Fill and Sign the Oh Divorce Form

Prepared by U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. Copyright 2016 - U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. STATE OF OHIO DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE PACKAGE WITH MINOR CHILDREN UNCONTESTED Control Number: OH-006-D This packet contains the following: 1. Information about Divorce 2. Form List 3. Form Explanations 4. Instructions and Steps 5. Checklist 6. Access to Law Summary You and your spouse must agree to all terms of the divorce to use this packet. All forms to be filed with the Court must be printed on Bond paper. INFORMATION ABOUT DIVORCE 1. WHO CAN USE THESE FORMS: This packet is for the sole purpose of obtaining an uncontested divorce. In Ohio, an uncontested (agreed) divorce is known as“dissolution of marriage.” This packet is only of use to you if you and your spouse are willing to agree to all the terms and conditions of your divorce. You must work and communicate with your spouse and keep him or her advised as to each step in the process. If the two of you cannot agree, you will become involved in a contested divorce, and this packet cannot help you. 2. THE BASICS: You must agree with your spouse to dissolve the marriage, and agree to all the terms of the dissolution of marriage in filling out the forms, including property division. You will complete and file the forms (see detailed instructions, below) in the Court of Common Pleas for the county in which you choose to file the dissolution (the county of either your or your spouse’s residence). You will go before the judge with your spouse and the judge may question you as to certain matters, and likely approve the dissolution of your marriage if all is in order. 3. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: In actions for Dissolution of Marriage (agreed, uncontested divorce), the filing party or his/her spouse must have resided in the State of Ohio for at least six months immediately prior to the filing of the petition for dissolution. 4. GROUNDS FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE: A marriage may be terminated in the State of Ohio in two different ways. The first way a marriage may be terminated, and the focus of this package, is through the Dissolution procedures. To obtain a decree of Dissolution, the parties must agree upon every issue related to their marriage. This means the parties must agree on issues of division of property and debts, custody, child support, and spousal support. The parties must then memorialize the agreement in the form of a Separation Agreement. The second method of terminating a marriage is through the Divorce procedures. The Court may grant divorces for the following causes: (a) Either party had a husband or wife living at the time of the marriage from which the divorce is sought; (b) Willful absence of the adverse party for one year; (c) Adultery; (d) Extreme cruelty; (e) Fraudulent contract; (f) Any gross neglect of duty; (g) Habitual drunkenness; (h) Imprisonment of the adverse party in a state or federal correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint; (i) Procurement of a divorce outside this state, by a husband or wife, by virtue of which the party who procured it is released from the obligations of the marriage, while those obligations remain binding upon the other party; (j) On the application of either party, when husband and wife have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation; (k) Incompatibility, unless denied by either party. § 3105.01 This package is only for use by parties seeking to terminate their marriage through the Dissolution of Marriage procedure. The material presented on Divorce is solely for information purposes. 5. LEGAL SEPARATION : A legal separation is a Court proceeding used by parties who wish to remain married but live separate lives. The Court may issue a decree of legal separation for the following causes: (a) Either party had a husband or wife living at the time of the marriage from which legal separation is sought; (b) Willful absence of the adverse party for one year; (c) Adultery; (d) Extreme cruelty; (e) Fraudulent contract; (f) Any gross neglect of duty; (g) Habitual drunkenness; (h) Imprisonment of the adverse party in a state or federal correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint; (i) On the application of either party, when husband and wife have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation; (j) Incompatibility, unless denied by either party. This package does not contain forms for a legal separation. 6. WAITING PERIOD : No action for divorce may be heard and decided until the expiration of forty-two days after the service of process or twenty-eight days after the last publication of notice of the complaint, and no action for divorce shall be heard and decided earlier than twenty-eight days after the service of a counterclaim, which under this rule may be designated a cross-complaint, unless the plaintiff files a written waiver of the twenty-eight day period. 7. ALIMONY/SUPPORT : Since this is an agreed upon Dissolution of Marriage proceeding, you and your spouse will decide issues of alimony. The forms assume that no alimony will be paid and is waived but you may add provisions for alimony if you desire. In Divorce proceedings, in determining whether spousal support is appropriate and reasonable, and in determining the nature, amount, and terms of payment, and duration of spousal support, which is payable either in gross or in installments, the court shall consider all of the following factors: (a) The income of the parties, from all sources, including, but not limited to, income derived from property divided, disbursed, or distributed by the Court in the present proceeding; (b) The relative earning abilities of the parties; (c) The ages and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of the parties; (d) The retirement benefits of the parties; (e) The duration of the marriage; (f) The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a party, because that party will be custodian of a minor child of the marriage, to seek employment outside the home; (g) The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage; (h) The relative extent of education of the parties; (i) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties, including but not limited to any court-ordered payments by the parties; (j) The contribution of each party to the education, training, or earning ability of the other party, including, but not limited to, any party's contribution to the acquisition of a professional degree of the other party; (k) The time and expense necessary for the spouse who is seeking spousal support to acquire education, training, or job experience so that the spouse will be qualified to obtain appropriate employment, provided the education, training, or job experience, and employment is, in fact, sought; (l) The tax consequences, for each party, of an award of spousal support; (m) The lost income production capacity of either party that resulted from that party's marital responsibilities; (n) Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be relevant and equitable. 8. DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY: Since this is an agreed upon Dissolution of Marriage proceeding, the parties will agreed to all property distributions. In Divorce proceedings, the court shall determine what constitutes marital property and what constitutes separate property. Upon making such a determination, the court shall divide the marital and separate property equitably between the spouses. In making a division of marital property and in determining whether to make and the amount of any distributive award, the court shall consider all of the following factors: (a) The duration of the marriage; (b) The assets and liabilities of the spouses; (c) The desirability of awarding the family home, or the right to reside in the family home for reasonable periods of time, to the spouse with custody of the children of the marriage; (d) The liquidity of the property to be distributed; (e) The economic desirability of retaining intact an asset or an interest in an asset; (f) The tax consequences of the property division upon the respective awards to be made to each spouse; (g) The costs of sale, if it is necessary that an asset be sold to effectuate an equitable distribution of property; (h) Any division or disbursement of property made in a separation agreement that was voluntarily entered into by the spouses; (i) Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be relevant and equitable. 9. CONCILIATION / FAMILY COUNSELING: The Court may order the parties to undergo conciliation for the period of time not exceeding ninety days as the court specifies, and, if children are involved in the proceeding, the court may order the parties to take part in family counseling during the course of the proceeding or for any reasonable period of time as directed by the court. No action for divorce in which conciliation or family counseling has been ordered shall be heard or decided until the conciliation or family counseling has concluded and been reported to the court. 10. PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM: In any divorce proceeding, the court may require that the parents attend classes on parenting or other related issues or obtain counseling before the court issues an order allocating the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor children of the marriage. 11. PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (CUSTODY): Since this is an agreed upon Dissolution of Marriage proceeding, the parties will agree to all issues regarding parental rights and responsibilities. In a Divorce proceeding, the court shall take into account that which would be in the best interest of the children. In determining the best interest of a child, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to: (a) The wishes of the child's parents regarding the child's care; (b) If the court has interviewed the child regarding the child's wishes and concerns as to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, the wishes and concerns of the child, as expressed to the court; (c) The child's interaction and interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest; (d) The child's adjustment to the child's home, school, and community; (e) The mental and physical health of all persons involved in the situation; (f) The parent more likely to honor and facilitate court-approved parenting time rights or visitation and companionship rights; (g) Whether either parent has failed to make all child support payments that are required of that parent pursuant to a child support; (h) Whether either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child; (i) Whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree has continuously and willfully denied the other parent's right to parenting time in accordance with an order of the court; (j) Whether either parent has established a residence, or is planning to establish a residence, outside this state. 12. CHILD SUPPORT: In a Divorce or Dissolution of marriage action, the Court may order either or both parents to support or help support their children, without regard to marital misconduct. The court shall include in each support order the requirement that one or both of the parents provide for the health care needs of the child to the satisfaction of the court, and the court shall include in the support order a requirement that all support payments be made through the office of child support in the department of job and family services. The State of Ohio has approved child support tables which must be used in determining the total amount of child support due, based upon both party’s income and the number of children of the marriage. Court approved Child Support worksheets are then used to determine the amount of child custody that must be paid by each party. A parent's child support obligation for a child for whom the parent is the residential parent and legal custodian shall be presumed to be spent on that child and shall not become part of a child support order, and a parent's child support obligation for a child for whom the parent is not the residential parent and legal custodian shall become part of a child support order. However, if the parents have split parental rights and responsibilities, the child support obligations of the parents shall be offset, and the court shall issue a child support order requiring the parent with the larger child support obligation to pay the net amount pursuant to the child support order. 13. NAME CHANGE: When a divorce is granted, the Court shall, if the person so desires, restore any name that the person had before the marriage. This package is only for use by parties seeking to terminate their marriage through the Dissolution of Marriage procedure. The material presented on Divorce is solely for information purposes. For more information, see the Ohio Divorce Law Summary. FORM LIST The following forms are included in this package. 1. Petition for Dissolution (OH-812D) 2. Separation Agreement (OH-DO-11A) 3. Affidavit of Income, Expenses and Financial Disclosure (OH-805D) 4. Waiver of Legal Representation (OH-814D) 5. W aiver of Service of Summons (OH-815D) 6. Affidavit in Compliance with ORC 3127.23 (OH-817D) 7. Child Support Worksheet - Sole/Shared Parenting (OH-818D) 8. Child Support Worksheet – Parenting Plan (OH-819D) 9. Health Insurance Disclosure Affidavit (OH-820D) 10. Child Support Deduction Order (if necessary, obtain from Clerk of Court) 11. Spousal Support Deduction Order (if necessary, obtain from Clerk of Court) 12. Judgment Entry of Dissolution of Marriage (OH-816D) FORM EXPLANATIONS All forms included in this package are identified below. 1. Petition for Dissolution (OH-812D) – This is the document to use in order to request that the court dissolve your marriage. This must be filed with the clerk of court in your initial filing of documents. 2. Separation Agreement (OH-DO-11A) – The document in which you set out the specifics of your marriage dissolution, including division of property and debts, all of which must be agreed to and signed by each spouse. This must be filed with the clerk of court in your initial filing of documents. This form is presented as a guide and should be modified to include all issues that need to be resolved between you and your Spouse. 3. Affidavit of Income, Expenses and Financial Disclosure (OH-805D) – In this document, you and your spouse disclose and estimate the value of all of your assets, debts and other financial information. Each party must complete this form. 4. Waiver of Legal Representation (OH-814D) – This document indicates that you and your spouse understand that each of you could seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, but you have chosen not to. This must be filed with the clerk of court in your initial filing of documents. 5. Waiver of Service of Summons (OH-815D) – This document indicates that both you and your spouse have agreed to dissolve the marriage and are aware of the court proceedings, thereby making formal service of process unnecessary. This must be filed with the clerk of court in your initial filing of documents. 6. Affidavit in Compliance with ORC 3127.23 (OH-817D) – This form is used to provide the Court with information regarding the location of the child(ren) and any child custody proceeding that is pending or has been decided in some other Court. 7. Child Support Worksheet - Sole/Shared Parenting (OH-818D) – The Child Support Worksheet is used to calculate the child support obligation of the parents when there is a sole residential parent or when there is a shared parenting agreement. 8. Child Support Worksheet - Parenting (OH-819D)- The Child Support Worksheet is used to calculate the child support obligation of the parents when there is a split parenting agreement. 9. Health Insurance Disclosure Affidavit (OH-820D) – This form is used to provide the Court with all relevant health insurance information of the parties. 10. Child Support Deduction Order – This form is used by the Court to order that a portion of a party’s wages be withheld to pay the child support obligation of that party. This form must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county of filing. 11. Spousal Support Deduction Order – This form is used by the Court to order that a portion of a party’s wages be withheld to pay the spousal support obligation of that party. This form must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county of filing. 12. Judgment Entry of Dissolution of Marriage (OH-816D) – This form grants the dissolution of marriage, along with any other relief requested by the parties. You must provide to the clerk with your initial filing. Bring copies of this document to your final dissolution hearing. Once signed by the judge and filed with the court, it represents the completion of the dissolution of your marriage. The Decree incorporates all the terms of the Separation Agreement previously signed and filed with the court by you and your spouse. You must attach a copy of the signed Separation Agreement to the Decree. INSTRUCTIONS AND STEPS STEP 1: In cooperation with your spouse, complete the following forms:  Petition for Dissolution (OH-812D)  Separation Agreement (OH-DO-11A)  Affidavit of Income, Expenses and Financial Disclosure (OH- 805D)  Waiver of Legal Representation (OH-814D)  Waiver of Service of Summons (OH-815D)  Affidavit in Compliance with ORC 3127.23 (OH-817D)  Child Support Worksheet - Sole/Shared Parenting (OH-818D) or Child Support Worksheet - Parenting (OH-819D)  Health Insurance Disclosure Affidavit (OH-820D)  Judgment Entry of Dissolution of Marriage (OH-816D) You must also obtain from the Clerk of Court a Child Support Deduction Order and, if necessary, a Spousal Support Deduction Order . STEP 2: Make 3 copies of these completed documents (the original to be filed with the court, two copies for yourself and one for your spouse). Bring these documents to the court clerk for filing. Ask the clerk to stamp your copies in addition to the originals which the clerk will keep. Give your spouse’s copies to him or her. You will either receive the hearing date when you file the Petition for Dissolution (OH-812D) or you will receive one soon thereafter. You must complete all sections of the Judgment Entry of Dissolution (OH-816D) that you can complete and provide it to the Clerk at the time the Petition (OH-812D) is provided. Check with your court clerk to determine if there is an updated version of any of the forms that you need (these are regularly updated), or if the forms in this packet are sufficient. Do not be afraid to ask questions of the clerk – although not permitted to give legal advice, he or she is a valuable resource to consult if you are unclear on any procedures. Be sure to ask the clerk for the exact amount of the filing fee necessary to file the dissolution papers. STEP 3: When your court date arrives, you and your spouse must appear in court before the judge. Bring your copies of your previously filed documents, and bring copies of the Judgment Entry of Dissolution of Marriage (OH-816D) . This is the document the judge will sign to finalize the dissolution of your marriage. STEP 4: At the hearing, when your case is called, you should take the lead, telling the judge your name and where you reside, that you voluntarily signed the Separation Agreement (OH-DO-11A) , that you believe it is fair, and that you request that your marriage be dissolved on that basis. Your spouse should repeat the same information. The judge will look over your filings and may have a few questions. He or she will sign the Judgment Entry of Dissolution (OH-816D) , and you must file this with the clerk of court, keeping a stamped “filed” copy for your records (your spouse also should obtain a stamped “filed copy from the clerk). Your marriage is now dissolved. Additional Notes: Depending upon the county of filing, there may be additional forms required or county specific versions of the forms provided in this package. Make certain to consult with the Clerk of Court regarding this issue. Depending upon the county of filing, the parties may be required to attend a Parent Education Class. If so, both parties usually must attend and file a certificate of completion prior to the Court issuing a decree of dissolution. Make certain to consult with the Clerk of Court regarding this issue. CHECKLIST In cooperation with spouse, following forms completed:  Petition for Dissolution (OH-812D)  Separation Agreement (OH-DO-11A)  Affidavit of Income, Expenses and Financial Disclosure (OH-805D)  Waiver of Legal Representation (OH-814D)  Waiver of Service of Summons (OH-815D)  Affidavit in Compliance with ORC 3127.23 (OH-817D)  Child Support Worksheet - Sole/Shared Parenting (OH-818D) or Child Support Worksheet - Parenting (OH-819D)  Health Insurance Disclosure Affidavit (OH-820D)  Judgment Entry of Dissolution of Marriage (OH-816D) Child Support Deduction Order and, if necessary, a Spousal Support Deduction Order obtained from Clerk and completed. 3 copies made of completed documents. Documents filed with Clerk. Filing fee paid. Hearing date obtained. Both parties attend hearing. Copies of all documents brought to hearing. At the hearing, the judge will review the filings and may ask a few questions. Judge signs the Judgment Entry of Dissolution (OH-816D) . Judgment Entry of Dissolution (OH-816D) filed with clerk of court; keeping a stamped “filed” copy for your records (your spouse also should obtain a stamped “filed copy from the clerk). NOTE ABOUT COMPLETING THE FORMS The forms in this packet contain “form fields” created using Microsoft Word. “Form fields” facilitate completion of the forms using your computer. They do not limit you ability to print the form “in blank” and complete with a typewriter or by hand. If you do not see the gray shaded form fields, go the View menu, click on Toolbars, and then select Forms. This will open the forms toolbar. Look for the button on the forms toolbar that resembles a shaded letter “a”. Click in this button and the form fields will be visible. The forms are locked which means that the content of the forms cannot be changed. You can only fill in the information in the fields. If you need to make any changes in the body of the form, it is necessary for you “unlock” or “unprotect” the form. IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CONTENT, DO SO BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO FILL IN THE FIELDS. IF YOU UNLOCK THE DOCUMENT AFTER YOU HAVE BEGUN TO COMPLETE THE FIELDS, WHEN YOU RELOCK, ALL INFORMATION YOU ENTERED WILL BE LOST. To unlock, click on “Tools” in the Menu bar and then selecting “unprotect document”. You may then be prompted to enter a password. If so, the password is “uslf”. That is uslf in lower case letters without the quotation marks . After you make the changes relock the document before you begin to complete the fields. After any required changes and re-protecting the document, click on the first form field and enter the required information. You will be able to navigate through the document from form field to form field using your tab key. Tab to a form field and insert your data. If you experience problems, please let us know. LAW SUMMARY You may access the law summary for your State by using the link below: http://secure.uslegalforms.com/lawsummary/OH/OH-006-D.htm DISCLAIMER These materials were developed by U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. based upon statutes and forms for the subject state. All Information and Forms are subject to this Disclaimer: All forms in this package are provided without any warranty, express or implied, as to their legal effect and completeness. Please use at your own risk. If you have a serious legal problem we suggest that you consult an attorney. U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. does not provide legal advice. The products offered by U.S. Legal Forms (USLF) are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF ANY KIND INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL U. S. LEGAL FORMS, INC. OR ITS AGENTS OR OFFICERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE MATERIALS, EVEN IF U.S. LEGAL FORMS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THESE FORMS WERE PREPARED FOR STATEWIDE USE. HOWEVER, SOME COUNTIES OR JUDGES MAY REQUIRE CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS TO THE FORMS FOR USE IN YOUR PARTICULAR COUNTY AND MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL FORMS NOT INCLUDED. CHANGES REQUIRED BY PARTICULAR JUDGES ARE NOT UNCOMMON EVEN IF THE FORMS HAD BEEN PREPARED BY YOUR ATTORNEY. REGARDLESS, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THESE FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS, WITH ANY REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS, TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS. IF YOU NEED TO MAKE CHANGES, OR IF SPECIAL FORMS ARE REQUIRED IN YOUR COUNTY, YOU CAN MAKE THE CHANGES AND REFILE, OR OBTAIN THE SPECIAL FORMS EITHER FROM THE CLERK OR A CLOSED DIVORCE FILE WHICH YOU CAN USE AS AN EXAMPLE.