How Long Does a Divorce Take in Ohio?

Divorce is undoubtedly one of the most difficult and emotionally draining events that anyone can go through. It is generally a lengthy legal process involving multiple steps, paperwork, and court proceedings. If you’re considering a divorce in Ohio, one of the most pressing questions you might have is how long it takes.

The duration of a divorce process in Ohio largely depends on several factors such as the complexity of the issues involved, the degree of conflict between the parties, and the speed at which the court handles your case. The average divorce in Ohio typically takes anywhere from six months to a year or even longer, depending on the circumstances.

Factors that Affect the Timeline for Divorce in Ohio

Some factors that may influence the timeline for a divorce in Ohio include:

• The county where you file
• The duration of the needed discovery process
• Mediation and negotiation sessions
• The nature of the case, such as whether there are children involved or significant assets, liabilities, and debts to divide.
• Whether there are any contested issues.

Divorce Timeline in Ohio

Here is a rough timeline you might expect during the divorce process in Ohio:

Filing for Divorce

The initial step in filing for divorce in Ohio is to gather the required documents, which include the petition, a summons, and a certificate of divorce. You must then file the forms with the court and pay the requisite fee. The court then serves your spouse with the summons and a copy of the petition.

Discovery Phase

Discovery is the procedure whereby the parties gather and exchange information relevant to the case. This phase can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the case and whether the parties agree to share information voluntarily.

Negotiations

If the parties can agree on the issues in their divorce, such as property division, child support and custody, the timeline will be shortened if the court approves their agreement. However, if the court finds that such agreement is not in the best interest of the children, the court may reject the terms.

Trial

If the parties cannot come to an agreement by negotiation, the case will proceed to trial. A trial typically lasts between one and three days, depending on the complexity of the issues involved and the number of witnesses that need to testify.

How Can You Speed Up Your Ohio Divorce?

While the complexity of your situation determines the length of the divorce process, there are some ways you can speed things up. Some of those ways may include:

• Conducting as much preparation as possible before filing
• Considering an alternative dispute resolution like divorce mediation which takes less time. It involves negotiating with a mediator who facilitates the communication between the parties
• Avoiding any unnecessary disputes and negotiate fully and frankly to reach an agreement on all issues involved
• Getting an experienced divorce lawyer with adequate skill-set and knowledge of Ohio’s family laws who can help you navigate the process quickly and efficiently.

The Conclusion

The timeframe of divorce in Ohio varies according to the complexity of issues, whether the parties are disputing issues, and whether the parties have come to an agreement. Although six months is the required minimum duration for divorce, it may take several months or even years. However, the services of a capable divorce attorney or mediator will help you mitigate your difficulties, time and costs involved.