Cash-strapped couples who have reached the end of the road in their relationship are increasingly turning to divorce websites in an attempt to save money, but family lawyer Angela Davis of Nottingham law firm Berryman, warns such websites could be a simple case of false economy.

"In these difficult economic times, many divorcing couples are tempted to look to the internet and consider using an online divorce provider in an attempt to save on finances at what is already a difficult time," says Angela. "However, many of the forms and guidance notes available on these websites are in fact readily available free of charge from the local county court office, something few of these websites make clear.

"Essentially, using an online website means you actually represent yourself and act as your own lawyer. The online divorce sites usually carry numerous disclaimers making it clear that they are not your lawyer and are just assisting you by preparing the papers on your behalf. 

"In a very straightforward case where there are either no children or no dispute regarding the arrangements for children, nor a dispute regarding financial matters, using an internet provider could be a sensible option. However, if a case is that straightforward an even more sensible option may be to consider 'acting in person' and dealing with the divorce yourself, cutting out even the internet provider and saving the associated costs of this route."

Angela warns people choosing to use internet providers to be very cautious and select carefully: "Often it is the case that the provider will not continue with the case should any problems arise or if they do there will be a 'loophole' allowing them to charge additional fees over and above any fixed free quoted. In these circumstances, using such a provider could well prove to be more expensive than instructing a solicitor to provide a bespoke service at the outset."

If there is any dispute regarding the arrangements for children or financial matters, people should be especially wary. "Even in a case which appears to be amicable and straightforward at the start, problems can often arise at a later date," says Angela. "I would strongly advocate obtaining good quality legal advice from a solicitor at the outset."

She explains: "In the last few weeks, I have recently been asked to help out in two separate cases where the divorcing parties had initially instigated divorce proceedings through using internet providers. In each of these cases the internet providers were based in Wales and presumably as a consequence divorce proceedings were issued in Welsh Courts. Divorce proceedings can be issued in any court in England and Wales and do not have to be issued in a court where the parties live. However, in both cases, the internet provider failed to forewarn the parties that should there be any dispute regarding financial matters any financial application would have to be made in the same court which dealt with the divorce. 

"Problems have now arisen with the finances, and the clients are now faced with the prospect of travelling to Wales to have these claims addressed - something they understandably do not relish. This also has cost implications for them all. So what appeared on the face of it to be a 'cheap divorce' in the short term could now prove to cost considerably more in the longer term."

There are various risks and pitfalls involved in dealing with your own divorce and/or instructing an internet provider. "In my view," says Angela, "there is no substitute for obtaining good quality legal advice, tailor-made to each individual's particular requirements."