People in Ohio who decide to divorce may face a number of unique and complicating factors. Every person's divorce is different, and the issues that can accompany the end of a marriage will be affected by whether a couple has children or how amicable the separation may be. In addition, financial issues can have a major effect on the divorce process. A divorce that involves dividing a business or other assets in a high net worth family may require the involvement of a number of professionals to help both parties arrive at a fair result.
The role of expert witnesses in a divorce
New tax laws will affect alimony in North Carolina
For decades, alimony payments have been tax deductible for the payor and taxable income for the payee. As of Jan. 1, 2019, however, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will change this. Alimony will no longer be considered tax deductible to the payor starting in the new year.
Pre-marriage cohabitation is no predictor of success
There was a time not so long ago when Ohio couples who lived together without the benefit of wedlock were subject to a certain stigma. Although some hold beliefs to the contrary, a strong majority of adults are now of the opinion that living together before marriage is a good idea, and most indicate they have done so themselves. However, recent studies reveal that individuals who cohabitate before getting married run a greater risk of divorce than those who live apart until after the wedding.
Financial status and the likelihood of divorce
Ohio couples may be interested to know that based on the results of a survey of more than 2,000 adults, the primary cause of relationship stress is money. Thirty-five percent of the respondents identified finances as the main cause of contention with their significant other.
Using prenups or postnups
Couples in Ohio who are planning on getting married may want to strongly consider completing a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement. These legal documents can be helpful with communicating about issues, such as finances, that couples may be reluctant to discuss openly and that could sometimes contribute to a divorce.
Going through a divorce without feeling like a loser
During a divorce, an Ohio couple may find themselves completely at odds when it comes to reaching a settlement. This can be especially true if the divorce is not amicable. Ultimately, most former couples walk away thinking that their ex-spouse "won," even though this generally is not the case.
Delayed marriage and student debt driving prenuptial agreements
Prenuptial agreements have become a much more common part of wedding planning in Ohio than they used to be. A survey of attorneys conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that over half of respondents had experienced an increase in requests for prenuptial agreements. The past 20 years have overseen a quintupling of prenuptial agreements, and younger people in the 18-to-34 age range are seeking contracts prior to marriage in increasing numbers. Their tendency to get married later in life than previous generations and student loan debt have created valid reasons for establishing the terms of a divorce should one occur.
Dispelling Ohio family law myths
There are a number of persistent myths about family law that the Ohio Bar Association has addressed in articles published for consumers and attorneys. One such legend is that if a spouse commits adultery, he or she is doomed to lose everything in a divorce. (Adultery might well lead to a divorce, but it is not the determining factor in disputes over child custody or the distribution of assets.)
