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Ohio Divorce Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Civil Litigation and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Ex violating divorce decree by withholding bonus payment.

My daughter's ex in Ohio, Jefferson County, is violating the terms of their divorce decree by not paying her $3,000 from his work bonus, which he received on March 31, 2025, as stipulated in the decree. He claims there is no specific time frame for payment and promised to pay by the end of... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 9, 2025

Thirty days from receipt of payment is pretty standard. Is he in violation of the decree? Probably. Should you take legal action until after April? Probably not. Once that timeline has passed if he still hasn't paid then your daughter should consider filing a motion to show cause.

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce, Family Law and Domestic Violence for Ohio on
Q: How can I present my custody situation in court after my separated husband prevented me from picking up our son?

I have been separated from my husband for about three years, and we have no legal custody agreements. We agreed that our son, who is almost four years old, would spend the holidays with his father, and I would pick him up in the first week of January. When I tried to pick him up, my husband... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 2, 2025

It sounds like you really need to hire a domestic relations attorney i the city where your husband filed for divorce. While you have a right to represent yourself, I do not recommend it. This forum is for answering general questions. No attorney can teach you within a single answer each rule of... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Tax Law for Ohio on
Q: How can I ask for more alimony in Ohio after my divorce without incurring high legal fees?

I finalized my divorce two years ago, and part of the agreement involved exchanging taxes every two years. My ex-spouse, who now earns significantly more than when our agreement was based on an $80k salary, suggested increasing my alimony by $100 cash monthly and offering his Travel points for... View More

Kenneth L. Sheppard Jr.
Kenneth L. Sheppard Jr.
answered on Mar 27, 2025

If you are not looking to incur legal fees, then you would need to seek out whether you can file a motion to modify the Decree. You would need to read the Ohio Revised Code Section for Spousal Support and see if you can file a motion to modify. Depending on the county you live in you should also... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Tax Law for Ohio on
Q: How can I ask for more alimony in Ohio after my divorce without incurring high legal fees?

I finalized my divorce two years ago, and part of the agreement involved exchanging taxes every two years. My ex-spouse, who now earns significantly more than when our agreement was based on an $80k salary, suggested increasing my alimony by $100 cash monthly and offering his Travel points for... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 28, 2025

If your separation agreement did not reserve the Court's jurisdiction to modify spousal support you cannot do so now. You should speak to your divorce lawyer and review the divorce agreement/decree and see whether jurisdiction to modify was reserved. If so you may file the motion to modify... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Civil Litigation, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Can dissolution paperwork be amended for proceeds of house sale since ex failed refinance requirement?

In my dissolution, my ex-husband was required to refinance the mortgage to remove my name within two years. He has not done this, and although he attempted to refinance in September 2024, he was laid off again and the mortgage remains in my name. There was a 'late' payment reported to my... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Mar 26, 2025

Yes, but you may not need to do that. So long as you are satisfied with receiving your percentage of equity from the sale from the title company, then all is well.

If you really want to force the refinance, you can always file a motion to show cause. But, if he's not making enough to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Contracts and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Is my handwritten note binding in an Ohio divorce?

I signed a handwritten note detailing some terms for property separation, child support, and 401k division, intending it for a dissolution. The note was not signed by my spouse, nor was it notarized or witnessed. Later, I decided to change my stance on these terms, and my spouse filed for divorce... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Mar 6, 2025

Unlikely. Ohio now allows for post-marital agreements that would govern the terms of a property division in divorce but they are enforceable only in the following situations.

(A) The agreement is in writing and signed by both spouses ;

(B) The agreement is entered into freely...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Ohio on
Q: How do I file for divorce in Ohio after 9 years of marriage with no children, assets, or debts?

I want to file for divorce after 9 years of marriage in Ohio. We have no children, no assets, no debts, and I'm not seeking any specific arrangements like spousal support. How should I proceed?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 5, 2025

If you and your spouse can agree on the terms of terminating your marriage, it can proceed as a dissolution, which can be quicker and less expensive. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to consult some local family law attorneys who can review the process and answer your questions. Many offer free... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Contracts for Ohio on
Q: How to enforce 50% pension entitlement after divorce?

The judgment from my divorce in Ohio entitles me to 50% of my ex-wife's pension, but she recently retired and I have not yet received anything. I haven't obtained a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) or contacted the pension plan administrator. We haven't discussed this issue... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Feb 28, 2025

Contact the plan administrator regarding the situation and ask if they have their own preferred QDRO, which they probably do, for the division. Draft the QDRO according to their requirements and get it approved by them. Then file the QDRO with the DR court, and give a copy of the court approved... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Business Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Can I claim equity in a house bought with my husband's military death benefit?

My husband and I have been married for a year and a half. Four months into the marriage, my stepson committed suicide while in the military, and my husband received a death benefit as the beneficiary. We used this benefit to purchase and pay off a house, with both our names on the deed, and the... View More

Bruce Martin Broyles
Bruce Martin Broyles
answered on Feb 25, 2025

In Ohio, the important issue of separate property vs. marital property is the ability to trace the source of the funds. How real property is titled is not determinative of how the property is titled. Even though the funds went to your husband and then were deposited into a joint checking account,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: My boyfriend has been trying to find out when he was divorced. His ex will not give him any information.

We’ve tried everything on the Internet to try and find it with no luck. She said it was in the mid 90s, but that’s all she’ll say. She lives in Ohio. He tried calling every county he could think of with no luck. What else can we do?

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Oct 11, 2024

I think it's possible based on this description that he was never actually divorced. This is usually something that is pretty easy to check. She would have had to file in a domestic relations court of the county in which she resided. If you have already contacted that county's clerk of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Is it possible to keep co-owning a house while applying for marriage dissolution in Ohio? Thanks!

Me and my husband are filling for marriage dissolution, and we agreed on everything and want to keep the house in both names, as it is, and use the property as a rental home. While filling for it, there's no option to "co-own" the property, but I read in some articles online that... View More

Samuel Patry
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Samuel Patry
answered on Jul 3, 2024

Generally speaking, the purpose of terminating your marriage is to disentangle you and your spouse from one another, including mutual obligations related to the ownership of a home. Additionally, continuing to co-own a home after the termination of your marriage (even if through a dissolution) can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: my ex is in contempt 2nd time has not bought me out of my half of the house, and it is now appraised to a higher amount?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 21, 2024

Based on the information provided, here's a concise response to the situation:

1. Your ex-spouse is in contempt of court for the second time.

2. They have not bought you out of your half of the house as required.

3. The house has now been appraised at a higher value....
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Is there any other way to be legally divorced other than a dissolution or divorce?

I have been separated for 18 months. My spouse and I have absolutely nothing together. She refuses a dissolution even though she is asking for nothing and neither am I. She says I'm going to have to spend the money on an attorney out of spite just to get her to appear. What other options do I... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 14, 2024

Check if your local domestic relations court has a legal clinic with volunteer lawyers who help with the divorce paperwork. Or check local law schools for any legal clinics they have. The forms for divorce are typically available on your local court's web site, although it is recommended... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Is there any other way to be legally divorced other than a dissolution or divorce?

I have been separated for 18 months. My spouse and I have absolutely nothing together. She refuses a dissolution even though she is asking for nothing and neither am I. She says I'm going to have to spend the money on an attorney out of spite just to get her to appear. What other options do I... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on May 14, 2024

If you truly don't have assets to split, you might consider filing the divorce yourself without an attorney. Many courts have their own forms to assist in low-asset divorces. The most you would pay in that case would be the filing fee.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I have parenting issue with ex spouse with mental illness. He was been non compliant . He wants to modify the agreement.

When he doesn't agree with we agreed to, he's constantly is wanting to change things. We both are supposed to have an ROR, which includes talking to the psychiatrist and or doctors. I agreed to be transparent about my medical health, even though i do not have any psychotic disorders. He... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 11, 2024

I don't see a specific question here. It sounds like you may wish to either file a motion to enforce your present agreement, or in the alternative terminate your agreement in favor of you having custody reserving visitation to the other parent. It sounds like you may wish to have a Guardian ad... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Going through a divorce, what all can I legally get? Husband refuses to let me have anything!

Me and my husband are going to be going through a divorce. After obtaining legal martial status, we had bought a house, had a child, bought vehicles and appliances for the home. Husband refused to move out so I left, he states he is entitled to everything and I only get my clothes and custody of... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 8, 2024

IN GENERAL: Anything purchased or acquired after a couple is married is considered marital property. That means that if the parties divorce, all of that property must be equitably divided between the parties. This includes houses, cars, personal property, retirement accounts, bank accounts, etc.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: My huband said he filed for a divorce in February of this year 2024.

My husband said he hired an attorney in the beginning of February, he told me his attorney would write up the papers then email to him so he could look over them before signing. My husband then told me his attorney was going to mail me the papers so I could then look at them and if I did not agree... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 3, 2024

It sounds like your husband has hired an attorney on a limited representation basis. That is, the attorney is just drafting documents, but your husband is handling the rest. If that's the case then this does sound above-board.

You do not need to wait any time at all if you want to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: My huband said he filed for a divorce in February of this year 2024.

My husband said he hired an attorney in the beginning of February, he told me his attorney would write up the papers then email to him so he could look over them before signing. My husband then told me his attorney was going to mail me the papers so I could then look at them and if I did not agree... View More

Raquel Ann Parish
Raquel Ann Parish
answered on Apr 3, 2024

Parties to dissolution or divorce in Ohio have a right to have their own attorney review any documents they receive from another attorney who represents their spouse. When an attorney represents one party the attorney will most certainly write the documents in a way that is advantageous to their... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Am I able to discard my ex husbands property? He had 60 days from divorce in December 2022.

The divorce states that I am to reside in the rental home, but no other information about his belongings in the decree. It was an uncontested divorce, he did not show up.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2024

In situations like yours, it's important to approach the disposal of your ex-husband's belongings with caution. Given that he had 60 days from December 2022 as per the divorce decree and assuming this time has elapsed, the next steps depend on the laws of your specific state or country.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Started common law marriage in Montana moved to Ohio and continued filing all taxes as married 15 years total.

Also recieved medicaid for our children as married in both states. Gave wife wedding rings. Joint bank accounts and shared property. We are now seperated for 4 years. We lived together had implied agreement through filing taxes state and federal as married in Montana for 7 years and continued the... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Feb 22, 2024

In order to fully answer this question, one would need to know whether or not the couple described map of the criteria for common law marriage in Montana when they moved to Ohio. Ohio has not recognized common law marriage (within the state) since 1990. If, however, the couple met all the criteria... View More

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