Filing a contested divorce

All stuff you should talk to your attorney about. In general it's better to hire an attorney and do some planning before telling your spouse that you are divorcing them.

In Ohio, there are two methods available to end your marriage. The first is a Dissolution of Marriage. In a Dissolution, both you and your wife must agree on the terms of the documents that will be filed in court. This type of action is the least expensive and least frustrating method to end your marriage. The second method is to file for Divorce. A divorce action is a lawsuit. It does not matter whether your wife agrees or not. Rather, you need to establish that you have grounds for divorce. If you have grounds (most people do), the court will determine marital and non-marital property and attempt to divide it equitably. Other issues the court will decide include child custody, spousal support, child support, and division of pensions.

It is recommended that you consult with an attorney for legal advise applicable to the specific facts of your case. Each situatiuon is different and in Ohio, judges are granted lots of discretion in how the issues are ruled upon. Until you consult with an attorney, "you really don't know what you don't know about divorce law".