Anyone who has gotten married knows that while the decision to say “I do” may be a big one, the process itself is relatively simple. Anyone who has gotten a divorce will tell you the opposite; getting a divorce is both a large decision and an intensive legal process. Indeed, navigating the process of dissolving a marriage is often much easier with a skilled Bay Village divorce lawyer on your side. At the law offices of Kvale Antonelli & Raj, our team of experienced divorce lawyers has been serving clients in Bay Village and surrounding communities for years and is confident in our ability to provide you with the legal services you deserve.
If you and your spouse have decided that the time to end your marriage has come, you will need to file a petition for dissolution of marriage in the county in which you live. Your petition for divorce can only be filed if you have been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to filing, and it must include the grounds on which you are seeking divorce.Â
In Ohio, there are both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. No-fault grounds (which are the basis on which most people pursue a divorce) include incompatibility and living separately and apart for a period of no less than one year. Fault-based grounds, on the other hand, include things like adultery, bigamy, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and more. Our attorneys can help you determine whether filing on fault or no-fault grounds is advisable (assuming fault grounds exist).Â
In addition to being a resident of Ohio and letting the court know why you want to divorce your spouse, you will also need to work with your spouse to resolve issues ranging from how property will be divided to who will have custody of the children to whether or not spousal maintenance will be a part of your divorce settlement and more. It is strongly encouraged that you and your spouse work together to determine how to resolve these issues, either through mediation or negotiation. Not only does working together to reach an agreement save time and money, it can also reduce stress and help to maintain a healthier relationship, which can be very important if you have children together.Â
Of course, not all divorcing couples are able to come to an agreement regarding contentious issues in a divorce. When out-of-court dispute resolution attempts fail, a couple may need to go to court for resolution. If this is the case, a judge will be responsible for making a decision about your divorce settlement.Â
At Kvale Antonelli & Raj, our Bay Village divorce lawyers are here to provide you with the support, legal guidance, and advocacy you’re looking for. We are skilled negotiators, know how to advocate for our clients’ best interests, and also have courtroom experience. Please reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with our law firm and learn more.
To schedule a consultation with one of our Cleveland family law attorneys,
call 216-861-2222 or complete our online form.