Dissolution

Columbus Dissolution Attorney

Family Law specialists with OVER 63 YEARS of experience.

Ending a marriage is rarely easy—emotionally, financially, or legally. Couples have many questions about how to go about the process and how to divide their property. Unwinding a marriage, even a short marriage, is fraught with difficulties.

Fortunately, Ohio has created the process of “dissolution of marriage,” which is a way to legally end a marriage in a non-adversarial manner. This means that the couple must be in complete agreement on key issues so that a judge does not need to decide them. If the couple can’t agree, however, then they will need to pursue a contested divorce.

At the Lawrence Law Office, we have helped people obtain dissolution so that they can quickly move on with their lives. Reach out to us today if this is something that interests you.

Benefits of Dissolution

Many people dread divorce court—and for good reason. Endless divorce cases that drag on for years, resulting in hurt feelings on each side, are not a myth. Instead, they are a reality for far too many couples in Columbus. These couples leave divorce often far more embittered than they were even in the final years of a failing marriage.

You can easily avoid this nightmare by reaching an agreement with your spouse about the key issues discussed above. Of course, some couples need help since they are no longer communicating as well as they could. If necessary, you should work with a mediator who can get each side to listen to the other so everyone finds common ground.

Because dissolution is fast, many clients can save significant money. This is beneficial, since it is harder to afford a household on one income, and any money saved can be put to use easing your family into the transition.

Alternative Dispute Resolution and Divorce Settlements

Arbitration

Arbitration is a method of alternative dispute resolution in which a third-party neutral decision-maker is employed by the couple to make a legally binding decision. The third-party neutral decision-maker, referred to as an arbitrator, can either be elected by the spouses or if they cannot come to an understanding, it can be chosen for them. Many couples seek out arbitrators with experience in arbitrating divorces similar to theirs, focusing on certain issues that are in the contest. The arbitrator hears both sides of the case, much like that presented in a traditional divorce proceeding, and makes a final, legally binding decision.

What is different about arbitration from traditional litigation is that it is private. All documents relating to the case are sealed, unlike documents submitted to a court during a proceeding. Additionally, arbitrations take place in a location of the couple’s choice, which can be beneficial for those spouses who are living separately, but either has a mutual location they both visit, such as offices, or for spouses who are separated and living in different states. Spouses also elect when the arbitration will occur, which is generally much quicker than a traditional proceeding and then also cuts down attorney’s fees.

The Federal Rules of Evidence are to be followed in all cases heard before a judge. With an arbitrator, the attorneys and arbitrator can discuss what they will submit for discovery and what procedures need to be followed, eliminating the strict rules. One downfall seen by some couples is that when the arbitrator makes a decision, it will be entered into court, and non-appealable, thus becoming legally binding. There are few exceptions for those cases in which the arbitrator clearly violated and abused their role by a showing of fraud, corruption or serious misconduct by the arbitrator.