Divorce can be procedurally and emotionally challenging. Preparing for yours before you file can facilitate a more efficient process and help you manage your feelings and emotions during and after the proceedings.
Some of the steps you can take to get ready for divorce include:
- Understanding what’s required to file,
- Getting everything organized before submitting your documents,
- Recognizing the effects this change may have on your mental well-being,
- Hiring a lawyer who can help navigate the complexities of your case.
If you need legal assistance for a family law matter in Dayton, please call L. Patrick Mulligan & Associates, LLC at (937) 685-7006 or submit an online contact form today.
Familiarize Yourself with Ohio’s Divorce Process
Getting a divorce in Ohio requires that you go through several stages. The first part of the process is determining your eligibility for filing. You must have been a resident of the state for at least 6 months before submitting your request and a resident of the county you’ll be filing in for at least 90 days. You do not have to be separated from your spouse for any specific amount of time. If you meet the residency requirements, you can get started on your divorce.
The next step in the process is preparing and submitting your petition. The petition is your official request to the court for a divorce.
In it, you must provide:
- Personal information for you, your spouse, and your children (if any),
- Whether you own any real estate,
- What property was acquired during the marriage,
- What debts you have, and
- What type of relief you’re seeking (for example, child custody, child support, spousal support, or equitable division of property).
You may also be required to complete various other forms, such as a financial disclosure or a health insurance statement.
After filing your documents, your spouse must be officially notified that the divorce process has begun. This is called “service,” and it must be completed before your case can proceed.
The court may schedule you for several hearings to resolve critical divorce-related issues. Once everything is settled, the court will finalize your divorce.
Get Organized
You’ll want to get several things in order before filing for a divorce. For instance, you’ll want to prepare a list of your expenses, assets, and debts. This information is necessary for completing your financial disclosure form and identifying what’s marital property and what’s separate.
You also want to be clear on what you’re seeking in the divorce. For example, are you going to request spousal support? What type of child custody order do you want?
Another important thing you must plan for is a possible change in your living and financial situation. You may be going from a two-salary household to one. Organizing your finances can help ensure that you are ready to cover your expenses and needs and develop a strategy to make up for deficiencies.
Process Your Emotions
Even if someone decides that a divorce is the best course of action for them and their family, it can still be a very emotional experience. Give yourself time to come to terms with it, and recognize that you may have good and rough days.
Identify people in your social circle you can trust talking things through with. Sometimes it’s good to have someone who will listen to your experiences and allow you to express yourself.
Plan for activities you can do to practice self-care and help you feel better after your divorce. For example, you can take up new hobbies or get back into something you stopped doing while married.
Consult with a Lawyer
Having legal counsel on your side throughout the divorce process is important. An attorney can help you understand the different stages and what you can expect at each. They can also assist in preparing your paperwork and ensuring everything is in order.
Most importantly, a lawyer can protect your best interests. They can discuss your rights and argue on your behalf to seek a fair resolution.
Contact L. Patrick Mulligan & Associates, LLC Today
Planning for your divorce can be stressful, and everything you must consider can add greater frustration to your situation. Our Dayton team can help at every stage in your case. We ensure that our clients know what’s entailed in the process. We are available to answer questions, address concerns, and help make informed and confident decisions.
To schedule a consultation, please contact us at (937) 685-7006.