By Steve Dinnen
Artificial intelligence is creeping, or maybe marching, into our lives in ways both expected and unexpected. The latter includes divorce court, where local attorney Kim Stamatelos tells us that AI is becoming a go-to tool for couples who want to process these notoriously complicated and stressful matters on their own.
“Nobody wants to hire a lawyer anymore,” said Stamatelos, who specializes in divorce litigation.
Cost is often a factor, since a contested divorce in which soon-to-part spouses are wrangling over child custody or financial matters can top $50,000.
Divorcers are teachers, bankers, accountants, musicians, construction workers or others who have little to no knowledge of the law. These days, AI tools are sufficiently advanced to handle the legal work for them and put together documents that courts will accept. Stamatelos said this has been greatly aided by the courts’ acceptance of pro se filings, actions taken by ordinary citizens as opposed to lawyers.
“The court has an online do-it-yourself format,” she explained. This is a marked departure from past practice, when judges traditionally held dim views on non-lawyers presenting lawyer-like arguments and briefs.
Stamatelos specializes in collaborative divorces, where both parties generally get along and split up on at least moderately amicable terms. Uncontested filings like these are best suited for the AI model, at the end of short and long marriages alike.
“It’s the wealthiest clients who are using it,” she said, because nobody wants to hire a lawyer.
Divorcers who go the pro se route can, and often do, get a second opinion on their pleadings by tapping into unbundled legal services. This option, known as “limited scope representation,” involves hiring an attorney for specific aspects of a legal matter rather than full-case representation. This allows clients to access legal assistance selectively, customizing the scope and cost to fit their needs. Boht The Law Shop in Van Meter and Unbundled Legal Services of Iowa in Clear Lake offer this option.
Stamatelos operates her own website, unhitchus.com, which offers a range of advice on how to proceed with a divorce on your own. It presents clients with a build-it-yourself kit. She said she uses AI to assist her with cases.
Divorce is rarely seen as a good experience. But with AI at your side, it could perhaps be a little less costly or difficult.
Turns out, AI can help with all kinds of legal matters
Artificially intelligent tools are rapidly transforming legal practice. Attorneys on both sides of criminal and civil cases increasingly leverage AI to enhance efficiency and outcomes.
When I asked ChatGPT for some general examples, it generated the following list, adding that it is both free and easy to use. (It did not mention that it may soon take over our lives.)
Key applications include:
Legal research and document review: AI-powered systems sift through vast case law databases and paperwork far faster than humans, automating routine research tasks and boosting productivity. This helps lawyers quickly find precedents and relevant evidence.
Evidence analysis: Machine learning can rapidly analyze large datasets, including police reports, witness statements and discovery documents. Within minutes, AI tools can identify patterns or inconsistencies that strengthen or weaken a case.
Case outcome prediction: Attorneys use AI-driven analytics to predict likely case outcomes or sentencing, helping inform legal strategy and settlement decisions.
Trial strategy assistance: Advanced AI can even act as a real-time assistant in court, flagging inconsistencies in testimony or pulling up relevant case law on the fly to support cross examinations.
Overall, AI adoption in law is improving efficiency and enabling more data-driven, strategic legal practice. These technologies help lawyers focus on higher-level strategy, potentially leading to better-informed arguments and case outcomes.
Show Comments (0)