614-241-2174When you get married, one of the last things you’re thinking about is the possibility of a divorce. While some marriages last forever, the reality is that not all of them do. In that case, you may end up turning to a divorce to resolve your marital problems.
Ohio has its own laws regarding divorce. You will have to meet certain requirements to go through a divorce and obtain one. Here are the steps you’ll need to take.
1. Gather information on your assets
Before you file for a divorce, it’s a good idea to gather information on your assets. You’ll want to have copies of bank accounts, photos of assets, and information such as credit reports and investment account documents. Gather these before discussing divorce with your spouse, since they can be harder to obtain following a separation.
2. Discuss divorce
Once you decide to file for a divorce, you should tell your spouse and serve the divorce papers.
3. Meet the divorce requirements
Next, you have to meet the divorce requirements. These include living in the state of Ohio for at least six months (either you or your spouse can meet this requirement). The court may order a conciliation period of up to 90 days before a divorce decree is finalized.
You’ll also have to have your separation agreement, custody arrangements and other requirements met before going to court for a finalization of your divorce. If you don’t, you’ll likely have to attend a hearing or trial and have the judge determine how to divide your assets or set up custody.
4. Choose your type of divorce
Most divorces are now no-fault divorces. However, if you have grounds for divorce, these could be important. They might include adultery, desertion, alcohol addiction, fraudulent contract or other serious offenses that occurred during the marriage.
If you choose a no-fault grounds for divorce, you’ll have to separate for a year before you can file for divorce. If there is a fault, you normally have the option of resolving the divorce immediately.
Keep in mind that Ohio’s laws are always changing, so your attorney can keep you updated on any new requirements or requirements that have changed recently. In most cases, people will want to work together to resolve their custody or property division concerns outside court with the help of their attorneys. Then, they can move forward quickly with the divorce.