How to Get a Divorce Without a Lawyer in Ohio

It’s never easy to end a marriage, but you might be surprised to find out how easy it is to apply for divorce. Residents of Ohio need to take several simple steps to complete the divorce process. It involves getting the documents and filing them with a country clerk. The court usually needs some time to finalize the divorce, especially when a couple isn’t in agreement on something. Still, filing for divorce is a fast and straightforward process that you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

Do I Need A Divorce Lawyer in Ohio?

Getting a divorce online is a suitable solution for couples who want to have everything done as fast and hassle-free as possible. Ohio has its own set of rules and requirements, but our online system will make sure that you get exactly what you need for a divorce over the internet – customized forms ready for filing.

As a couple, you will first have to agree on the terms of your divorce. After that, you can end your marriage without an attorney. There is no need to spend money on a lawyer and get involved in a long drawn-out process if your divorce is uncontested. Online divorce is a more affordable and faster option.

The Difference between a Petitioner and a Responder

The petitioner files the divorce petition, thus this is the person who pays the initial filing fees. However, you can agree to share the cost of divorce. If the petitioner has chosen a fault-based divorce, he or she can ask the respondent to pay for everything.

The petitioner may want a divorce, but the respondent disagrees and demands a cost hearing. During the hearing, the respondent will explain why he or she doesn’t want to pay the fee. The judge will analyze the financial situation of both spouses and decide how much each person should pay.

What are the Main Steps of an Online Divorce?

The dissolution of marriage starts with preparing the documents. When you use our Online Ohio Divorce assistance service, you will be asked to answer a few questions about details of your case to help us prepare the paperwork. Once it’s done, you can submit the divorce papers to the court.

You and your spouse should agree on everything prior to ending your marriage. This could include spousal support, property division, parental rights, and payment of debts. Once you agree on everything, you can start your do-it-yourself divorce.

After the papers are submitted, the court will schedule a hearing. In Ohio, the waiting period can be from 30 to 90 days. During this time, you and your spouse should testify that both of you are satisfied with the agreement. You will have to prove the grounds for divorce and make full disclosure of your assets and liabilities. Finally, you will confirm with the court that this is an uncontested divorce.

Once the court gets all the information it needs, it will grant you your marriage dissolution, and you and your spouse will officially be separated by law.

What are the grounds for divorce?

Grounds for divorce are reasons for ending the marriage. In Ohio, there are no-fault grounds and fault-based grounds for divorce. For a DIY divorce, you need to state in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage that you and your spouse have signed a separation agreement.

The cost of a divorce depends on your situation. The most inexpensive divorce is a no-fault dissolution. To qualify for it, you and your spouse should reach an agreement on everything including the incompatibility of your marriage or live separately for at least one year.

The fault-based grounds include the willful absence of a spouse for a year or longer, bigamy, adultery, cruelty, neglect of duty, and so on. They add complexity to the divorce process and require proof, but you can still get your documents online, keeping your divorce affordable.

If you and your spouse want a web divorce and both of you can agree on all the issues, Online Ohio Divorce assistance service is the solution to your problems. This is a quick way to get your documents prepared and make the process much less painful. You will also have the peace of mind of knowing that everything is being done according to legal requirements.

How To Prove Your Residency In Ohio

Just like all other states in the US, Ohio has specific residency requirements for couples that need a divorce. To file for divorce in Ohio, you must have been a resident of the state for at least 6 months before filing. Additionally, you must have lived in the county where the case will be filed for at least 90 days. However, if you are a member of the armed forces and a resident of Ohio, you can get a divorce, even if you are stationed outside of the state.

There are several simple ways to prove your residency in Ohio. For starters, you or your spouse can submit your in-date Ohio ID card, driver’s license, or voter’s registration card. If you don’t have these documents, you can ask someone who knows that you’ve lived in Ohio to testify for you. You can also sign an Affidavit of Corroborating Witness form to prove your residency.

Child Custody In Ohio

Child custody is a separate proceeding from the divorce. You and your spouse should agree on a schedule that works best for you and your children. If you can’t reach an agreement, the court will establish a schedule considering factors, such as:

  • whether one parent has denied visitation;
  • the physical and mental state of all involved individuals;
  • whether one parent wants to live out of Ohio;
  • whether one parent hasn’t paid child support;
  • the relationship between family members;
  • and the ability of the parents to agree on matters related to their children.

Child Support in Ohio

Ohio has established guidelines for calculating child support. It takes into account both the parent’s gross income and certain child-related expenses. Either parent can pay child support and payments will continue until the child reaches the age of 18, but can be extended until they complete secondary school.

Several factors can be considered when determining child support including:

  • any special needs of the child;
  • the extend of parenting time;
  • the disparity in income between the two spouses;
  • other court-ordered payments;
  • the separate financial resources and needs of each parent;
  • physical, emotional, and educational needs of the child;
  • and any other relevant factors.

Spousal Support In Ohio

Spousal support, or alimony, can be ordered by the court to help an ex-spouse to continue living a similar life to what was established during the marriage. The court can award short-term or permanent alimony to either spouse to be paid in monthly or yearly installments.

Property Division In Ohio

Ohio is an equitable distribution state. As such, property division will be performed fairly, which doesn’t necessarily mean equally.

Only marital property is divided. This is property obtained by either spouse during the marriage. Separate property stays with the original owner. This includes property owned by just one spouse before the marriage as well as gifts or inheritances given to just one of the spouses at any time.

A quick and affordable way to finalize your marriage is to use online services. Preparing the papers online is quickly gaining popularity because it’s easy and inexpensive. Contact us now to help you get through the divorce stress-free.