WHAT IS A DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE IN OHIO?

When thinking of a marriage ending, the first thought that comes into your mind will probably be a divorce. In Ohio, though, there might be the option to file for a dissolution of marriage instead of a traditional divorce.

The idea of a dissolution of marriage might be the same as a divorce, but the key differentiator is a dissolution is always “non-adversarial” and does not involve fault. As such, both spouses will file for dissolution jointly, whereas in a divorce, one spouse files for divorce and gets the papers served to the other.

In a dissolution of marriage, you will still need to settle typical divorce concerns. Do you need alimony to make ends meet for a while after your marriage is dissolved? Be sure to include a clause that discusses it. What about the allocation of parental rights or the distribution of property? You have to touch upon these in your dissolution of marriage proposal as well so the court can approve or disapprove them upon your joint filing.

This is where things can become difficult and problematic, though. If you and your spouse agree to dissolve your marriage, everything can seem nice and in order — until you come across that one factor of divorce that causes a disagreement. For many couples with children, the biggest roadblock is what to do about child raising responsibilities. For others, the division of marital debt can be a huge issue that turns a dissolution rapidly into a divorce rife with contests.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DISSOLUTION AMICABLE

If you want to enjoy all the benefits of a dissolution of marriage, you will need to put in some active effort to keep it that way. Perhaps the best way to avoid the conflicts of divorce is retaining the services of a family law attorney as soon as possible. Using an experienced and compassionate family lawyer as your guide from the beginning, you and your spouse can collaborate on your jointly filed dissolution agreement with confidence. Any questions you might have of fairness or legality can be readily addressed by your attorney or attorneys. You will both also be prepared for any inquiries or challenges that could come up during your court hearing, which should be scheduled no later than 90 days after your joint petition is filed.

For trustworthy legal guidance in Columbus, Ohio, come to Weis Law Group. Attorney Amy Weis is a certified specialist in family relations law by the Ohio State Bar Association, which means she has proven her insight and abilities far beyond the average family law attorney in the state. To discover what her caliber of service can do for your dissolution of marriage case, contact our law firm by calling (614) 732-5566 today. We offer confidential case evaluations.