Divorce, Child Custody, and Support

Ending your marriage and helping you plan for the future in northeast Ohio

Whether you are initiating divorce proceedings or have been served with divorce papers, divorce can be one of the most emotional times of your life. Dividing assets and liabilities, making decisions about child custody, and facing new economic challenges all require clear thinking at a time when your thinking may be clouded.  You need the guidance of experienced legal counsel to advise you of your legal rights, entitlements, and responsibilities.  Our family law attorney, Jennifer L. Lawther, can help you get through this difficult life transition.

Dissolution

A dissolution is an action that terminates a marriage where the parties have a mutually agreed to do so.  The parties have to agree on property division, spousal support, and all issues with regard to child custody and child support.  For dissolution, the parties sign a contract called a separation agreement that states the terms that the parties present to the court for approval.

Divorce

A divorce is a civil lawsuit that terminates a marriage.  It is typically filed when the parties are not able to agree on property division, spousal support, and/or issues regarding minor children.  The plaintiff must have been a resident of Ohio for six months preceding the filing of the divorce.

The plaintiff must have grounds for the divorce as defined by Ohio statute—

• Bigamy
• Willful absence of your spouse for one year
• Adultery
• Extreme cruelty
• Fraudulent contract
• Any gross neglect of duty
• Habitual drunkenness
• Your spouse is in prison
• Your spouse got an out-of-state divorce that only terminated your spouse's obligations of the marriage
• You and your spouse have lived separate and apart for at least one year
• Incompatibility

Legal separation

A legal separation does not terminate a marriage.  The parties still have to divide property, determine spousal support, and deal with all issues regarding their minor children.  A legal separation is rarely filed in Ohio.

Post-decree issues

After the decree of divorce or dissolution, the parties are able to come back to the court for modification of custody, child support, and the tax dependency exemption.  The parties are typically able to go back to court to enforce all issues in the decree or separation agreement that one party may not be complying with.

Paternity

For parents who are not married, the court establishes paternity, computes child support, establishes parenting time for the non-custodial parent, and allocates the tax dependency exemption.

Call for a free initial consultation

To speak to attorney Jennifer L. Lawther about your divorce, child custody, support or other family law issues, call her toll-free at 1.855.GOT.HURT (1.855.468.4878).  Our law firm helps clients throughout the state of Ohio including the counties of—