Filing for dissolution of marriage, even in this modern era, can still be a cumbersome issue for many couples all around the world. A more effective, cost-efficient way of getting a divorce is to opt for what is known as a ‘Do it yourself’ (DIY) online divorce.
There is no doubt that marriage is a beautiful bond between humans, but when that bond is lost and the marriage becomes a painful, stressful experience, a divorce is often the only reasonable way out of the situation. Oftentimes though, even though there is disarray between the couples, they are unable to go through with the legal proceedings because of the expensive fees and the vast amounts of time and resources required by the process.
To offer a more economical approach, there are many online DIY Divorce Services that help couples in the state of Ohio who are filing for divorce. The process of getting a divorce over the internet is very fast and easy. However, it largely depends upon the expertise and authenticity of the website offering these services. The following are a few necessities you should consider before starting the online divorce process in Ohio:
1) Residency Requirements:
To file for a web divorce, the state of Ohio requires at least one of the spouses to have been a resident of the state for at least 6 months and a resident of the particular county where the case will be filed for at least 90 days.
2) Grounds For Divorce:
- Fault Based Grounds:
Fault-based grounds may be applicable if one of the individuals has engaged in neglect of duty, adultery, chronic intoxication, bigamy, or cruelty, or if the spouse has been imprisoned. Fault-based grounds have to be proven in court.
- No-Fault Grounds:
No-fault grounds don’t have to be proven in court, making them the ideal option for a DIY online divorce. These grounds include living separately for 1 year or the incompatibility of the spouses, making it too difficult for the marriage to continue.
3) Cost:
In the event of filing for a divorce, all plaintiffs have to pay a court filing fee when submitting the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. In Ohio, this filing fee varies by county but typically ranges from $200 – $300. The cost beyond the filing fee will depend on the type of divorce. On average, the total cost of a traditional contested divorce, involving attorneys and a trial, costs around $15,000 per person. On the other hand, if the case is uncontested, it can be done without an attorney in the minimal amount of time. An online divorce company can do all the paperwork for your case for as low as $139. This makes an uncontested online divorce a fast, easy, and affordable option in the state of Ohio.
4) Financial Hardship:
For spouses that face financial hardship, they can qualify to have the filing fee waived. Such individuals will have to prove their financial strains by filing a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis along with an Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Latin for in the manner of a pauper).
5) Do it Yourself (DIY) Divorce:
For couples who have mutually agreed to an uncontested divorce, DIY divorce is a good option. When a couple agrees to all of the terms of their separation, there is no need for a lawyer. A couple can administer the process on their own without expensive lawyer fees. This includes getting, filling out, and filing your divorce documents by yourself. The documents can be found on the court website or picked up at the Clerk of Court’s office where you live. Once you’ve filled in all the information on the divorce papers, all you need to do is file them in your local court and wait for a notification of a date and time when your divorce petition will be heard before a qualified judge.
6) Property Division:
- Marital Property:
All the property, income, and earnings acquired during the marriage is considered to be marital property and should be divided equitably or fairly between the two parties.
- Separate Property:
This constitutes all of the property obtained before the marriage or gifts and inheritance given to only one the spouses. Separate property stays with its original owner after a divorce.
7) Child Custody:
When there are minor children of the marriage, the courts in Ohio consider two aspects of custody – Legal custody and Physical custody. Legal custody determines which parent will make important decisions for the child. Physical custody refers to where the child will reside, in accordance with the child’s best interests. To accommodate the best interests of the child, the courts recommend a shared ‘Parenting Plan’ where both parents agree to share the custody of the child with respect to each parent’s residence and their occupational calendar. It is assumed that it is beneficial for the child to have contact with both parents in order to experience a complete childhood unless proven otherwise.
8) Child Support:
Child Support determines how much money each spouse will contribute towards the child’s upbringing and education. In the event that the spouses are not able to come to a reasonable agreement, the judge will take into account the annual income of both individuals and the number of dependent children before deciding the amount to be paid for child support.
9) Change of Plans:
Sometimes the plaintiff and respondent change their minds about getting a divorce after they start. Online divorce services offer an average time period of 30 days to make changes to your application and revoke any pre-planned decisions made in haste.
Because of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, mainly people rightfully fear stepping out of the safety of their homes and avoid any unnecessary outside contact. Thanks to online divorce services, your divorce doesn’t have to be put on hold. Couples can get a divorce online without any difficulties, right from the safety of their own homes. The shift from the customary use of lawyers and attorneys in divorce cases to online services is due to the much more efficient manner in which divorce proceedings can be carried out. Online divorce eliminates the hassle of dealing with different people and the excessive waste of resources and time, making this an increasingly popular choice of couples looking for an amicable divorce.Online Ohio divorce offers to provide you with ready-to-sign documents, free of mistakes, following Ohio Revised Code and local county regulations, and customized to the specific circumstance of your case.