Divorce

Cincinnati, Ohio, Divorce Lawyers

At Drew & Ward, lawyers from our family law group never lose sight of their role in divorce and dissolution of marriage — helping our client navigate the process with dignity, while resolving issues in ways that protect client's emotional and economic needs. As our client, you will be discussing extremely personal, critically important matters with your attorney. We consider it our job to help you focus on practical solutions and long-term consequences.

“Results in a domestic matter can have a profound impact on my client’s future, financial security, and family relationships. My priority is to be responsive and focused on the client’s needs.”

Attorney Michael D. McNeil

Attorneys in our family law practice have extensive experience in complex, high-asset divorce and dissolution proceedings, and work closely with attorneys from related areas to provide sophisticated solutions when necessary.

However, we are committed to resolving every client's divorce in the least stressful, most economical manner. It is extremely important that, if you are considering divorce or dissolution, you discuss your situation with an attorney early in the process, in order to preserve as many options as possible. Please contact our Cincinnati office if you would like to arrange a consultation. We also help non-traditional couples resolve issues when dissolving their relationships.

Divorce/dissolution: the collaborative process

Attorneys Michael McNeil and Fred Goeddel are trained collaborative lawyers. In the collaborative process, the spouses and their lawyers agree to a structured format for negotiating a settlement as an alternative to a divorce trial. For many families this process, designed to be non-adversarial, preserves family relationship and facilitates financial solutions. However, it is only effective when both parties act in good faith. An important part of our legal services will be advice on whether the collaborative process is appropriate for your situation.

Divorce and dissolution — what is the difference?

Dissolution: Ohio has two methods to terminate a marriage. In dissolution, the spouses come to agreement on all issues, including division of marital assets, payment of marital debts, custody, visitation, child support, and alimony (spousal support). These agreements are filed with a petition for dissolution, and the matter is set for a single court date, which both parties must attend.

Divorce: Divorce is a lawsuit filed by one spouse against the other and occurs when the spouses cannot agree on one or more issues whether it be custody or division of property. The complaint for divorce must include a statement of “grounds” or reasons for the divorce. Typically the term “incompatibility,” is used to describe any and all marital problems leading to a separation but other grounds can include adultery, gross neglect of duty and living separate and apart for more than one year.

Other than custody, disputed issues in divorce cases are heard and decided by magistrates. If either party feels the magistrate’s decision is wrong, unfair or unreasonable, the judge will hear an appeal. If parents fail to arrive at a custody agreement through mediation, a judge will conduct a child custody trial.

Proceedings that begin as divorce complaints are often resolved through negotiations between the parties and their legal counsel. As your legal counsel our attorneys will work to help you avoid the costs and delays of a divorce trial.

Our family law team: attorneys Richard G. Ward, Frederic L. Goeddel, Michael D. McNeil, and Nancy J. Frazier
paralegal Teri Denegar, and secretary Susan Annear

Related practice areas: family law, child custody, division of marital assets, prenuptial agreement, estate planning, wills and trusts, real estate, business law