Divorce | Divorce Attorney | Columbus, OH

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Divorce

Divorce Attorney in Columbus, OH

Are you considering a divorce? Avoid the long and painful process of going through a divorce alone by hiring a divorce attorney in Columbus, OH. We at Sheppard Law Offices have years of experience helping couples end their marriage and move on with their lives. Visit our office today for your free consultation. Remember, you don’t have to be in this alone.

Why do I need a Divorce Attorney in Columbus, OH?

Divorce Attorney Columbus OHAn Ohio Divorce can be a painful and stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Hiring a Columbus divorce attorney can ease some of the burdens while you work toward a fair, amicable resolution if you’re facing the end of your marriage. 

Divorce is one of the most challenging things anyone will ever go through, but it’s made immeasurably more difficult if you’re over your head. That’s why it’s crucial to get a good divorce attorney who can provide guidance and help you understand the process.

In addition to hiring a qualified and informed attorney, you should hire someone with whom you feel comfortable. Divorce is typically a highly emotional procedure that involves legal and interpersonal skills.

To give you a better idea of your options, here are some of the qualities you should look for in a divorce lawyer:

An attorney who will represent your best interests

Divorce is never a fun subject to talk about, but when your marriage has ended, it’s something that you need to confront. The Sheppard Law Offices are here to help you through this challenging time.

Our attorneys have over 20 years of Ohio family law experience and will ensure that you have the best representation possible. You’ll have an aggressive attorney who will protect your interests and ensure that you’re treated fairly.

When you’re going through a divorce, you’ll want an attorney who knows the ins and outs of family law. Contact the Sheppard Law Offices now and get the legal assistance you deserve.

Personal service and care

When hiring Sheppard Law Offices as your divorce attorney in Columbus, OH, you hire a team that will get your desired results. We will make sure you understand the process and what to expect at every step of the way during your divorce. We will take care of things for you so you can focus on moving forward with your life.

Divorce is never easy, but Sheppard Law Offices makes it a little easier.

An attorney with a good reputation and a winning record

You need someone you can trust to ensure everything is handled correctly, and that person should be a divorce attorney in Columbus, OH, who has a good reputation for getting things done.

Sheppard Law Offices has experience helping clients with all kinds of divorces, including those where there are substantial assets or child custody issues involved. With a winning record and decades of experience, they have an excellent chance of ensuring you get the best possible outcome out of this challenging time in your life.

An attorney who is responsive, simple to contact, and flexible

Columbus, Ohio, has ample options for an attorney to help you with your divorce, but one of the most important things to remember is that not all attorneys are the same. You want a lawyer who will be responsive when you need them, simple to contact, and flexible about how you work together. The experienced attorneys at Sheppard Law Offices provide these services and much more. 

We know you’re going through a difficult time, so we’re here to guide you and fight for your rights. We’re here to answer your questions and address your concerns, no matter what they are. We’ll do everything it takes to ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the best possible outcome in your divorce case.

What Is Divorce?

Divorce is the legal end of a marriage. The divorce procedure encompasses many problems, such as property division and child custody.

In some cases, it may make sense to divorce without hiring a family law attorney if neither side is represented and no minor children are involved. However, a divorce can be resolved in your favor with the help of a divorce lawyer. If your estranged spouse has a Columbus divorce attorney, you should get one, as you should expect someone who knows how to get what you want.

Call Sheppard Law Offices today for more information on divorce

What are the Divorce Grounds in Ohio?

Ohio state law distinguishes between “divorce” and “dissolution of marriage” in its proceedings. In every other state, dissolution is synonymous with divorce. You must file for divorce if you and your spouse cannot agree on all divorce-related matters, such as property distribution and child custody. 

Ohio recognizes these grounds for divorce:

  • Bigamy: At the time of the marriage, either spouse had a surviving husband or wife;
  • Abandonment: One spouse has left the other without the latter’s consent;
  • Adultery: One spouse had been intimate with another person;
  • Extreme cruelty: Treatment that makes it unsafe for the spouses to live together;
  • Fraudulent contract: A spouse lied, hid information, or committed a similar act to get the other spouse to marry;
  • Gross neglect of duty: Severe neglect of the marital duties of mutual respect, fidelity, and support;
  • Habitual drunkenness: When one spouse is regularly intoxicated, that is a valid ground for divorce;
  • Imprisonment: The non-filing spouse is confined in a state or federal correctional facility when the divorce petition is filed;
  • Procurement: The filing spouse divorced the other spouse in a different state;
  • Separate Living Without Cohabitation: The couple has lived apart for a year without cohabitation; and
  • Incompatibility: You and your spouse have conflicts that make it impossible to stay married.

If you want to know if you have a valid ground for divorce, call us for legal advice!

What to Expect During a Divorce in Ohio

Ohio has no waiting period between filing for divorce and the court beginning to process it. Whether you seek a divorceor dissolution, you will likely have at least one court hearing. The court may also schedule hearings for any motions (requests) you or your partner file throughout a divorce.

Ohio Property Division

Ohio is an equitable distribution state, meaning the court will distribute marital assets and liabilities equitably but not equally.

The judge will first establish whether a property is marital or separate. Judges presume that all property gained by either spouse during the marriage is marital property; hence it is the responsibility of the spouses to establish otherwise.

Next, the judge will “equitably” divide the marital property by evaluating:

  • How long the marriage has lasted;
  • Properties and liabilities of the couple;
  • Whether the family house should be given to the custodial parent;
  • The marketability of the asset;
  • The economic value of maintaining an asset intact;
  • The tax effects of the divorce for both couples;
  • The expenses of sale if an asset must be sold to be distributed;
  • Any divorce settlement addressing property division;
  • Retirement benefits; and
  • Any additional factor that the court expressly deems relevant and equitable.

It’s difficult to lose the assets you’ve worked so hard for. Hire our family law attorney so you can protect your assets in a divorce!

Spousal Alimony

A judge in Ohio may award “reasonable” spousal support to a requesting spouse. The form, duration, and amount of spousal support awards in Ohio are subject to extensive judicial discretion. When determining whether spousal support is appropriate, Ohio judges will examine the following factors:

  • Each spouse’s earnings;
  • Each partner’s earning capacity;
  • Age ;
  • Physical, mental, and psychological health of each spouse;
  • The parties’ pension provisions;
  • Duration of the marriage;
  • Whether it would be inappropriate for one of the spouses to find employment because of childcare;
  • The standard of living of the parties during their marriage;
  • Each spouse’s educational level;
  • The couple’s assets and liabilities;
  • Whether one spouse contributed to the other’s education, training, or earning capacity;
  • The effort and cost required for the spouse requesting help to get;
  • The education required to become self-sufficient;
  • The tax effects of a spousal support award for each party;
  • Whether the marriage rendered one of the parties incapable of earning a living; and
  • Other factors the court expressly deems relevant and equitable.

Alimony is important so you can continue life as usual after divorce. Call our Ohio divorce lawyer today to see how we can help you!

Child Custody

Child custody in Ohio is referred to as parental rights and responsibilities. After a divorce, Ohio courts begin with the presumption that regular and continuing contact with both parents is optimal for the child. However, the judge will determine custody based on what is in the best interests of the child. Ohio judges may consider the child’s desires while determining custody.

Most of the time, the parent who resides with the child is the “residential parent.” If the parents share equal time with the child (“shared parenting”), the court may designate one of the parents’ homes as the child’s primary residence.

The court may mandate mediation when parents cannot agree on allocating child custody. Ohio courts also have the power to require parents to take parenting classes or get counseling before issuing an order allocating parental rights and responsibilities.

Child support

After a divorce, both parents must financially support their children in Ohio. The courts of Ohio apply the state’s child support guidelines to determine the amount of support a parent is required to pay. Child support payments are unaffected by the parent’s actions during their marriage. 

To safeguard the child’s best interests, the court may deviate from the state’s child support standards if they determine that the amount of child support computed under the state’s rules would be unreasonable or improper. A judge may consider several criteria, including:

  • Unique needs of the child;
  • Financial resources and earning potential of the child;
  • Which parent pays for schools, lessons, sports equipment, or clothing;
  • Unusual work-related costs paid by either parent; and
  • The standard of living the child would have had if the marriage had continued.

It’s important to ensure the wellbeing of your children. Call our Columbus law office today for legal assistance!

Divorce, Annulment, and Legal Separation

divorce and annulment

In this video, divorce attorney Sheppard explains the difference between divorce and annulment. He simplifies the grounds for annulment. Watch the video to learn the difference between divorce and annulment to make sure you are filing for the right thing.

Divorce and Legal Separation

In the other video, divorce attorney Sheppard explains the difference between divorce and legal separation. He also discussed the similarities of court order when it comes to child support for both divorce and legal seperation.

Call our Divorce Attorney in Columbus, OH, Now!

Ohio Divorce cases can be an emotionally draining process to get through. Before the case starts, you must find the best divorce attorney Columbus OH has available. Hiring the wrong family lawyer could cost you more time and money in the long run. Make sure you have the right one for your personal situation. Sheppard Law Office has years of experience with these cases and can help you win your case. No matter your circumstances, visit us immediately to take advantage of a consultation with a Columbus divorce lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Contact Sheppard Law Offices and Attorney Kenneth L. Sheppard, Jr. to schedule your free initial consultation.
Sheppard Law Offices

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