Lakewood Divorce And Dissolution Attorneys
In Ohio, divorce and dissolution is overseen by a series of laws and a complex process. The unbinding of two lives that have been working in partnership to grow a marital estate is a legally challenging. It can also be emotionally draining and costly, unless you have legal help that can keep you in control.
At Lanter Legal, LLC, we’re Lakewood based divorce attorneys with 30 years of combined experience. Our clients come from all walks and have many kinds of Ohio family law problems, but what they don’t want is their divorce to be a long, stressful disruption. We listen to what our clients want and pursue amicable, lower conflict divorce so you can move on with your life.
The Divorce Process In Ohio
To get a divorce in Ohio, you must meet certain requirements and file specific forms. The residency requirement is the most important, and you must be a resident of Ohio for at least six months. From there, you will have to come to an agreement on the general basics of the marital estate, such as:
- Child support: If there are any children in the marriage, you must create a support plan that conforms to Ohio law.
- Parenting plan: If there are any children in the marriage, you must create an acceptable custody and parenting plan.
- Spousal support: In many divorces, spousal support or alimony is a part of the divorce discussion to provide support for the lower earning spouse either permanently or temporarily.
- Property division: All property acquired during the marriage will undergo an equitable division, which looks at many factors to decide how to split things, rather than making each share equal.
The bulk of the discussion between parties in a divorce proceeding is managing the above factors. However, once you’ve reached an agreement and file the paper work, you will then have to meet any other required statutory waiting periods.
Types Of Divorce In Ohio
There are three ways to end a marriage in Ohio, but they are not necessarily all types of divorce. The first is a legal separation, which will require you to meet many of the same requirements and deadlines as a divorce, with many of the same orders such as child support, spousal support or property division. However at the end of a separation, you are still married to the other person.
The next way to end a marriage is a more traditional divorce, which is a lawsuit in court to end a marriage. This is necessary for a contested divorce where the parties do not agree on any or all aspects of the marital estate. This is what most people think of when they think of divorce.
The final method is dissolution: Dissolution is the end of a marriage by petition. This is also informally called an uncontested divorce.
Get Our Help With Your Divorce
Every divorce method or choice comes with specific legal needs. Our Northeast Ohio family law office can guide you through what’s next with experience and confidence. Reach out to us today for a free consultation on your divorce. Call us at 216-273-4013 to get in touch.