If you wish to end your marriage, but find yourself in dispute with your spouse as to property division and parenting issues, your case may require court intervention.

Dissolution, sometimes referred to as a “no fault” divorce, may be appropriate if you and your spouse have reached a complete agreement as to how your marriage should be terminated before anything is filed with the Court.

Ohio Courts follow the equitable distribution model when dividing assets and debts during a divorce. An equitable division of property does not have to be equal, but it must be fair.

Shared parenting, commonly referred to as “joint custody,” can be defined as a parenting agreement in which both parents are designated the legal custodians and residential parents of the minor child(ren) and both equally share in the decision-making for the minor child(ren).

Sole custody is a parenting arrangement in which only one parent is designated the legal custodian and residential parent of the minor child(ren) because the other parent has been deemed unfit or incapable of assuming responsibility for his/her child(ren).

Spousal support refers to payments from one spouse to another during and/or after divorce. There is no specific formula for calculating the amount or duration of spousal support awards. The Court must use its discretion, taking into consideration the relative earning abilities of the parties, duration of the marriage, the standard of living of the parties established during the marriage, etc.

Post-Decree litigation occurs after final divorce, dissolution, and parenting agreements are adopted by the Court. Contact us if you believe that the terms of your divorce decree, judgment entry of dissolution, or parenting agreement require enforcement and/or modification.

In some cases it may be difficult to get your ex-spouse to comply with the terms of a Court Order. You can request that the Court force compliance by initiating a contempt proceeding.

Under Ohio law, a court can award companionship or visitation rights to a grandparent during or after a domestic relations proceeding if the grandparent has an interest in the child’s welfare and companionship or visitation is in the child’s best interest. A court can also award companionship or visitation rights to a grandparent if a parent is deceased or the child’s mother was unmarried when the child was born.

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders (“DVCPO”) are intended to help protect domestic violence victims and hold abusers accountable for their actions. You may be eligible for a DVCPO if a family or household member causes or threatens to cause imminent bodily harm to you or your child(ren).

A prenuptial agreement, also referred to as an “antenuptial agreement” is a contract between two individuals who plan to marry. These agreements are intended to resolve the division of assets and liabilities in the event of divorce.