Columbus Divorce Lawyers

Divorce and dissolutions filed in Franklin County are handled exclusively by the  Domestic Relations Division of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, located at 373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. If you have a scheduled Court date, be sure to leave yourself enough time to find parking and navigate Court security.

The Ohio Supreme Court provides standardized forms for divorce proceedings; however, most counties, including Franklin County, require county-specific forms that comply with their local rules and requirements. Ensure all forms are completed accurately and thoroughly to avoid delays. You should always check the local court rules directly for the most up-to-date requirements and information. 

• Divorce Complaint
• Affidavit of Property
• Income & Expenses
• Parenting Proceeding Affadavit
• Certificate of Assignment
• Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers
• Standard Mutual Restraining Order
• Domestic Relations Division Fees

The time it takes to get a divorce depends on how complicated it is and whether it’s contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce or dissolution usually takes three to six months to resolve. The Supreme Court of Ohio strongly encourages all divorce cases be resolved within 18 months of filing, but complex or highly contested cases may take longer.

The Court encourages negotiating and settling issues like custody and property during the divorce process. Agreements can be submitted at any time before the divorce is finalized. The Court will review the agreement before making the terms a Court Order to ensure fairness and, for custody issues, align with the best interest of the child.

If you and your spouse can’t agree on issues like property or custody, the Court will schedule hearings or a trial where both spouses will be able to present evidence and testimony regarding contested issues such as property and custody. The Magistrate or Judge will issue a decision based on the evidence and testimony presented. These decisions will become a part of the final Decree of Divorce.

Custody is determined based on the best interest of the child standard. Absent an agreement, the Court will consider these factors after hearing all evidence and testimony to determine what the custody arrangement will be. The Court may award one parent sole legal custody, which gives that parent exclusive decision-making authority over major choices for the child – typically, the other parent is granted parenting time. Ohio Courts favor shared parenting where feasible, which grants both parents legal custody, meaning they have equal decision-making authority and are expected to make choices for the child together. Read more about custody in Ohio here. 

Child support in Ohio is calculated based on a guideline support formula that considers three primary factors:

1. Each parent’s annual income before taxes
2. Out-of-pocket expenses related to private health insurance
3. Work-related childcare costs

Child support calculations do not changed based on the custody arrangement, meaning it is calculated the same way whether there is a sole custody or shared parenting order. If the parent ordered to pay support (known as the child support obligor) has between 90-146 overnights per year, they are typically entitled to a 10% reduction in child support. You can view the Ohio Guideline Child Support Calculator here.

Unlike child support, there is no precise formula for calculating spousal support in Ohio. When making a decision, a court considers multiple factors, including the length of the marriage, work history, and income differences between the parties. The court will determine:

• How much support, if any, should be awarded
• How long the support will last
• Whether the spousal support is modifiable
• How and when the support will end

Consulting with a Columbus divorce attorney can help you understand what to expect in your specific situation.

Ohio is an equitable division state, which means that property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. Property is categorized into two primary categories: marital property and separate property. Marital property generally includes anything accrued or acquired during the marriage, while separate property generally includes anything owned by either party before marriage, gifted to one party individually during the marriage, or property inherited by one party only during the marriage. To determine what is marital and what is separate, consult with a Columbus divorce attorney.

Generally, debts acquired during the marriage, whether by both spouses jointly or one spouse individually, is considered marital debt and subject to equitable division by the Court. Debts acquired by either party before the marriage is generally considered separate debt and remains the responsibility of that individual spouse. There are nuances under Ohio law regarding debt division during divorce, so it is advisable to consult with an Ohio divorce lawyer about your specific situation.

The process starts by scheduling a low-cost, $25 initial consultation to discuss your circumstances, needs, and goals with a Gavvl attorney. During this call we will help you determine what level of legal representation meets your needs and budget. The next step is paying for your services either in full directly, by funding your initial retainer, utilizing financing options, or enrolling in a no-credit-check payment plan, if available. You will then sign your agreement and get started with your Gavvl Columbus divorce attorney shortly after! We make the process fast, affordable, and convenient.

Our divorce attorneys serve clients throughout Central Ohio, including: