You will probably have many concerns if you are heading towards a divorce. While residency requirements might not be at the top of your list, you still need to consider it for this legal process.
Maintaining (or proving) residency might seem like an easy process, but there are a few rules that you need to follow to ensure your divorce is filed in the right courthouse. Let’s take a look at Ohio’s residency requirements for divorce.
Types of Divorce in Ohio
In the Buckeye State, you could face one of two options: a contested divorce or an uncontested one.
An uncontested divorce is also known as the dissolution of marriage. This process is more streamlined, and it is available for couples who have agreed on all matters, including child custody, spousal support, and property division. In these cases, the couple will file the appropriate paperwork and sign documents to finance the divorce.
However, if there are disagreements, they may lead to a contested divorce. With that, both spouses will head to court to resolve any remaining issues concerning custody, support, and asset division.
No matter which option you choose, you need to make sure that you meet all of Ohio’s residency requirements for divorce. If you or your spouse don’t meet them, then you can be ineligible to file in a certain county or even the state.
Residency Requirements
If you want to file for divorce in Ohio, you need to meet specific residency criteria. The filing spouse must be a resident of Ohio for at least six months before filing the paperwork. With these rules, the state makes sure that Ohio courts have jurisdiction over the divorce proceedings.
Along with that, either spouse needs to have resided in a specific Ohio county before filing the complaint. Once again, this helps to ensure that the case will be heard in the correct court.
In the event that you or your spouse do not meet these requirements, it can lead to a full dismissal of your case.
Proving Ohio Residency
If you need to prove your residency in Ohio, you will need certain documents, such as:
- Proof of address: You must show that you live in Ohio. In most cases, you will need two official documents from different sources. You could use official government mail, bank statements, or utility bills to prove that you reside in a certain county and the state.
- Proof of identity: Along with that, you may also want to bring your Ohio identification card or driver’s license to prove your identity. You may also want to use your birth certificate or passport to help in the process.
These documents can go a long way to help you prove Ohio residency in your divorce case. If you don’t have any of them, you may want to hold off on filing your complaint.
Before you start the legal process, you want to make sure that everything is in place to show you are a resident of Ohio and a specific count in the state.
Learn More About Ohio Residency Requirements
If you want a hassle-free experience with your case, you need to know Ohio’s residency requirements for divorce. Whether you’re pursuing an uncontested dissolution or navigating a contested divorce, you may want to reach out to a family law attorney. These professionals can help you determine if you have met the proper requirements to start the process.
For those who have any questions, the team at Axelrod Law Office in Lake County, OH, is ready to help. Call our office at (440) 271-8126 or submit a contact form to schedule a free, confidential legal consultation.