Avvo, an online legal services marketplace, estimates that there are two divorces every minute in the United States. In 2011, there were 67,606 divorces in the state of Ohio alone. Though the numbers show that divorces occur all the time, going through one can be an overwhelming and life-altering decision for anyone.
A no-fault divorce, or a divorce that doesn’t require one spouse to prove marital misconduct from the other, is an option in every state in America. No-fault divorces were first introduced in California in 1970 and slowly passed legislation across the United States over the span of 40 years. While 17 states only offer no-fault divorces, many states give married couples the option of filing for a fault or a no-fault divorce. Ohio is one of those states.
If you and your spouse wish to file a no-fault divorce, you must either:
A no-fault divorce typically provides a sense of privacy for each spouse since neither one is being blamed for the divorce in a public court. No-fault divorces also tend to be less expensive and take less time since fault does not have to be proven.
Conversely, a fault divorce occurs when one spouse believes the other spouse did something that caused the marriage to fail. According to the Ohio State Bar Association, one of the following scenarios needs to be proven in order to file a fault divorce:
While a quick read through your options may shed some light on the right path for you and your spouse, don’t feel that you need to make this decision before approaching an attorney. A divorce lawyer can help you weigh the pros and cons of each approach so that you can make big this life decision with confidence.
Many people have heard in recent years that 50% of marriages end in divorce. But did you know that this statistic accounts for first, second, and third marriages? The rate of divorce in first marriages is actually closer to 40%. Here are some other interesting facts about divorce:
Knowing that you’re not alone can be comforting, but it’s important to remember that you are not a statistic. You need an attorney who can not only provide the facts on divorce — but can also approach your case in a way that’s specifically tailored to you.
Attorney Sherry Naegele has been practicing law in the state of Ohio since 2000. Her practice encompasses all areas of family law, and her experience and compassion can help you through life’s most difficult situations. Contact her today to get started.
