Ohio's Residency Requirements

Either spouse must be a resident of Ohio for 6 months to file for divorce.

Ohio's Grounds for Divorce

Ohio residents may file for divorce under fault or no-fault grounds.

Ohio's no-fault grounds include:

• incompatibility
• living separate and apart without cohabitation for 1 year or more

Ohio's fault grounds include:

• adultery
• neglect
• willful desertion for 1 year or more

Ohio's Child Custody Guidelines

Divorcing parents are allowed to collaborate on a child custody arrangement, and produce a written parenting plan. If the parents cannot reach a decision, an Ohio court will make a ruling.

Ohio courts consider factors such as:

• any evidence or history of abuse, neglect, violence, substance abuse, or abandonment in each parent's environment
• wishes of the child, if of sufficient age and capacity
• each parent's ability to encourage a meaningful relationship between the child and other parent

Ohio's Child Support Guidelines

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support and the paying parent, child support will be decided by state-specific calculations and guidelines.

Ohio courts consider factors such as:

• the standard of living experienced during the marriage
• the child's educational, physical, emotional, and medical needs of the child
• each parent's earning capacity

Ohio's Spousal Support Guidelines

Spousal support can be paid in one lump sum, in installments, or periodically. The spouses may determine the spousal support amount and payment schedule, or the courts may award spousal support.

Ohio courts consider factors such as:

• duration of the marriage
• each spouse's ability to support themselves
• standard of living experienced during the marriage
• any child custody and support arrangements

Ohio's Property Division Guidelines

Ohio has adopted community property division guidelines, meaning all property acquired during the marriage will be divided into two equal parts. Spouses may collaborate on the property distribution, but if they are unable to agree the courts will make a ruling.

Ohio courts consider factors such as:

• duration of the marriage
• custodial status of each spouse
• whether a spouse contributed to the other spouse's career or education

Ohio's Venue Guidelines

A petitioner may file the divorce forms in their Ohio county of residence.