If you and your spouse are having difficulties and heading towards a potential split, it’s essential to know that a formal divorce is not the only option to end the union.
Ohio recognizes the dissolution of marriages, although they must occur in a specific way. Read on to learn more about how to go about dissolution and why it’s different from a traditional divorce.
Details About Dissolution in Ohio
Generally speaking, a dissolution can be thought of as a no-fault divorce.
The court does not require fault grounds, and if the parties can negotiate and come to an agreement on all separation terms, then the parties can petition for dissolution. (An experienced divorce attorney can help advocate for your side through this process.) A dissolution of marriage can help expedite things by bypassing the need for court involvement during negotiations.
Once the parties reach a separation agreement, that agreement can be filed with the court, and the court will schedule a short final hearing to officially terminate the marriage.
How is Dissolution of Marriage and Divorce Are Different
The primary difference between the two is a divorce involves contested litigation (i.e., a lawsuit) whereas a dissolution involves resolving all issues by agreement before ever going to court. Specifically, in a dissolution, the main issues (property division, support, children’s issues, etc.) are agreed upon before filing the dissolution with the court.
Normally, the dissolution process begins with us sitting down with you and creating a comprehensive settlement proposal tailored to fit your needs and then presenting it to your spouse. Once presented, your spouse can either agree to your proposal or begin negotiations. Regardless, once an agreement is reached, we file it with the court and there is a short hearing a few weeks later to officially terminate the marriage.
If you and your spouse are considering a split, it’s important to assess all available options and understand how a dissolution differs from a divorce. The Garretson & Holcomb, LLC team is experienced in these issues across Ohio and are leaders in Warren and Butler Counties. Call (513) 863-6600 to learn more about our firm’s experience in divorce and family law matters.
