Ending a relationship can be frustrating. Likewise, understanding the process involved can be confusing. In Ohio, there are only three ways legally to terminate a marriage: divorce, dissolution, and annulment. While those three ways are the only methods to terminate a marriage legally, a couple can also seek what is known as a “legal separation.”
Black’s Law Dictionary defines separation as “an arrangement whereby a husband and wife live apart from each other while remaining married, either by mutual consent (often in a written agreement) or by judicial decree.” A legal separation involves a court order where the spouses remain married but live separately. The court order allows the court to issue orders concerning division of property, spousal support, and visitation and custody when there are minor children involved. With a legal separation, unlike a divorce or dissolution, the marriage is still intact.
A common misunderstanding is that individuals can simply declare they are separated and do not need to file anything in court when they wish to pursue a legal separation. Though understandable, this is not the case.
In Ohio, the grounds for filing for a legal separation are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17. To initiate a legal separation in Ohio, either party to the marriage must file a complaint for legal separation. The complaint must allege one or more of ten grounds for why the separation should occur, which can include, but is not limited to, adultery, incompatibility, extreme cruelty, and/or habitual drunkenness.
However, the filing of a complaint for legal separation by one party does not bar the other party from filing a complaint or counterclaim for, and potentially obtaining, a divorce or annulment.
The main difference between a legal separation and a divorce is the effect on the marriage. A legal separation leaves the marriage intact, while a divorce ends the marriage. Additionally, the couple must reside in Ohio for at least 6 months before they can file for divorce or dissolution. This residency requirement is not required to file for legal separation. Another difference is the “un-do” process. With a legal separation, the couple can reverse their legal separation, but generally with a divorce, the final divorce decree is what it says: final.
Despite these key differences, there are several similarities. For example, the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure apply in both actions for divorce and legal separation. Additionally, issues addressed during a legal separation and a divorce proceeding are relatively similar. The couple takes very similar action to if they were to file for a divorce when they file for a legal separation.
It is important to note that, in the eyes of the law, the marriage is not legally terminated. As such, a legal separation can end up costing you more time and money if you later decide to file for divorce.
For example, since the marriage is still intact, a legal separation does not allow a spouse to remarry because the previous marriage has not ended. A legal separation would not be ideal for a couple who know they will want to remarry because there is little to no chance of reconciliation with their current spouse.
Deciding what is best for you and your family are hard decisions to make. Fully discussing your options with an experienced family law attorney will help you determine what is best for your situation. The attorneys at Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues are dedicated to helping each client determine what is the “best” decision for him or her! Contact our office at 937 293-2141 to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our dedicated divorce attorneys today!
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