Law Office of Loretta Marie Helfrich
Attorney At Law
Mediator
3573 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
Telephone: 513-632-5317
Fax: 513-241-3332
Email: Loretta@LMH-LAW.com

Divorce In Ohio

Termination of a marriage in Ohio can be handled through an action for divorce or for dissolution. The divorce process is used when the parties are unable to reach an agreement on the terms and conditions of separating and ending the marriage. The divorce process is initiated by one party through the filing of a complaint for divorce along with a property statement, affidavit of income, and other required documents.  The filing will initiate temporary support orders if appropriate. The court will schedule reports and hearings as necessary. Ultimately the court will issue decisions on parenting and property issues if the parties can't agree.

Basic Steps for obtaining a Divorce

• Filing of a Complaint
  
  This is filed by either Husband or Wife. It must be accompanied by an affidavit of income and property statement as well as other court-required forms.
  
  If minor children are involved then affidavits are required regarding parenting, child support and temporary allocation of parental rights and responsibilities
  
  
• Service
  
  The court serves a copy of the complaint on your spouse usually by certified mail.
  
  
• Notice of Hearings
  
  The court will schedule its first hearing at the time of the filing of the complaint or shortly after the complaint has been served.
  
  Additional hearings will be scheduled as is necessary. These include: reports, scheduling conferences, hearing on motions, hearing on support issues, pretrials, custody trials, property trials, etc.
  
  
• The merits hearing is a very short 3-5 minute hearing. It is either done as part of the property trial or on its own. If both parties are not present, the party who is proceeding must have a witness.

Dissolution Of Marriage In Ohio

Ohio law provides for a simplified procedure for termination of marriage that is referred to as a dissolution. If the parties agree to all terms, they may jointly file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. A dissolution of marriage is a form of no fault termination of the marriage relationship where all issues including the division of marital property, spousal support, parental rights and responsibilities, and child support have been resolved by agreement of the parties.

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage must be signed by both parties and have attached a separation agreement providing for the division of property, spousal support, allocation of parental rights, visitation and custody, and child support. Both parties must appear before the court for one hearing. If the court is satisfied with the terms of the agreement, the court will grant the dissolution of marriage.

Basic steps for obtaining a Dissolution

• Filing of a Petition for Dissolution
  
  This must be accompanied by all county court required documents as well as a separation agreement and a shared parenting plan if applicable
  
  
• Merits Hearing
  
  One hearing is scheduled. This is a merits hearing. Both parties are required to be present. The hearing lasts 3-5 minutes. The parties must acknowledge their signatures on all agreements. They must affirm the agreements are fair and equitable and that all debts and assets have been disclosed.

The Law Office of Loretta Marie Helfrich represents families in divorce and dissolution proceedings throughout the Cincinnati metropolitan area, including Cincinnati, Batavia, Milford, Westchester, and other communities in the counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, and Warren. To learn more about family law in Ohio please contact us today.