Divorce Dissolution

Effective & Affordable Representation

Divorce & Dissolution Attorney in Franklin County

Compassionate Divorce Lawyer Serving Columbus, Ohio

If you are considering divorce or are currently in the throes of this difficult legal battle, you deserve caring, affordable legal assistance. Our Columbus divorce attorney understands that getting a divorce is challenging to reach the decision to bring your marriage to an end—which is why we are here to guide you through the process.

Why Choose Our Ohio Divorce Firm?

  • Effective & Affordable Representation
  • Compassionate and Knowledgeable Counsel
  • Quick and Peaceful Solutions
  • 30-Minute Consultation to Discuss Your Case

Our compassionate Franklin County divorce lawyer understands how emotionally and physically taxing a divorce can be on everyone involved, which is why it is our goal to ensure your case is resolved as amicably as possible. Our experienced Columbus divorce attorney believes in building strong relationships with their clients, especially during their time of need.


Call (614) 426-8720 or contact us today to schedule a 30-minute consultation with an experienced Columbus divorce attorney.


Do You Have to Be Separated Before Divorce in Ohio?

In the state of Ohio, you do not have to be legally separated before filing for a divorce. Legal separation is an option to consider if you and your spouse want to temporarily separate before deciding on divorce, but not a requirement for divorce.

You must, however, provide legal grounds for divorce in Ohio. There are 11 recognized grounds for divorce, three of which involve being physically separated as a requirement:

  1. At least one year of willful absence 
  2. Imprisonment in a state or federal correctional institution 
  3. Both parties having lived separately for at least one year

Again, the spouses do not need to have filed for legal separation before divorce, but these grounds for divorce require physical separation as proof of grounds for divorce. 

With any questions on this, contact our experienced Columbus divorce attorney today. 

Types of Divorce Our Lawyer Handles

While you may feel alone during this stressful time, we are here for you. No matter how many questions or concerns you may have, it is our job to ensure you feel confident about your divorce case.

There are various types of divorce our experienced Franklin County divorce attorney handles include:

An uncontested divorce occurs when a couple agrees on a majority of divorce terms but still needs assistance from a judge to completely agree on the terms of their divorce. This type of divorce is often faster than contested divorces and is more affordable. A contested divorce occurs when one or both partners do not agree to the divorce terms, so the terms of the separation must be resolved before a judge or magistrate. This process can take anywhere between a year and 18 months.

To speak with an experienced Columbus divorce attorney, give us a call at (614) 426-8720 or contact us online today. 

What Is a Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage?

In the State of Ohio, a divorce and dissolution of marriage is considered a non-adversarial, no-fault process used to legally end a marriage. A divorce and dissolution of marriage is more affordable and faster than contested and uncontested divorces, but it is only ideal for those who can amicably reach an agreement on divorce issues.

Such matters include:

  • Division of property
  • Allocation of marital debt
  • Allocation of parental rights and responsibilities

A divorce and dissolution of marriage has the same legal effect as a divorce but avoids conflict and confrontation between the two divorcing individuals.

Filing Requirements & Procedure

If you are considering a divorce and dissolution of marriage, you or your spouse must be a resident of the State of Ohio for at least six months prior to filing the petition. However, before this petition is filed, you and your spouse must sign a separation agreement that allows for the division of all real and personal property and covers spousal support requirements, parental rights, and any other issues related to marriage.

The separation agreement must be attached to the petition, which needs to be signed by both parties and filed in a court within a county where one or both spouses reside. Once the petition is filed, a hearing date is established by the court. If the judge approves, a judgment will be entered, making the divorce and dissolution an official order of the court.

How Can You End a Marriage in Ohio?

The three most common ways to end a marriage in Ohio include: divorce, dissolution, and annulment. During a divorce, a judge will make a judgment that declares that the marriage is over if it finds that certain grounds for divorce existed. In dissolution, fault is not determined and both spouses must agree on the terms of their dissolution. An annulment recognizes a marriage as invalid and that the couple was never married.

How Do I File for Divorce in Ohio?

The first step to filing for divorce in Ohio is to ensure you have secured the counsel of an experienced divorce attorney. Once this has been done, you will need to complete your paperwork. 

Here are the additional steps you will need to take to file for divorce:

  • File a complaint for divorce, request for service, affidavit of income and expenses, an affidavit of property, and a parenting proceeding affidavit (if applicable)
  • If you choose dissolution, file your petition for the dissolution of marriage along with your financial disclosure affidavit, affidavit of property, and other paperwork as is required
  • Serve your spouse with copies of all the divorce documents (you can hire a service to do this)
  • The court will schedule a hearing between 30 and 90 days from the date of filing

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Ohio?

Ohio allows both fault-based and no-fault divorce. If you would like to file a no-fault divorce, you can cite incompatibility or that you and your spouse have been living apart for at least 1 year as your reason. If you are going to file for a fault-based divorce, you will do so on one of the following grounds: 

  • Adultery
  • Bigamy
  • Willful absence of at least 1 year
  • Gross neglect of duty (failing to financially support your spouse)
  • Extreme cruelty
  • Habitual drunkenness
  • Fraudulent contract
  • Imprisonment (if one spouse goes to prison)

If you would like to pursue a no-fault divorce and you and your spouse can agree on all matters pertaining to property division and child custody, you could choose dissolution of marriage.

Our Experienced Franklin County Divorce Lawyers Can Help

Do not wait until you are feeling completely overwhelmed by the divorce process to hire a Franklin County divorce lawyer. Contact my office today to schedule a 30-minute consultation. I am here to discuss your specific situation prior to determining the best plan of action.


Use the online form or call (614) 426-8720 to reach our office today for a 30-minute review of your case. Our Columbus divorce attorney can help. 


 

Effective and Affordable Representation
Divorce & Custody Lawyer