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A few years ago, the idea of asking a computer for life advice would have sounded strange. Now it’s something many people do without thinking twice.
Americans are now regularly using AI to write emails, plan vacations, apply for jobs, and draft fitness plans. Naturally, people are starting to ask them bigger questions too.
Including questions about divorce.
A new survey of 1,500 respondents by Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law found that 53% of Michigan respondents would consider using AI to help guide them through the divorce process.
It makes sense – divorce can be costly and time-consuming.
Instead, they can simply open their AI chatbot and get an answer instantly.
But attorneys say that convenience can be misleading.
“AI can be useful for learning general information,” says John I. Henderson of Henderson & Henderson Attorneys at Law, “but divorce law isn’t something you can reduce to a simple set of prompts.”
One of the biggest issues is that divorce laws aren’t uniform across the country. Rules around property division, custody arrangements, and financial disclosures differ from those in Michigan, and procedures can sometimes vary from county to county as well.
“People often assume divorce law works the same everywhere,” Henderson says. “It doesn’t. Each state has its own legal standards, and courts expect filings to follow those rules closely.”
That becomes a problem when people rely on AI-generated documents.
Many AI tools can produce forms or legal-style language that looks convincing on the surface. The problem is that courts require very specific wording and formatting, and those details matter more than people realize.
“Just because a document looks official doesn’t mean it will hold up in court,” Henderson says. “Judges reject filings all the time because something small was missing or written incorrectly.”
Financial disclosures are another problematic issue whereby shortcuts can backfire.
Typically, during the process of a divorce, both parties are required to disclose a full set of financial accounts – this could include assets, debts, income, and expenses.
These disclosures help determine how estates can be divided and whether support payments are appropriate. The danger is that, if something is incomplete or misrepresented, even unintentionally, it can complicate the case.
“Divorce settlements depend heavily on accurate financial information,” Henderson explains. “AI has proven to be excellent at organizing data, but it can’t verify whether everything has been properly disclosed.”
Custody matters raise even bigger concerns.
When courts are deliberating, they will evaluate a large range of factors – principally to determine the arrangement that is in the child’s best interests.
Those decisions involve legal standards, personal circumstances, and often delicate negotiations between parents.
“In reality, this is not something that either party would actually want determined by an AI chatbot,” Henderson says. “Family dynamics are incredibly complicated, and custody decisions require judgment.”
Another issue is how confident AI responses tend to sound.
The systems are intentionally designed to sound authoritative and decisive. While that may suit someone using them for everyday queries, it can also create an illusion of certainty in legal matters.
“People read the output and assume it’s correct,” Henderson says. “But the system doesn’t actually know the details of their case.”
However, for many people, the potential (perceived) cost savings are too good to ignore.
It is well established that divorces are often costly, particularly when disagreements arise. Many couples hope that using AI tools will help them reduce legal fees or handle parts of the process themselves.
Henderson understands the instinct.
“Divorce is already stressful enough without worrying about the financial side of it,” he says. “But in my experience, trying to cut corners early on can sometimes create bigger problems later.”
A common mistake arises right at the beginning – during the initial filing process.
For example, incorrect disclosures or incomplete paperwork often need to be corrected later.
That can also lead to delays and additional legal work – both of which lead to more fees that could have been avoided had it been handled properly from the beginning.
However, Henderson acknowledges that “it doesn’t mean technology has no place in the legal world”. He continues: “In fact, many law firms do use AI to organize documents, manage case files, and help clients better understand what lies ahead.”
And used properly, those tools can make the legal process more efficient and less costly for the clients.
“The difference,” Henderson says, “is that technology works best when it supports legal expertise rather than replacing it.”
The other point that Henderson stresses is that divorce is rarely just a paperwork exercise. The process involves major decisions about finances, property, and family structure. Those decisions can have consequences that last for years.
For that reason, Henderson believes AI should be approached carefully when legal matters are involved. “There is nothing wrong with using AI to educate yourself and learn about the process,” he says. “But when it comes to your financial future, it is fundamental that couples have someone who understands the law and who can guide them through it.”
As AI becomes used by more people on a daily basis, they will likely continue turning to it for answers about complex topics. In many cases, that curiosity is harmless. However, when it comes to legal matters, experts say it’s worth remembering that a chatbot can’t fully understand the entire situation.
And it is often the small details that determine the outcome of cases.