Robert L. Mues, Author at Ohio Family Law Blog

Dissolution: Out with the Old, in with the New? Understanding the Ohio Dissolution Process

Is Your Marriage Over and are you Thinking about a Divorce? Important Information About Ohio Dissolution Proceedings

Understanding the Ohio Dissolution Process and Its Benefits

Do you and your spouse BOTH recognize that your marriage is emotionally and all but officially over? Have you been procrastinating moving forward with dissolution and terminating your marriage? If so, understanding the Ohio dissolution process is crucial. Not a pleasant decision, but sometimes a necessary one.

Ohio Law permits the filing of both divorce and dissolution actions. Before filing you really should know the basic differences. The primary distinction between divorce and dissolution is the amicable nature with fully agreed upon terms in a dissolution proceeding. In dissolution, both parties must agree to every aspect and term in the final agreement, down to the last penny and detail. Various pleadings are prepared and signed by both parties and submitted to the Court for approval.

To be clear, the FULL agreement must be negotiated and executed before filing. No Restraining Orders are available in an Ohio dissolution. The parties request in these papers that their marriage be terminated based upon there being “irreconcilable differences” between them. Ohio Law states that a hearing for dissolution must … Read More... “Dissolution: Out with the Old, in with the New? Understanding the Ohio Dissolution Process”

Did You Know? You Can Convert Divorce to Dissolution in Ohio!

How to Easily Convert Divorce to Dissolution in Ohio

It is a common misconception that the only way to end a marriage is through a divorce; however, Ohio allows dissolutions as well as divorce. You can easily convert divorce to dissolution in Ohio. A dissolution differs in that it is a mutual agreement agreed to by both spouses. The key to any dissolution is that both parties need to agree on EVERY issue before being able to terminate the marriage via a dissolution proceeding.

Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.08 allows spouses to convert a divorce to a dissolution at any point before the final judgment. It only requires the filing of a motion and no additional costs to convert a divorce into a dissolution. The motion will require an attached petition for dissolution signed by both parties that follows the rules of section 3105.63 of the Revised Code. Section 3105.63 mainly explains the requirements for a fully agreed-upon separation agreement.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF CONVERTING A DIVORCE TO A DISSOLUTION

There are many positive aspects of “uncoupling” folks in a marriage via a dissolution proceeding versus a divorce action. Some of the positives of a dissolution include:

All contested issues have

Uncoupling: A Modern Approach to a Simpler Divorce

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution Divorce?

For many people, divorce is a scary and unprecedented experience that will result in changes to nearly every aspect of one’s personal life. Thinking about the long legal process that accompanies a divorce only makes it feel more intimidating. However, this does not have to be the case. Through the utilization of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) divorce methods, couples can simplify their divorces and maintain a large amount of autonomy and control over not only the end of their marriage, as well as the start of the new chapter of their lives.

Using ADR avoids a lengthy legal process. Instead of putting your case in front of a court and allowing a judge to decide its outcome, you will instead get to agree to your own future through the help of a neutral third party, or “mediator.” This mediator is a neutral third party whose only goal is to elicit cooperation between spouses. Mediators help to maintain a calm and casual environment for you and your spouse to discuss the terms of your divorce, while facilitating open communication between both parties to reach common ground and ultimately unanimous agreements.

Benefits of Alternative Dispute

Did You Know: Why is a Financial Affidavit Necessary by Both Parties in an Ohio Dissolution?

Understanding Ohio Dissolution Financial Affidavit Requirements

Why Must a Financial Disclosure Affidavit Be Completed Before A Dissolution Can Go Forward?

Since 2007 we have posted a fair number of blogs about the differences between divorce and dissolutions and about the dissolution process. Here are some links to make it easy to find and to read them.

Key Steps in Meeting Ohio Dissolution Financial Affidavit Requirements

Recently, it seems that I have had a lot of new clients come in to the office wanting to discuss and proceed with a dissolution rather than a divorce. I was asked by a client the other day why her husband needed to complete a financial disclosure affidavit because she didn’t care what he had, she just wanted to terminate the marriage and for each to go their separate ways. Ohio Dissolution Financial Affidavit Requirements Serve as Springboard Towards Negotiation Process

Ohio Dissolution Financial Affidavit Requirements Serve as Springboard Towards Negotiation Process

New Year Resolutions for Those Going Through a Divorce…

New Year Resolutions for Divorce Recovery: Making a Resolution can help you focus after Divorce!

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites posts from back on January 15th, 2022! The advice rings as true now as it did then! Wishing you a stress free and wonderful 2025. We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool and enjoy a few oldie but goodies!

Resolve to Thrive: New Year Resolutions for Divorce Recovery

As we embrace the new year, changes are inevitable. Especially if you are going through a separation or divorce. For you this might be a time of loss and sadness. Also think of it as a time of the hope for a brighter, happier future. The key is in the mindset about how to act and think differently in the new year.

Typically, people make promises to exercise more, or eat a healthier way, or perhaps lose weight. Often these goals are made with good intentions and start off strong, but within a month or so are forgotten. For someone going through a divorce, focusing on meaningful New Year resolutions for divorce recovery … Read More... “New Year Resolutions for Those Going Through a Divorce…”

Ho! Ho! Ho! Holiday Ramblings from the Publisher. . .

Spreading Cheer and Embracing Change: Reflections and Resolutions for 2025

I hope each of you have had a most joyous holiday season!

This is an appropriate time to reflect upon memories of past Christmas celebrations and traditions. In our family, we were very involved with a Christmas project providing gifts for needy children for many years while our sons were growing up. As a family, we spent countless hours working at the Center. We have tried to instill upon our family the importance of sharing and helping others.

The Spirit of Giving: Lessons from Holiday Traditions and Collaborative Family Law in 2025

It is too easy this time of year to become consumed by all the shopping, decorating, numerous errands and superficial things. Focus can be lost on real matters of consequence, such as the meaning and importance of family. Regardless of one’s religious convictions, this is an excellent time to reflect upon our core values and aspire to do what we each can to make the lives of others around us better, even if it is in some small seemingly insignificant way.

Family issues are obviously important, both personally and professionally. Much of my professional life is spent with … Read More... “Ho! Ho! Ho! Holiday Ramblings from the Publisher. . .”

Blast From The Past: What Are Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting Arrangements?

parallel parenting co parenting shared parenting plan

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog about Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on September 11, 2021. We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool and enjoy a few oldie but goodies!!

Parenting Methods That May Work For You: Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting

Ohio Courts may designate 1 parent as the sole custodial parent or both as equal residential parents under a shared parenting plan. In a divorce, the statute that establishes that is R.C. § 3109.04. The best interests of the child always are the paramount consideration.

However, there are two other parenting methods in the non-legal world that are important to be aware of in order to be fully informed.

Co-Parenting:

This approach will work best for those parents who act and problem-solve together despite their differences and are no longer living with one another. Typically, these parents are operating under a shared parenting plan.

This approach involves putting the best interest of your child first often by making going between houses a low-stress situation, attending school functions and extra-curricular events with one another, and frequent, … Read More... “Blast From The Past: What Are Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting Arrangements?”

Page 1 of 73

1 2 3 … 73

« Previous