Experienced Cleveland Marriage Termination Lawyers
Deciding to end a marriage is never easy. It’s a challenging and emotional decision, and it doesn’t take much to feel overwhelmed by the legal steps involved. At Cavitch Familo & Durkin, we understand what you’re going through.
Our firm has been serving clients in Cuyahoga County and the surrounding Ohio communities since 1886. Our experienced family law lawyers can provide you with the support and legal guidance you need during this difficult time.
What Options Do I Have To Terminate My Marriage In Ohio?
In Ohio, there are several ways to legally end a marriage, each with its own requirements and implications. These options include:
- Divorce: Divorce is a legal process where one spouse files a complaint in court, and if the parties are unable to reach an agreement as to division of their marital estate, support and allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, the trier of fact, Magistrate or Judge makes the final decision. Grounds for divorce can include living separate and apart without cohabitation for over one year, adultery, reaching a status of incompatibility and other reasons set forth in Ohio law.
- Dissolution: This is a process that can be used when both spouses agree to end the marriage and have reached a written agreement that divides their marital estate, addresses all support issues and contains an allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. This process can be less expensive and adversarial and potentially quicker than a divorce.
- Annulment: This is a process that requests a Court to declare that the marriage was never valid. Grounds for annulment can include fraud, bigamy, or one spouse being underage. Annulments are less common and must be requested within a specific time frame. requirements.
An experienced family law attorney can help you understand which option is best for your situation and guide you through the process of terminating your marriage.
What Is The Process For Filing For A Divorce In Ohio?
The issues presented by every divorce case are different. But no matter what the issues are in your divorce, filing for a divorce in Ohio involves several steps. These steps include:
- Meeting the jurisdictional requirements: Must live in Ohio for 6 months prior to filing.
- Filing the complaint: One spouse (the plaintiff) files a complaint for divorce with the court, stating the grounds for divorce.
- Serving the complaint: The other spouse (the defendant) must be officially notified of the divorce filing.
- Response: The defendant has a set time to respond to the complaint.
- Temporary orders: Either party can request temporary orders for issues like child support or spousal support that will remain in place temporarily during the divorce process.
- Discovery: Both parties exchange information and documents related to assets, debts, and other relevant matters.
- Negotiation or mediation: Many cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation, where the parties reach an agreement.
- Trial: If no agreement is reached, the case goes to trial, and a judge makes the final decisions.
Compared to other separation options, divorce can be more time-consuming and contentious. In any scenario, choosing an experienced divorce lawyer who is diligent about communication and resolving your legal challenges in a cost-effective manner can make the process smoother and faster.
At Cavitch Familo & Durkin, our experienced family law attorneys are dedicated to protecting your interests, clearly communicating your options and guiding you through the process.
Consult A Cleveland Divorce Attorney
If you are considering an end to your marriage, our lawyers are available for confidential consultations. To schedule an appointment, call us at 216-621-7860 or send an inquiry through our website.