Family Law

The Boerst Law Office: Aggressive and Affordable Representation

Our divorce lawyers helps our clients resolve challenging family law issues, including the low- or high-conflict termination of marriages via divorce and/or dissolution, by taking the time to understand each of our clients’ unique situations and by providing informed, personalized, and understandable guidance. Whether through skillfully negotiated settlement or aggressive trial representation, we are here to help our clients achieve their immediate and long term goals.

Divorce in Ohio

Differences arise between people and in all families. Most differences can be resolved amicably and do not result in the termination of a marriage or a legal separation. But, often prolonged martial conflict can be unsustainable, unhealthy, and ultimately indefensible. If you are considering terminating your marriage, or have already decided to file for divorce and/or dissolution, it is important that you speak to an experienced Ohio divorce attorney, who can discuss your options with you and represent you in the divorce process.

Divorce vs. Dissolution

A dissolution of marriage in Ohio is a non-adversarial, “no-fault,” proceeding to legally end a marriage. The spouses file a joint petition with the court, requesting that the court review and approve the agreement that they have entered into. That agreement resolves the relevant issues such as division of property, allocation of marital debt, and allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (custody and support).

In order to use the dissolution procedures, the spouses have to reach agreement on all of these issues. The dissolution procedure provides the same legal effect as a divorce in that the marital relationship is terminated. It avoids conflict and confrontation, is usually much quicker, is usually significantly less expensive, and the parties can be relatively sure of the ultimate outcome.

Dissolution

Frequently, the end of a marriage is fraught with resentment and bitterness. These feelings of resentment and bitterness may make negotiation very difficult. The idea of sitting down and negotiating the allocation of parental rights and the division of property is frightening. Despite the difficulty, there are many reasons why it is usually better to negotiate a dissolution rather than litigate a divorce – here are the top 5:

• Cost – A divorce is very expensive. The average rate for Ohio divorce lawyers is between $200 and $400 per hour. I think everyone could agree that they have better uses for their money than paying hundreds of dollars an hour to a lawyer. Generally, a dissolution is handled for a flat fee and the total cost is substantially less than that of a litigated divorce.
• Control – You and your spouse are in the best position to know what is in the best interest of your children and yourselves. When you litigate a divorce you are asking the judge to decide how to divide your property and allocate parental rights. Do you really want someone else to make such important decisions after only hearing your story during a short trial?
• Civility – If you and your spouse have children you are going to have to deal with one another for many years to come. The process of negotiating a dissolution can be a building block for successful future relations. You will be doing your children a great service if you quickly learn to work civilly with your spouse. Make no mistakes about it – when a marriage fails it is difficult on the children! Having a nasty custody battle means you are taking an already stressful situation and making it much worse.
• Speed – A quick and efficient resolution to your end of marriage arrangements helps the healing process. A litigated divorce takes a substantial amount of time and energy. Stretching out the process over a period of many months (or longer – sometimes much longer) means that you have to continue living with the pain, resentment and fear. A dissolution is fast and allows you to move on with your new life.
• Win-Win – The process of negotiating means that both sides will have to make compromises. If each party can walk away feeling that they got a fair resolution they can move from a place of pain and resentment towards a place of healing.

Complex Divorce in Ohio

All divorces are stressful and emotionally difficult. Complex and high-asset divorces are no different. However, complex and high-asset divorces often present a whole new set of concerns. Issues such as business and real-estate valuation, the division of stock, retirement and investment accounts, and other unique concerns require an experienced divorce attorney. In fact, identification and proper appraisal of assets and liabilities is critical to obtaining an equitable division of property.

Experienced and Dedicated Divorce Attorney

Hiring a divorce attorney is an important decision; it should not be based solely on advertisements. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, experienced, and effective divorce attorney, contact The Boerst Law Office at 1 (855) ToledoLaw / 1(855) 865-3365.

Contact a Divorce Attorney Today

If you face a significant Family Law issue, need experienced legal representation, and would like to schedule a confidential, initial consultation: contact our office at 1 (855) ToledoLaw / 1(855) 865-3365 or by using our online contact form. Please be advised that, upon request, evening and weekend appointments are generally available.