Mapping The Divorce And Dissolution Process
Ending a marriage can be complicated. If you are considering dissolution or divorce, you will be faced with a legal process you have never encountered before. Like most people, you probably have a lot of questions.
At Mowery Youell & Galeano, Ltd., we understand that answers to those questions can be very helpful, not only in terms of making decisions about how you want to move forward, but for taking the weight of the unknown off your shoulders. Below, we have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about divorce and dissolution in Ohio.
If you do not see your question answered below or would like more specific details about divorce and dissolution, please call us at 614-467-4923 to discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer.
Dissolution Process FAQ
- When does dissolution start?
- What needs to be included in the separation agreement?
- What about a parenting plan?
- Do we need to send any financial documents?
- How long until the final hearing is scheduled?
- What happens at the final dissolution hearing?
- Can my spouse and I both work with the same lawyer?
Divorce Process FAQ
- How is the divorce process started?
- What if I am concerned about my spouse abusing me or our children?
- What happens after I file my divorce papers?
- What is the difference between temporary orders and restraining orders?
- How quickly can we move through the divorce process?
- Where does my lawyer get the information he or she needs to represent me?
- What is the pretrial conference?
- Will we have to go to court?
Dissolution Of Marriage Process FAQ
A dissolution is a non-adversary proceeding where the parties voluntarily enter into an agreement resolving property division, custody, child support and spousal support issues. Compared to divorce, the dissolution process is fairly simple.
When does dissolution start?
A dissolution is commenced when the husband and wife file a petition for dissolution and a separation agreement with the domestic relations court in the county where they reside.
What needs to be included in the separation agreement?
The separation agreement must contain a division of all marital assets and debts; an agreement as to custody and parenting time; child support; and, spousal support, if applicable.
What about a parenting plan?
If the parties agree that shared parenting is in the best interests of their children, a shared parenting plan allocating parental rights and responsibilities, and setting forth child support must also be filed with the petition and separation agreement.
Do we need to send any financial documents?
Accompanying the petition and separation agreement, the parties must also file notarized financial affidavits fully disclosing the assets and liabilities of each party, a health insurance disclosure affidavit and, a custody affidavit if there are children born during the marriage.
How long until the final hearing is scheduled?
Once the petition for dissolution and its accompanying documents are filed, the final dissolution hearing will be scheduled within 30 to 90 days. The husband and wife must live separate and apart for at least 30 days immediately prior to this final hearing.
What happens at the final dissolution hearing?
At the final dissolution hearing, the judge will ask each party if the separation agreement (and shared parenting plan, if applicable) filed with the Petition for Dissolution conforms to their intent, fully discloses all marital assets and liabilities and, provides for the best interest of the children of the marriage.
The court will request that each party affirm that he/she wishes the court to dissolve the marriage under the terms set forth in the separation agreement. If either party states that the agreement is unsatisfactory, the judge will dismiss the petition and an action for divorce will then have to be initiated.
Can my spouse and I both work with the same lawyer?
Problems and ethical issues may arise where the same attorney acts as legal counsel for both parties in a dissolution. For this reason, Mowery Youell & Galeano, Ltd., represents only one party in a dissolution proceeding.
The other party may seek advice from his/her own legal counsel or he/she may choose to proceed without legal counsel. Should the other party elect to proceed without legal counsel, Mowery Youell & Galeano, Ltd., can meet with and negotiate with the unrepresented party.
Divorce Process FAQ
By contrast, a divorce action is an adversary proceeding initiated when the parties cannot agree upon the issues regarding the termination of their marriage. The court has broad discretionary powers to deal with matters that arise during the pendency of a divorce action. Initially, the court may restrain the parties from disposing of assets before a final settlement or a spouse considered violent might be ordered to vacate the family home.
How is the divorce process started?
A divorce is initiated by filing a complaint for divorce, motion for restraining order and financial, health and custody affidavits with the domestic relations court in the county in which you reside.
What if I am concerned about my spouse abusing me or our children?
The motion for restraining order is granted as a matter of course and will restrain the other party from, among other things, disposing of assets, incurring debt, harassing behavior, and permanently removing the minor children from the state.
What happens after I file my divorce papers?
Once filed with the court, the complaint for divorce and accompanying documents are served upon the adverse party, usually by process server. The adverse party has 28 days within which to file an answer or otherwise enter an appearance in the action.
What is the difference between temporary orders and restraining orders?
In addition to filing the complaint, restraining orders and affidavits, we may also file a motion requesting a hearing to obtain an interim or temporary order from court to allocate payment of debts and expenses, award spousal support, allocate custody and parenting time of the children and/or to order child support during the pendency of the divorce action.
These temporary orders are effective only until the court grants a divorce, after which the matters previously subject to the temporary orders will be governed by the terms of the divorce decree.
The motion for these temporary orders is scheduled for a nonoral hearing where each party submits affidavits supporting his/her arguments. The court then issues its temporary orders between 30 and 90 days after submission of the affidavits.
How quickly can we move through the divorce process?
If there are no children, your case may be docketed for a final divorce hearing 42 days after your spouse is served with a summons, complaint for divorce and accompanying paperwork. However, if your spouse files an answer contesting the divorce, your case will be scheduled for final hearing by the Assignment Commissioner’s Office approximately 6 to 9 months after the initial complaint was filed.
Where does my lawyer get the information he or she needs to represent me?
As your contested divorce proceeds, we will conduct discovery to obtain relevant information regarding the issues in your case. Discovery can include scheduling depositions; retaining experts for asset valuations, vocational assessments and psychological evaluations; and, serving requests for production of documents and interrogatories on the adverse party. All this is to prepare the case for trial, but a good job of preparation can also lead to a negotiated settlement, which is most often preferred to taking the case to trial.
What is the pretrial conference?
After an answer has been filed by the adverse party, the court will schedule your case for a pretrial conference. At the pretrial conference, the parties and their counsel appear before the judge and discuss the issues of the case, as well as the steps that are necessary in order to prepare the case for trial. During the pretrial conference, the judge may offer assistance to resolve outstanding issues.
Will we have to go to court?
Most divorce cases do resolve themselves by agreement; however, should the case proceed to trial, the trial itself will likely occur nine to 18 months after the date of the filing for the divorce. The timing of the trial will depend upon the county in which you file the complaint.
Contact An Attorney For Help Moving Through The Process
From our office in Dublin, we represent clients in divorce cases involving complex property division, child custody and support issues throughout the Columbus metro area and central Ohio.
If you have questions about what to expect throughout the divorce or dissolution process, email our attorneys or call us at 614-467-4923.