Ohio offers two ways to end a marriage: divorce or dissolution. While the end result is the same – the end of the marriage — the route to that goal is not the same.
Divorce begins with one party claiming ‘fault’ by the other party. Legally allowable grounds include, among other grounds, adultery, absence for a year and extreme cruelty. There must be a witness to support the claim. One party files the complaint and ‘divorce papers’ are served to the other party. There is a six-week ‘cooling off’ period. Temporary court orders may be issued on such matters as child custody and spousal support. The court may issue a restraining order if necessary. The parties must reach agreement on issues or the court will decide.
Dissolution is generally simpler and less expensive than divorce. No fault is alleged by either party and nothing is filed with the court until the couple has reached agreement on all issues. A dissolution petition is then filed with the court. A hearing will take place during which both parties will attest that they are satisfied with the agreement. The court will also need to approve this agreement.
Perduk, Hamey & Associates offers legal services to the residents of Stow and Wadsworth, Ohio and the surrounding region. The firm assists clients with their legal needs in the areas of family law, including divorce and child custody, personal injury and workers’ comp, business and real estate law, bankruptcy and driving violations. Anyone needing a divorce attorney in Kent Ohio should contact the experienced attorneys at this reputable firm.
David C. Perduk earned his Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1996 and has handled a varied caseload in the years since. He belongs to several professional associations, including the Ohio State Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. David enjoys time spent with his family.
Jennifer L. Hamey joined the firm with over fifteen years of comprehensive law experience. She graduated from the University of Akron with her J.D. in 2006. Her law practice focuses on cases involving workers’ comp, bankruptcy and probate. Jennifer is currently working on her PhD in Forensic Psychology.
