Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Divorce Attorney
If you are contemplating dissolution in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio dissolution attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in preparing your dissolution case. Call Johnson Legal, LLC at (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your dissolution.
What is a Dissolution in Ohio?
The primary way to terminate a marriage in Ohio is through dissolution. Dissolution can be a convenient, affordable and effective solution for many couples desiring to end their marriage. Dissolution is simply a written agreement between the two spouses that contemplates all of the issues in the case. It is a contract called a separation agreement.
There are several reasons why you may wish to do a dissolution instead of divorce. Dissolution is a more affordable process than divorce because the parties agree to everything before filing anything with the court. A dissolution usually takes 30 – 90 days to be approved by the court after filing, whereas a divorce can take anywhere from 6 months to several years to complete. Finally, neither side has to admit they caused the divorce. It is a no-fault separation. The court will simply dissolve the marriage according to the terms of the separation agreement.
Dissolution vs. Divorce in Ohio
Ohio allows for two legal means of ending a marriage. In an action for divorce, fault must generally be assigned to one of the spouses in order to terminate the marriage. While certain no-fault divorces are permitted, particular requirements must be met.
Dissolution, however, is a no-fault separation. Neither party has to be assigned blame for the ending of the marriage. Moreover, dissolution are generally less expensive than divorces. The parties do not need to deal with court procedures or hearings that are required for a divorce.
However, for a dissolution to be successful, both parties must be willing to work together to come to a fair agreement regarding property division, child custody, child support, and other items that are divided upon the termination of a marriage.
Do I Need a Divorce Attorney for a Dissolution?
Typically, yes. The separation agreement can be very complicated. It must cover the same topics in a divorce, including property division, the creation of a shared parenting plan, and the assignment of child support. Moreover, many individuals believe they will be able to reach an agreement with their spouse. However, a dissolution is a stressful and life-altering circumstance that must be broached carefully. The advice and assistance of an experienced divorce attorney is imperative.
Ohio Dissolution Process
The dissolution process begins prior to the filing of a petition for dissolution with the court. The parties, generally through their attorneys, negotiate and agree to all of the required terms, such as division of marital assets, child custody, parenting time (visitation), child support and spousal support (alimony). Once the parties reach an agreement, a separation agreement is drafted which specifies all of the terms of the termination of the marriage, and requests the Court to accept these terms and make them a final order of the court.
Once the petition for dissolution is filed with the court, the court will typically rule on the separation agreement within 30 – 90 days. This is a much faster process than a divorce, which can take potentially years to complete and involve numerous hearings and a trial.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on every term of the separation, then a divorce is the appropriate way to end the marriage. Even if the parties attempt a dissolution and fail, a divorce can be filed. If a divorce is filed after the parties contemplated a dissolution, it is often possible to reach an amicable resolution without the expense of litigation.
Moreover, most spouses are able to agree on many issues, but simply cannot reach a resolution on others, such as child custody. By already speaking and negotiating with your spouse, even if a trial happens as part of the divorce, the issues will be greatly limited and the expense reduced.
Divorce Attorney – Columbus and Delaware, Ohio
If you are contemplating dissolution in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio dissolution attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in preparing your dissolution case. Call Johnson Legal, LLC at (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your dissolution.