorce. None of the three divorcing couples in my life used Uncontested.com, but all agreed it pretty much fit their situation.
How It Works
One side of a divorcing couple goes to Uncontested.com and answers a series of in-depth personal and financial questions, enough to provide all the data to prepare divorce documents. With Carrington Smyth PLLC as the law firm of record and Lauren Smyth as the attorney, technically the client is the person who filled out the online questionnaire. The other person in the couple also needs to sign the agreement.
Disruptively Inexpensive
Normalmente, el precio de un divorcio absolutamente sencillo en el que todas las partes están de acuerdo en todo es de $2,500 a $3,500 USD. Uncontested.com ofrece un servicio básico, con sólo los documentos, por US$500, más US$500 adicionales por el trabajo legal de tramitar el divorcio, lo que hace que el costo total sea de US$1,000. Se trata de una opción sumamente económica para las personas que no quieren pelear por nada.
"Queremos recompensar a los clientes que pueden llegar a un acuerdo con una opción más barata, hasta ahora no disponible, dándoles los servicios legales limitados que necesitan para completar sus asuntos legales", dice Jeremy.
About 12 percent of users choose the “documents only” option, while the vast majority opt for the full documents, filing, and final hearing service.
The Traditional Cost of Divorce
Kate McConnico, a Houston-based attorney certified in family law, specializes in representing one side in contested, complex divorces. She says her cases often cost from $20,000 to $60,000 to resolve. Even contested cases without extraordinary assets cost from $7,000 to $14,000. I mention this just to note that, ordinarily, the legal fees for getting a divorce are really expensive.
Como dice McConnico de sus clientes: "Lo que más quieren fuera de su vida es a su abogado. Siempre les digo a mis clientes: 'Tienes que deshacerte de mí, y yo te diré cómo hacerlo'".
Tenía la curiosidad de saber si McConnico pensaba que Uncontested.com a $1,000 tenía sentido. Ella revisó el cuestionario en línea y estuvo absolutamente de acuerdo.
“This fits a niche for people who don’t have enough money for in-person litigation but don’t qualify for pro bono,” McConnico said. “For technology-savvy people, this will fill a need.”
Ella estimó que el 30 por ciento de los divorcios se tramitan sin conflicto en Texas, lo que sugiere un mercado muy grande.
San Antonio Law Firms and Expansion Plans
Carrington Smyth PLLC is one of the many San Antonio law firms offering legal services, but Uncontested.com sets itself apart with its innovative and tech-driven approach. To date, 74 percent of its clients have come from the local area, although Uncontested.com works in all Texas counties. A few counties in Texas require physical appearances, which means clients would need to use the $500 “documents only” service.
San Antonio law firms are increasingly embracing technology to provide more cost-effective solutions for their clients. Jeremy told me Uncontested.com has ambitions to expand to both the U.K. (where he is from and where Lauren is already licensed) and additional states as soon as next year. Family law — and requirements for an online divorce document template — varies by state and country. But a coalition of 35 states will synchronize their statutes in 2023, making a “law-tech” solution potentially easier to expand, using one template.
He revisado la plantilla del sitio web y he comprobado que se tarda menos de 10 minutos en iniciar el proceso. No pulsé el botón de contratar a Uncontested.com por los $500 de "sólo documentos" o $1,000 de "servicio completo", ya que odiaría divorciarme accidentalmente en el curso de la investigación. ¡Eso sería un shock!
The Future of Legal Services in San Antonio
San Antonio law firms have traditionally provided legal services in a conventional manner. However, with the rise of online platforms like Uncontested.com, the landscape is changing. More and more individuals are opting for affordable and efficient online legal services, particularly in family law. This shift is not only making legal processes more accessible but also paving the way for further innovations in the industry.
For individuals seeking legal assistance, San Antonio law firms now offer a variety of solutions, from traditional in-person consultations to fully online, tech-driven legal support. This flexibility is crucial in ensuring that legal services remain affordable and convenient for all clients.
San Antonio law firms continue to evolve, ensuring that clients have access to the best legal services possible. With more law-tech solutions emerging, people seeking legal help will have even more accessible options in the future.
Choosing the Right San Antonio Law Firm
With so many San Antonio law firms to choose from, it’s essential to consider factors like affordability, technology adoption, and legal expertise. Whether someone needs a simple uncontested divorce or a more complex legal solution, there are multiple law firms in the city ready to assist.
For more information, feel free to Contacto and explore how law-tech innovations can benefit you.
This article originally appeared in The San Antonio Express-News. Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News.