I Live in Ohio. Can I Get a Divorce Online?
Start typing “get a divorce…” into Google’s search box, and the first suggestion it offers for completing your query is, “get a divorce online.” Today, there are a variety of platforms offering “low-cost,” online legal services and documents for everything from starting a business to getting an online divorce.
But, is getting divorced online really the best option? Will your divorce be valid? How can you be sure that you have thoroughly addressed all of the issues involved in your divorce?
If Your Divorce Involves Any Unique or Complex Issues, Online Probably Isn’t the Best Option
In some, limited circumstances, it might be okay to get your divorce online. If your divorce is truly uncontested and you and your spouse have no children and only limited assets, all of which you can clearly identify, then using an online service could be a reasonable option for your divorce. That said, at Laubacher & Co. we do not endorse any online divorce service, and we strongly encourage you to do your research before going the route of online divorce.
We also encourage you to contact us to learn more about your options. We offer free initial consultations (evening and weekend appointments are available), and we would be happy to help you understand whether there will be any issues in your divorce that will require legal representation.
Divorce Issues that Require Legal Representation
The following are some examples of unique and complex divorce issues that will require legal representation. This list is not exhaustive, and again we encourage you to schedule a free consultation.
You should not pursue an online divorce if:
- You and your spouse have a high net worth. In any high-net-worth divorce, it is important to hire an attorney. The more that is at stake, the more important it is to ensure that you have taken a thorough approach to finalizing your divorce. The last thing you want to do is overlook an asset and have to try to deal with the implications after your divorce is final.
- You and your spouse have retirement accounts. Retirement accounts can present unique issues in terms of equitable distribution in a divorce. There are a variety of different options for dividing retirement accounts (assuming they need to be divided), and depending on the type of account there can be special requirements for giving one former spouse access to the other’s retirement distributions.
- Your divorce involves a family business. If you, your spouse or both of you own a family business, then it will strongly be in your best interests to hire an attorney for your divorce. Determining ownership of a business requires careful consideration of a number of different factors, and you will need to be sure to value the business accurately to ensure that you receive an equitable distribution.
- You or your spouse is active-duty military or a military veteran. Military divorces involve a number of unique issues, from knowing where to file to dealing with military retirement benefits. If you or your spouse is active-duty military or a military veteran, you should speak with an attorney about your divorce before you try to file online.
- You have children. If you have children, you should not get a divorce online. There are numerous complexities involved in child custody determinations and awarding child support in Ohio, and you do not want to risk giving up your parental rights or making any mistakes that could impact your children’s future.
- You have a prenuptial agreement. If you have a prenuptial agreement, you will need to hire an attorney to advise you as to both (i) whether the agreement is valid, and (ii) if it is, what impact it will have on your divorce.
Learn More about Your Divorce Options. Schedule a Free Consultation Today.
To learn more about the issues you are likely to face in your divorce and the options you have available, contact Laubacher & Co. for a free, confidential consultation. Call our Cleveland, OH law offices at (440) 336-8687 or send us a message online to schedule an appointment with an experienced attorney today.