Manage Simple

How to cancel simple divorce and understand your rights in ireland

What simple divorce is and why you might want to cancel

Simple Divorce is an Ireland-based legal services provider that handles uncomplicated, uncontested divorce paperwork on a fixed-fee basis. Rather than paying solicitor hourly rates, you pay a single upfront fee to have the company manage your documentation, filing, and guidance through to finalisation. The service works well for couples with straightforward cases, no children, and no financial disputes. However, if your situation changes, becomes contested, or you discover you need specialist legal advice beyond what Simple offers, you may decide cancellation is the right choice.

Understanding simple's pricing model

Simple Divorce operates on a fixed-fee structure, not a recurring monthly subscription. You pay once, and the company delivers the service from start to finish. This means your cancellation decision depends on which stage you are at in the divorce process and what refund terms apply to your agreement.

When cancellation makes sense

You might cancel because your case has become contested and you need a solicitor's full legal representation. You might cancel because you and your spouse have reconciled. You might cancel because you discovered hidden complexity in your finances or child arrangements that the fixed-fee service cannot handle. Or you might cancel simply because you are unhappy with the service quality or communication. Whatever your reason, you have consumer rights in Ireland that protect you.

Your consumer rights under irish law

Irish consumer law gives you protection when you buy services, including divorce-related services, from a business. Understanding these rights is your foundation for a successful cancellation.

Consumer rights act 2022 and distance services

Ireland's Consumer Rights Act 2022 implements the Consumer Rights Directive and gives you a 14-day cooling-off period if you purchase a service at a distance (by phone, email, or online). During those 14 days, you can cancel without reason and receive a full refund minus any service actually delivered. If Simple Divorce has already begun work on your case, the company may charge a fee for that work, but the refund must cover any unused portion of the €699 fee.

After the 14-day window closes, you still have cancellation rights, but they depend on the terms of your service agreement. Simple's agreement should spell out when you can cancel, what happens to your fee, and whether any refund applies. If the agreement is silent or unclear, the Consumer Rights Act 2022 implies a right to cancel with reasonable notice.

Your right to a clear refund policy

The company must inform you of its cancellation and refund policy before you pay. If Simple has not done so, or if the policy is hidden in the small print, you have grounds to dispute a refund denial. Stopee advocates for consumers to always request the policy in writing before committing payment.

How to cancel simple divorce step by step

Cancellation works best when you follow a recorded, verifiable method. Stopee recommends registered post as the gold standard, but email with read-receipt is acceptable as a backup.

Method 1: registered post (recommended by stopee)

Registered post creates a dated, third-party record that proves you sent your cancellation notice and that it reached the company's address. This is the safest route and is admissible as evidence if a dispute arises later.

1. Write a clear cancellation letter on plain paper or your headed notepaper.
   • State your full name, address, and contact number.
   • State your Simple Divorce case reference number (if you have it).
   • Write: "I wish to cancel my Simple Divorce service and request a full refund of my payment."
   • State the date you wish the cancellation to take effect (ideally immediately or within 14 days if you are still in the cooling-off period).
   • Sign and date the letter.
2. Make a photocopy of your signed letter for your records.
3. Visit your local An Post office and request registered post (or registered post express) to the Simple Divorce address. Ask for the tracking number and keep your receipt.
4. The post office will give you a receipt showing the tracking number and delivery confirmation date.
5. Keep all documents: your letter, photocopy, post office receipt, and tracking number together in a safe place.
6. Check the tracking number on the An Post website within 5 to 7 working days to confirm delivery.

Method 2: email with read-receipt (secondary option)

If you cannot access registered post, send your cancellation request by email to info@simpledivorce.ie with a request for read-receipt. This creates a dated electronic record, though it is slightly less robust than registered post.

1. Compose an email with a clear subject line: "Cancellation request - [your full name]"
2. In the body, include:
   • Your full name and address.
   • Your Simple Divorce case or customer reference number.
   • A clear statement: "I wish to cancel my Simple Divorce service with immediate effect and request a full refund."
   • The date of your cancellation request.
3. Enable read-receipt in your email client before sending (ask your email provider if unsure how).
4. Send to info@simpledivorce.ie.
5. Save a copy of the sent email and the read-receipt confirmation to your computer and to a cloud backup.
6. If you do not receive a read-receipt within 2 working days, follow up with a registered post letter (Method 1).

What to avoid when cancelling

Warning: Do not rely on phone calls alone. Always follow up a phone conversation with written notice. The company has no obligation to honour a cancellation spoken over the phone without written confirmation.

Warning: Do not use vague language such as "I want to stop" or "Can you pause my service?" Be explicit: "I cancel my service and request a refund."

Timeline and what happens after you cancel

Once you send your cancellation notice, the company should acknowledge receipt and begin processing your request. Here is what to expect.

Processing timeline

Simple Divorce's description states that cancellation requests are processed promptly. In practice, you should receive a written acknowledgement within 5 working days. The company should confirm the cancellation date, explain what happens to your case files, and outline any refund due and when you will receive it.

Pro tip: If you do not hear back within 5 working days, send a follow-up email or letter marked "Re: Cancellation request dated [date] - awaiting confirmation."

Your case files and ongoing work

When you cancel, you have the right to request copies of any work Simple has completed so far: draft documents, correspondence, legal analysis, or filing drafts. The company cannot withhold these documents because you cancelled. Request them explicitly in your cancellation notice or in a follow-up letter, and expect delivery within 10 working days.

After cancellation takes effect

It is natural to feel relief mixed with uncertainty after you cancel a service-you are stepping back from a solution you invested in, and that can feel unsettling. Once your cancellation is confirmed, you will need to decide your next step: do you instruct a solicitor, attempt to process the divorce yourself, or explore other fixed-fee providers?

Stopee recommends that you do not delay. If you need legal representation, contact a solicitor's office for a free consultation. If you are pursuing the divorce independently, contact the Courts Service to obtain the current application forms and procedures.

Refunds and what you can expect to recover

Your refund depends on when you cancel and what work Simple has completed.

If you cancel within 14 days

You are protected by the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Rights Act 2022. If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, Simple may deduct a reasonable charge for any work actually delivered (such as initial consultations or document drafts), but you are entitled to a refund of the balance. The company cannot charge you a cancellation fee simply for changing your mind.

If you cancel after 14 days

After the cooling-off period ends, your refund depends on Simple's terms and conditions. Many fixed-fee services operate a sliding scale: the later you cancel, the smaller your refund. For example:

• If you cancel before work begins: full refund minus a small admin fee (typically 5 to 10 per cent).
• If you cancel after initial documents are drafted: partial refund based on completion percentage.
• If you cancel after filing has begun: little or no refund.

Pro tip: Request your refund policy statement in writing before paying Simple. If the company does not provide one, ask again after you have paid. A transparent company will send it immediately.

How refunds are processed

Simple should refund you to the same payment method you used to pay (usually debit card or bank transfer). Refunds typically take 5 to 10 working days from the date the company processes them. If you do not see a refund within 14 calendar days of your cancellation being confirmed, contact the company again in writing and request proof of the refund transaction (reference number or bank details).

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Cancelling a service is a simple process in theory, but small errors can delay your refund or allow the company to dispute your request. Here are the mistakes we see most often, and how to sidestep them.

Mistake 1: no written record

You call the company, speak to someone friendly, and believe the cancellation is done. Weeks later, you have heard nothing and received no refund. The company claims no record of your call. This is the most common trap. Always send written notice, ideally registered post.

Mistake 2: unclear language

You email saying "I'm unhappy with the service" or "I'd like to discuss my options." The company interprets this as a complaint, not a cancellation request, and offers a refund on a future service instead. Use the word "cancel" explicitly: "I cancel my service and request a full refund."

Mistake 3: missing your reference number

You do not include your Simple Divorce case or customer reference number in your cancellation letter. The company's records team cannot locate your account and ask you to resubmit with the reference. You lose time. Always include your reference number, or ask the company for it before sending your cancellation notice.

Mistake 4: no proof of payment

You cancel but have deleted your original order confirmation or payment email. When the company asks to verify your account, you cannot provide proof. Attach a copy of your original receipt or payment confirmation to your cancellation notice.

Mistake 5: accepting a "pause" instead of a cancellation

The company offers to pause or suspend your service while you "think it over." This is not a cancellation, and your refund rights may not apply once the cooling-off period passes. If you want to cancel, insist on cancellation, not a pause.

Escalation: what to do if simple refuses to refund

Most cancellations go smoothly. Sometimes, however, a company disputes your refund or ignores your request. Stopee recommends a clear escalation pathway.

Step 1: formal written demand

Send a letter by registered post titled "Formal demand for refund" to the Simple Divorce address. Restate your cancellation request, the date you sent it, and the refund amount you are owed. Give the company 14 days to respond and pay. Keep copies of all correspondence.

Step 2: complaint to the company

If the company ignores your demand, submit a formal written complaint through their complaints procedure (request this in writing if it is not on their website). Under Consumer Rights Act 2022, they must have a complaints mechanism and must respond within 30 days.

Step 3: escalation to the financial services and pensions ombudsman

If Simple is regulated by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), you can lodge a complaint with them if Simple refuses to respond or if you disagree with their answer. The FSPO is free and independent. Stopee recommends checking whether Simple is FSPO-registered before paying.

Step 4: small claims or small claims procedure

If your refund is less than €2,000, you can pursue the claim through the Small Claims Procedure at your local District Court. Stopee has seen consumers recover refunds of €500 to €700 through this route. You do not need a solicitor, and the process is straightforward.

Checklist: before, during and after your cancellation

Reviews and what other customers report

Simple Divorce has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating based on published customer testimonials, which emphasise speed, clarity, and straightforward handling of uncomplicated cases. Customers appreciate the transparent fixed-fee model and step-by-step guidance.

In the wider market of online legal services, however, customers sometimes report communication delays, surprise charges for extra services, or difficulty reaching support when issues arise. These patterns are not unique to Simple but are flags to watch for. By cancelling in writing using a recorded method, you avoid most of these friction points.

Pro tip: Check independent review platforms such as Trustpilot or Google Reviews before deciding to use any legal service. Look for patterns in negative reviews: are complaints about cancellation and refunds, or about the quality of the legal work itself? This tells you whether the issue is specific to cancellation or is a broader service problem.

Why stopee's approach to cancellation matters

Stopee exists to help you cancel services fairly and without fuss. Our core principle is that you own your decision: if you want to cancel, the company's job is to process that cancellation promptly and transparently. Too many companies rely on customers forgetting to follow up or giving up after one unanswered email. Stopee's step-by-step guides and checklists cut through that friction.

When you use registered post and keep clear records, you are not being paranoid or over-cautious-you are being professional. This is exactly how solicitors, accountants, and other professionals handle formal notices. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel services they no longer wanted, recover refunds they were owed, and move forward without guilt or hassle. You deserve the same clarity and support.

Contact details and mailing address

Use the following address when sending a registered post cancellation notice or formal complaint to Simple Divorce:

Simple Divorce
Unit G1, Terenure Enterprise Centre
17 Rathfarnham Road
Terenure
Dublin D6W X921
Ireland

Email: info@simpledivorce.ie
Phone: 01 437 8359 (for queries only; do not rely on phone for cancellation)

When you send a cancellation notice, address it "To the Cancellation Team" or "To the Compliance Officer" to ensure it reaches the right department. Stopee recommends always using registered post for formal notices; it costs a few euros extra but provides proof of delivery that protects you completely.