Divorce can involve far more than the legal process of ending a marriage. For couples with children, it can mean navigating financial arrangements, parenting responsibilities, property settlements and difficult decisions about life after separation.
A Cape Town startup, On Good Terms, is introducing a technology-driven approach that aims to make the process less adversarial, more accessible and potentially less expensive by bringing artificial intelligence (AI) and human legal expertise into one platform.
Founded by attorney and mediator Jen Paddock and technology entrepreneur Spiro Malamoglou, the business was developed following their own experiences of divorce and their belief that the traditional process could be approached differently.
The launch comes against the backdrop of rising divorce figures, as Statistics South Africa’s latest Marriages and Divorces, 2024 report recorded 24 202 completed divorce forms processed during the year, an 8.9% increase from 22 230 in 2023.
The figures also showed that 22 916 children under the age of 18 were affected by divorces granted in 2024.
The South African has also recently examined the practical steps involved after a divorce, including updating marital status with Home Affairs, highlighting how the process can extend beyond the issuing of a divorce order.
A business shaped by personal experiences
For Paddock, the idea emerged from the difference between understanding divorce professionally and experiencing it personally.
Despite her background in law and mediation, she found that face-to-face negotiations during her own divorce were difficult, particularly when both parties were trying to maintain a workable relationship for their children.
‘We were both determined to divorce respectfully so we could continue co-parenting our three children well. But negotiating face-to-face was unbelievably painful. At times, it felt like the very process that was supposed to help us reach agreement was damaging the relationship we were trying so hard to preserve. We got there in the end, but I walked away convinced that there had to be a better way,’ Paddock explained.
Malamoglou’s experience of a prolonged divorce also influenced the development of the business.
He said the intention was to reduce the additional strain that drawn-out legal proceedings can place on families, particularly where parents need to continue working together after their marriage ends.
‘Divorce is one of the hardest things a family can go through. There’s already so much loss, grief, uncertainty and upheaval. But when the process becomes drawn-out and adversarial, it can take over parents’ lives,’ he stated.
He added that the founders wanted to create an alternative that would help families reach agreements without unnecessary financial and personal strain.
‘We don’t love divorce. Quite the opposite,’ Malamoglou says.
‘But people are going to continue getting divorced, and we believe they deserve a better way through it. The process hasn’t kept up with what’s possible today, and we felt called to rethink it from the ground up.’
How the AI-powered divorce platform works
Rather than simply moving traditional legal paperwork online, On Good Terms says its platform is designed to guide couples through the different stages of separation, from understanding their legal position to preparing the documents needed to finalise a divorce.
Each spouse completes their information separately and can work through the process at their own pace. This includes details about their finances, children and personal circumstances.
The platform then brings the information together to identify areas where the couple already agrees and issues that still require discussion.
Its tools are intended to help users understand their marital property regime, potential financial claims and possible settlement arrangements. These include an accrual calculator and financial settlement modelling, allowing couples to explore different financial outcomes.
One of the platform’s central features is its approach to communication.
Instead of requiring couples to negotiate face-to-face or exchange emotionally charged correspondence, its AI-assisted system helps translate each person’s concerns, proposals and responses into more neutral language.
This is intended to give both parties an opportunity to express their positions and consider possible solutions without the immediate pressure of direct confrontation.
As agreements are reached, the platform helps prepare two important legal documents:
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Settlement Agreement: Records the financial and other arrangements agreed upon by the divorcing couple.
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Parenting Plan: Where children are involved, sets out agreed arrangements relating to their care and parenting responsibilities.
Once the documents have been finalised and signed, On Good Terms says it coordinates the remaining legal formalities, including Family Advocate endorsement where required, court documentation and the divorce hearing.
The process still involves the formal legal steps required to obtain a divorce order, as the technology is intended to assist with negotiations and administration rather than replace the court process.
One of the startup’s central selling points is its fixed-fee structure.
On Good Terms is offering its service for R27 000 per couple, providing a single stated price for its guided divorce process.
The founders say the model is intended to offer greater cost certainty at a time when couples may already be managing the financial implications of separating their households.
However, the service is designed around couples who are willing and able to work towards an agreement. Where significant disputes remain unresolved, the suitability of a guided, agreement-based process may be limited.
It is also important for prospective users to understand the scope of the service, including what is covered by the fixed fee and whether additional legal assistance may be needed in more complex circumstances.
The Cape Town-based business is currently operating in beta, with its official launch planned for mid-November 2026.
Its longer-term proposition centres on helping couples reach agreements while keeping the legal requirements of divorce in place.
People interested in the service can visit On Good Terms to join the waitlist or contact the company at [email protected].
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Picture: Supplied
