No two marriages are exactly alike, and neither are divorces. While dissolving a marriage is often a contentious process, you and your spouse may be able to cooperate and reach agreements between yourselves. Fortunately, Ohio law provides separate legal options to meet the demands of varying situations, including the ability to file for a dissolution of marriage instead of a divorce. While you should probably hire a divorce lawyer in either case, there are significant differences between the processes.

Filing for Divorce Vs. Dissolution of Marriage 

Divorce

A divorce is, essentially, an adversarial process, in which one spouse takes legal action against the other. In Ohio, couples can pursue a no-fault divorce, which does not require litigants to provide grounds for separation, but they still must submit demands regarding the division of property, child support arrangements, and other related issues. While couples may negotiate settlements with the help of skilled divorce lawyers, any unresolved problems will be decided by a judge, inserting a degree of uncertainty into the outcome. Still, this is the best option when your spouse is being uncooperative or using the process to express their anger and resentment.

Dissolution of Marriage

Unlike a divorce, a dissolution of marriage is an inherently cooperative process, in which you and your spouse file a joint petition requesting the court to dissolve your legal bonds. To pursue this, the parties must resolve all their issues in advance and submit their settlement plan along with their petition. Having a divorce lawyer guide you through negotiations will ensure your rights are protected and help de-escalate situations before they lead to conflict, promoting a faster outcome with less emotional friction for everyone involved.

The Michael A. Newland Law Office understands how emotionally difficult family law can be, especially when filing for divorce. For over 20 years, he has provided Hamilton, OH, residents with compassionate, effective service and helpful legal advice. Visit the website for an overview of the services available, follow the office on  Twitter for additional legal insight, or call (513) 887-9595 to explore your options with a skilled  lawyer today.