Just as there are legal requirements for getting married (such as consent, age, etc.), states also regulate the divorce process. In Ohio, the divorce laws include the possibility of a court-ordered conciliation period for as much as 90 days, while the plaintiff -- the person filing for divorce -- must have been a state resident for at least six months.
Ohio law allows no-fault divorce (at most, requiring the spouses to remain physically separated for one year), but calls the legal process a dissolution. The Ohio Supreme Court provides downloads of forms for Ohio Dissolution without Children and Ohio Dissolution with Children. For a divorce, which requires fault in Ohio, state code lists the following grounds:
If seeking a divorce on one or more of the above grounds and want to download forms, following the links for Divorce without Children or Divorce with Children. Some uncontested divorces without children may be reconciled without an attorney. But more often, parties to a divorce are better off hiring a lawyer, particularly if the other party is represented.
Learn more about Ohio's divorce laws in the table below. See FindLaw's extensive Divorce section for more articles and resources.
| Code Section | 3105 et seq. |
| Residency Requirements | Plaintiff must have been resident 6 months. |
| Waiting Period | Decree immediately final, but court may order conciliation period for up to 90 days. |
| 'No Fault' Grounds for Divorce | Separation (1 yr.); incompatibility (unless denied by other party). |
| Defenses to a Divorce Filing | - |
| Other Grounds for Divorce | Adultery; cruelty or violence; desertion; alcohol addiction; imprisonment; prior marriage undissolved; fraudulent contract; other party procures a divorce out of state; gross neglect of duty. |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an Ohio divorce attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Ohio Legal Requirements for Divorce: Related Resources
Getting Divorced in Ohio? An Attorney Can Help
Deciding to take steps to dissolve your marriage is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make. This is particularly true if you have children together. But you don't have to go through this process by yourself. There are skilled divorce lawyers available to help you understand Ohio's divorce laws and how they will impact you.
