In the state of Ohio, couples who want to end their marriage have three options: divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Divorce is the most common approach, which is why there are countless resources on the subject. A lot of people are unfamiliar with dissolving or annulling a marriage, though, and they may not necessarily know where to turn for help. Fortunately, the Don Roberts Law Offices in Dublin can help. Below, a seasoned divorce attorney on their team answers a few questions on the subject.

FAQ on Dissolutions & Annulments

What Is a Dissolution of Marriage?

If both parties can agree on terminating the marriage and on all the arrangements that doing so will require, they can pursue a dissolution of marriage. This is essentially Ohio’s version of “no-fault” divorce for couples who anticipate amicable proceedings. You can initiate a dissolution of marriage by filing the petition with a completed separation agreement. 

How Long Does It Take to Dissolve a Marriage?

The proceedings for dissolving a marriage are fairly simple because the couple has already agreed on everything. After completing the separation agreement and filing it with the petition for dissolution, the court will review the documents. If they approve the terms of the agreement, they will order you to attend a hearing. A divorce law attorney can prepare you for this proceeding, which should be relatively straightforward. Assuming everything goes well, the dissolution will be granted, and the separation agreement will become a court order. 

What Is an Annulment?

Instead of ending a marriage, an annulment decrees that it was never valid in the first place. If some defect existed when the couple entered into the marriage, one party can pursue an annulment with the help of a divorce attorney. Common grounds on which to seek an annulment include an underage spouse, bigamy, mental incompetence, fraud, force, and a failure to consummate the union. 

Is There a Deadline for Seeking an Annulment?

In the state of Ohio, individuals who want to annul their marriage based on one of the six allowable grounds must typically file the request within two years of getting married or of discovering the preexisting issue. Fortunately, most defects reveal themselves fairly early in a marriage, so parties have plenty of time to bring the request with the help of a divorce attorney. 

If you have additional questions about ending your marriage, turn to a family court attorney from the Don Roberts Law Offices in Dublin, OH. Their strategic lawyers will help you navigate the proceedings, regardless of which approach you pursue, and they can resolve any disputes that arise along the way. You can learn more about working with a divorce attorney on their team by visiting their website or by calling (614) 777-4500. 

_{Don Roberts Law Offices is based in Columbus, Ohio, but serves clients throughout the State of Ohio. Our office in Hilliard, Ohio is convenient to Dublin, New Jefferson, Bexley, Westerville, New Albany, Hilliard, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, and other Franklin County municipalities. Our office is located in central Ohio and is just a short drive to/from anywhere in Ohio.  Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only and should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.  See our profile at Avvo.com or Martindale.com.}