Divorce

Divorce or Dissolution - Options for Terminating of Marriage

The decision to terminate your marriage (either through divorce or dissolution) is one of the most difficult and emotional choices you will ever make, particularly if you have children.  A dissolution or divorce can be an emotional and stressful process, and it is usually something that is rare in any one person's life.  But with our 17 years experience, it is something that we deal with frequently. We can help you understand the issues of family law, and give you straight forward answers to your questions. We recognize that an unhappy marriage should not be a prison, and we can help you to leave it with dignity.

In Ohio there are two primary ways to terminate a marriage: Dissolution and Divorce.  In a dissolution, both parties must be in complete agreement regarding all issues including the division of property, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for minor children, child and spousal support (if applicable), as well as the distribution of debts.  When compared to a contested divorce, dissolution can provide a more economical and dignified solution to the ending of a marriage.

Over 90% of the divorce proceedings in Franklin County Ohio are settled before trial, and divorce cases typically take a year or longer.  In a dissolution proceeding, once an agreement is reached and the documents are filed, the final hearing takes place approximately 30 to 45 days later.  So, if at all possible, negotiating an agreement for a dissolution of your marriage can be the most expedient, as well as both financially and emotionally beneficial.  The attorneys at White & Fish, L.P.A. are committed to finding the right solution in the shortest possible timeframe.  Our experience and training in Collaborative Law lends itself to accelerating a negotiated solution, keeping costs to a minimum.  Jeff Fish has personal experience dealing with almost every practical family law related issue in his 17 years of practice.

The use of a private judge for your final dissolution hearing can save all parties a substantial amount of time, and expense.  The proceeding takes place in the comfort and privacy of the offices of White & Fish, L.P.A. Inc., instead of traveling to the courthouse and waiting in open court for your case to be called. 

Dissolution is a conflict, and as your attorney we only represent you.  Your spouse has the right to their own representation and can retain a lawyer to review negotiate on their behalf, review any proposed dissolution agreement and advise them.

What about Child Support? How much child support are you entitled to by law? Can you get extra child support for your children? Child support ensures that the child or children share in the resources of both parents. The State of Ohio has statutory guidelines to determine child support based on the gross incomes of the parents. The calculation isn't based purely on one's total or "gross income," but instead it allows for certain deductions to be made before calculating support. However, the guideline amount is not the final word - it may be changed up or down, depending upon extenuating circumstances. Persuading the judge to deviate significantly from the guideline amount of child support requires dependable advice and decisive action. We can help both mothers and fathers determine their rights.

What about Spousal Support? How much support do you need to keep living? Will you receive spousal support? Will you have to pay spousal support? We have helped hundreds of people in Columbus, Franklin County and all around central Ohio face these questions. You should know that alimony, or "spousal support", can be awarded to either spouse. There are several factors the Court has to consider when determining whether spousal support is appropriate. Those factors include: the age of the spouses; their education, income and employment possibilities; retirement benefits; length of the marriage; and, their assets and debts. We will give you a straight answer, even if you may not like what we have to say. Because you have the right to know. Divorce can be a complex process, and we are here to help you through it. Call us today, so that we can start listening.

Handling Complex Divorce Matters

Divorces involving significant assets and high-profile individuals involve a number of issues that are not common to other divorces. At  White & Fish, L.P.A., Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, we have significant experience handling high-end divorce disputes. Our attorneys regularly represent men and women dealing with the personal, business, and financial issues associated the dissolution of a marriage.

Effective Columbus Divorce Lawyers

Many complex divorce cases involve an intricate combination of joint property and separate property and may include businesses owned by the husband, wife or both. We will employ accountants, forensic accountants, business valuation experts, certified financial divorce professionals, and real estate experts to help us determine the value of assets, when they were acquired, whether they are part of the marital estate, and tax aspects relating to the division of those assets. Our divorce attorneys routinely deal with a host of asset allocation issues associated with high-asset divorce disputes:

•· Business valuations

•· Divorce tax planning

•· Professional practice valuations

•· 401K, pensions, and other retirement accounts

•· Investment accounts and investment portfolios

•· Trusts

•· Commingled assets

•· Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)

•· Film, book and music royalties

•· Stocks and bonds

•· Debts

Since a majority of the Ohio divorce statutes target middle income divorce matters, child support, child custody, and spousal support disputes are often intensified in high-end and high profile divorces. We understand that regardless of the financial situation of the people involved, divorce is always difficult. We work with you to understand the totality of your situation and help you try to get a marital dissolution agreement that protects your long and short-term interests.

Spousal Support • Collaborative Divorce • Dissolution of Marriage • Child Support

When choosing an attorney to represent you in a divorce or dissolution of your marriage, it's important to find someone who is not only capable and qualified, but who can sympathize with your stresses as well. Contested and collaborative divorce lawyer Jeffrey D. Fish is a Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law . He can provide the service and representation you need to bring you through the difficult process that lies ahead.

To set up an appointment, contact White & Fish, L.P.A., Inc. , today. We provide quality, personable, practical legal representation for clients. Apart from our skilled in-trial litigation, our services for divorce include help dealing with:

• Collaborative divorce
• Dissolution of marriage
• Child custody
• Child support

Ohio Child Support and Spousal Support

Every state has a different method for calculating how much child and spousal support one spouse ought to pay to the other. The State of Ohio has statutory guidelines to determine child support based on the gross incomes of the parents. The calculation isn't based purely on one's total or "net income," but instead it allows for certain deductions to be made before calculating support.

However, the guideline amount is not the final word - it may be changed up or down, depending upon extenuating circumstances. Persuading the judge to deviate significantly from the guideline amount of child support requires dependable advice and decisive action.

If you're about to enter into a divorce, feel free to contact White & Fish, L.P.A., Inc., online or simply call us at (614) 485-9300 to set up an appointment.