The decision to end a marriage is not easy, especially if the couple was married for a long time. One of the factors that concerns many people about getting a divorce is the financial aspect. The thought of how to divide assets or the loss of one whole income can be daunting. In some cases, one spouse may have earned significantly less than the other spouse did or even gave up his or her career to raise a child. In many states, such as Ohio, an award of “alimony” or now called “spousal support” may allow the spouse with the lower income to maintain his or her standard of living after the divorce. But, what happens to those support payments if one of the ex-spouses remarries?  

Determining Spousal Support in Ohio

In the state of Ohio, the court may order temporary spousal support during the divorce proceedings since some divorces can take a long time. Permanent spousal support payments may then be ordered once the divorce is final. While some states have guidelines for calculating the amount and duration of spousal support payments, Ohio divorce law leaves these decisions up to the court’s discretion. A judge must consider several factors when deciding whether or not to award spousal support payments.

Some of the issues the court will review include: 

It is often said that half of marriages in the United States end in divorce. In reality, the percentage of divorce is somewhere between 40 and 50 percent, and that rate has steadily decreased in recent decades. There are many factors that can contribute to a couple’s likelihood to get a divorce, such as the length of the relationship, the age of the individuals, and whether or not one of the parties has been married before. According to USA Today, the divorce capital of Ohio is Bedford Heights, with nearly 20 percent of the population being divorced, compared to 13 percent throughout the rest of the state. 

When the time comes for a married couple to decide on separation, this may feel like an overwhelming decision. There are many things to consider when getting a divorce, such as the division of assets and child custody, but couples should first consider how to proceed with the divorce process. In Ohio, there are multiple options for resolving the legal issues that must be addressed during divorce. Depending on the relationship with your ex-spouse, you may find one is better for your situation than another. 

Options for Divorce

• Mediation - If you and your spouse are able to amicably discuss the legal issues involved in ending your marriage, mediation can be a great option for conflict resolution. When using mediation, you and your spouse will work with a mediator to discuss and decide on the terms of your divorce. The mediator is not there to take sides or make decisions for you but to assist in guiding a productive conversation. After the mediation process, the agreements are placed in writing and signed. 
• Collaborative law - In this type of divorce, couples agree to work together and negotiate the various issues involved in divorce outside of court while being represented by their own attorneys. This process requires both parties to be open to the idea of discussion and be willing to freely share information with each other.
• Litigation - In some cases, it may be necessary to involve the court in divorce proceedings. This may be the case if couples truly cannot agree on the terms of their divorce or are unwilling to negotiate, or if there are serious issues such as restraining orders that have been placed because of domestic violence or abuse. Unlike mediation or collaborative law, court proceedings are public. 

Contact a Wayne County Divorce Attorney Today

Getting a divorce is an overwhelming process that involves a wide variety of steps. Contact an experienced Summit County divorce lawyer to discuss the best divorce procedure for you and your family. We offer free consultations in most cases. Call 330-725-4114 to schedule an appointment.