Divorce In Ohio – Your Complete Guide

divorce in ohio
Worthy Staff

By Worthy Staff | Jul 28th, 2019

Couples seeking divorce in Ohio will find that knowledge is your most valuable asset. The better informed you are, the easier it will be to navigate the ins and outs of the legal system with less risk of expensive, time-consuming errors. Divorce laws vary from state to state, making it very important to ensure familiarity with specific rules and regulations for divorcing in Ohio.

How Long Does A Ohio Divorce Take?

The amount of time required for Ohio divorce proceedings varies from one case to the next. It can take weeks or months to negotiate before a hearing can take place, and if issues are contested, court proceedings can drag on for longer than a year. The minimum time frame for an Ohio dissolution is 90 days from the date of filing.

Couples considering divorce or dissolution of marriage are encouraged to seek legal counsel, as mistakes can greatly increase the amount of time it takes for Ohio divorce to finalize. With a lawyer’s help, matters are handled as quickly as possible.

What Are The Residency Requirements For Ohio Divorce?

When seeking a dissolution in Ohio, at least one spouse must have resided in the state for six months before filing. Additionally, at least one spouse must be a resident of the county where the dissolution is filed for at least 90 days prior to the filing date.

When seeking divorce in Ohio, the spouse who is filing the complaint must be a resident of the state for six months before filing, and must be a resident of the county where the divorce is filed for at least 90 days prior to the date of filing.

The court may make exceptions to the residency requirements in cases that involve domestic violence. Authorities recommend obtaining a Civil Protection Order (CPO) when domestic violence is occurring. This should be obtained as quickly as possible to speed the process of filing, and police are able to provide additional assistance to parties who have CPOs.

What Are The Grounds for Divorce in Ohio

Ohio Grounds For Divorce Are:

When filing for divorce in Ohio, parties are generally required to present at least one witness to corroborate or support testimony concerning the grounds for divorce. A corroborating witness is someone who can testify to the court that they know you and that they have witnessed the actions, neglect, etc. that you are using as grounds for divorce.

Ohio Dissolution and Divorce Proceedings

Ohio is unique in that spouses can choose to have a divorce or a dissolution of marriage. Ohio also offers legal separation and annulment.

Ohio Dissolution Proceedings

An Ohio dissolution of marriage is similar to a mutual, uncontested divorce. In dissolution of marriage, both spouses agree that the marriage has come to an end. There is no need to prove grounds when filing for an amicable dissolution of marriage. The process of dissolution is fairly simple and straightforward:

  1. Both spouses sign a Form 16 (Separation Agreement) outlining disposition of property and debt, child support and child custody if applicable, and spousal support if applicable. Additional forms to complete before filing include:

      A hearing date will be set. The date will depend on court and personal scheduling, but the case must be heard within 90 days of the date of filing.Both spouses appear at the hearing, where the court determines that all assets, liabilities, spousal support issues, and child support issues are covered, and confirms that both parties are satisfied with the terms outlined in the settlement. If the court is satisfied, the judge will grant a dissolution, at which point the Separation Agreement becomes a court order. The dissolution is final at the time of signing.
      If either party disagrees with the Separation Agreement or decides that he or she no longer wishes to end the marriage, the court may not proceed with the dissolution. The other spouse then has the option of filing a motion requesting that the dissolution be converted to divorce.

      Ohio Divorce Proceedings

      As in other states, Ohio divorce is a civil proceeding that ends marriage. Where dissolution is the non-contested “no fault” version of divorce in this state, divorce may be considered a “fault” or “no fault” method of ending marriage. In order to file for divorce, either party must prove grounds, and the other party may file a counterclaim with grounds of his or her own. It is important to note that fault can impact issues surrounding the divorce including alimony, child custody and/or visitation, and the division of assets/debts. No fault divorce grounds include incompatibility and/or living apart for one year or more.

      To File For Divorce Without Children, The Plaintiff Should Take The Following Steps:

      The court will advise the Plaintiff of methods for serving the Defendant with divorce papers; usually, service by certified mail or personal service by a private process server or sheriff is recommended. In the event that the Defendant cannot be located, the court will allow alternative service. 
      When the Defendant has been served, he or she will need to take the following steps:

      The parties and/or their lawyers should then work to reach an agreement, after which a Form 16 (Separation Agreement) should be completed and presented to the court. 
      To finalize the divorce case after all hearings have been scheduled and taken place, the parties may need to provide a Form 11 (Judgement Entry). 
      Local courts may require additional documentation on a case by case basis. Parties should check with their local Court of Common Pleas to determine how best to move forward.
      To file for divorce with children, the Plaintiff should take the following steps:

      The court will advise the Plaintiff of methods for serving the Defendant with divorce papers; usually, personal service or service by certified mail is recommended. In the event that the Defendant cannot be located, the court will allow alternative service. 

      When the Defendant has been served, he or she will need to take the following steps:

      The parties and/or their lawyers should then work to reach an agreement, after which a Form 16 (Separation Agreement) should be completed and presented to the court. Additionally, the court requires a Form 17 (Shared Parenting Plan) or a Form 18 (Parenting Plan).

      To finalize the divorce case after all hearings have been scheduled and taken place, the parties may need to provide a Form 12 (Judgement Entry). 

      Local courts may require additional documentation on a case by case basis. Parties should check with their local Court of Common Pleas to determine how best to move forward. 
      In all Ohio divorces the court will take all testimony into account when deciding how to provide a divorce judgement. Some of the most common issues considered during the judgement phase include:

      Parties have the option of converting a divorce into a dissolution at any time prior to entry of the final divorce judgment. This is accomplished by filing a motion with the court and should contain a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

      Cost of Divorce In Ohio

      Ohio divorce costs vary from about $4,000 to $27,000. Using these figures, the average cost is a little over $12,000. If children are involved, the cost of divorce tends to be higher; additionally, property division and alimony issues can contribute to increased costs. The basic cost of filing for divorce in Ohio varies by county, with fees ranging from approximately $200 to $400. The court may charge additional fees for motions, appeals, parental investigation, and more. The cost of divorce or dissolution with children is typically higher than the price of divorce or dissolution without children.

      Ohio Divorce Rate

      According to the Ohio Department of Health, the divorce rate was 58.1 percent in 2011. This is the most recent Ohio divorce statistic available in 2018.

      Divorce Lawyers in Ohio

      Although you may opt to represent yourself for an amicable divorce with simple circumstances, Ohio lawyers offer insight and expertise in dealing with complicated matters and ensuring that each party receives his or her fair share of property. Here is a list of divorce lawyers in Ohio who can walk you through the process as smoothly as possible.

      Insights From Jumping In: Dating After Divorce in 2019

      In 2019, Worthy conducted a study on how divorce women approach divorce and dating in today’s world.

      Age of Today’s Divorced Woman
      Of the women we surveyed, 42% divorced between the ages of 35-44 and 28% between 45-54, indicating that midlife is the most common time for marriages to break up. Only 9% divorced after the age of 55 and the younger women, 34 and under, made up 22%.

      Divorce Proceedings in the 21st Century
      We asked our participants to share what legal processes they were familiar with for divorce. Litigation (53%) and mediation (48%) were at the top of the list but many were also familiar with alternative routes such as low-conflict collaborative divorce (25%). Services like working with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst are much less well-known (5%).

      Divorce Finances 101
      When it came to the big issues, the majority of women felt sufficiently informed to make decisions. This included issues like health insurance (60%) and the marital house (56%). However, when it came to issues outside of the immediate household, such as taxes, the participants felt less informed.Reusable Block

      Dating After Divorce
      Dating is at the forefront of many divorcees’ minds. 78% of the women have already started thinking about dating by the time the divorce papers are signed. 40% of women feel confident about dating after divorce, 68% feel excited and hopeful. 59% of divorced women meet dates on online dating websites or apps.

      Getting Divorced The Better Way

      Getting divorced in Ohio doesn’t have to be complicated and expensive anymore. Our friends at It’s Over Easy provide a smart and easy way to get an uncontested divorce online. Founded by celebrity divorce lawyer Laura A. Wasser, It’s Over Easy is the only online divorce solution that guides you through every aspect of your case.

      Watch: Laura Wasser on the TODAY Show

      “After practicing Family Law for over 20 years I came to realize that people deserve a better way to get divorced. I founded It’s Over Easy to give people a high-quality, less expensive & more amicable option. Our platform takes the user through the entire dissolution process. We provide information and support along the way through our content on our Insights Blog, the Divorce Sucks! Podcast and The Index, our curated professional and lifestyle resource guide. Divorce is difficult but the legal part shouldn’t have to be.” 
      –Laura A. Wasser

      When You’re Ready, Worthy Can Be A Part of Your Transition

      Financing divorce is an expensive proposition. So, too, is rebuilding your life post-divorce. Worthy has already helped thousands of women meet their financial goals by providing the safest and most effective means possible to sell their diamond jewelry at the highest price possible in the marketplace. Why let valuable assets like your diamond engagement ring sit idle when you can put the funds from its sale to work and create a brighter future for yourself? Worthy is here when you are ready, supporting you with vital information about divorce, including personal accounts from those who have survived and thrived afterward, and, of course, bringing you with the most trusted online auction platform in the industry. 

      Divorce process guide for main US states

      Legal Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice on any subject matter. Consult with an attorney for more information regarding your individual situation.

      Worthy Staff

      Worthy Staff


      The Worthy Blog is a place for inspiration, insight, and advice for all things surrounding life's greatest transitions - divorce, losing a loved one, retirement, and so much more. You can find us on our blog, Instagram, and Facebook.

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

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