Cleveland Divorce Lawyer

Cleveland Divorce Attorney

While it’s an incredibly difficult and emotional situation, it’s important that you consult an experienced Cleveland divorce lawyer when you’re ready to take formal steps to end your marriage. Whether you were presented with papers or you’re the spouse who is looking to file, a skilled divorce lawyer from our firm can guide you through the Ohio divorce process and ensure your rights and interests are protected along the way.

Your Cleveland Divorce Firm

At Nowlin Family Law, our dedicated team has spent years compassionately guiding Cleveland residents through difficult divorces. We are well aware of how emotionally challenging and stressful these cases can become, which is why we work to provide superior legal support throughout every step of your divorce. Our team can assist you in finding resolutions to issues such as property division, child support, spousal support, child custody, and more.

The Main Aspects of an Ohio Divorce

While every divorce is different, it’s important that you hold a firm understanding of the various legal areas you need to address throughout your case. Working with an experienced Cleveland family lawyer can help you better understand your rights and how to address each divorce matter carefully. The following are the most common issues addressed in Cleveland divorce cases:

• Property Division. The state of Ohio divides property in divorce following equitable distribution guidelines. This means that all marital property that spouses share will be divided fairly but not necessarily exactly equal.
• Child Custody. If you’re going through a Cleveland divorce with children, it’s crucial that you work with a lawyer who can help you secure a child custody agreement that you and your children are comfortable with.
• Child Support. Whether you have shared parenting or sole custody, child support will likely be an important matter in your Cleveland divorce. Our team can assist you in navigating the Ohio child support process and advocate for the funds you need and to which you are entitled.
• Spousal Support. If you believe you need spousal support to care for yourself, our team can work with you to request it from your Cleveland domestic relations court. Conversely, if your soon-to-be-ex requested spousal support, we can help you determine whether the request is fair and advocate for you in court.

Contested and Uncontested Divorces in Ohio: Which Is Right for You?

While thinking of the various aspects of your divorce isn’t easy, it’s crucial that you take the proper legal steps to ensure your final settlement addresses your needs. In some scenarios, separating couples are still amicable enough with each other to make agreements on all divorce matters outside of court. If you are able to do this in Cleveland, Ohio you can file for an uncontested divorce and provide the court with the terms you came up with. If the court approves, they’ll finalize it.

Additionally, if the parties are amicable, you can also discuss an amicable dissolution (a no-fault divorce) or a collaborative divorce (collaborative negotiation) with a well-informed Cleveland attorney. Collaborative divorces allow separating couples in Ohio to use alternative dispute resolution methods and work together to avoid court and make agreements on their divorce.

However, in many cases, separating couples in Ohio are unable to make agreements on their own and need to file what is known as a contested divorce. When a divorce in Cleveland is contested, it generally requires couples to go through litigation. Divorce litigation is the legal process of providing evidence and discussing your individual needs with your legal representation and a family judge. The judge then makes the ultimate decision on each issue of your divorce.

Are You Able to Avoid Court During a Cleveland Divorce?

Luckily, not every Cleveland divorce case has to go through litigation. In many scenarios, couples can use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to make compromises and agreements outside of family court. Using ADR methods not only helps to streamline the Ohio divorce process but also allows separating couples to avoid court and potentially lower divorce costs and the emotional toll on everyone involved.

If you’re considering using an ADR for your Cleveland divorce, it’s important to collaborate with your counsel to discuss all possible options for dissolving your marriage. Your lawyer can provide you with informed advice as to which method may be right for you and can also be your advocate whenever needed.

The most common ADR methods used in Ohio are mediation and arbitration. Mediation is a confidential process often used to resolve family law disputes without going to court. A trusted Cleveland mediation lawyer can help facilitate this process by working with a neutral mediator to create a constructive environment where both spouses can discuss their needs and reach fair compromises.

Arbitration is similar to mediation in that it allows a neutral third party to hear evidence outside of court from both spouses. However, an arbitrator has the power to make the final decisions after hearing evidence, and they can make a formal, final judgment for your divorce. A mediator can only guide spouses to create agreements, which then need to be verified by the family court. If you’re considering using an ADR, discuss your options with our firm today.

Why You Need a Skilled Cleveland Divorce Lawyer

An experienced family lawyer can represent your interests and guide you as you make major decisions that can impact you and your family’s future. Just a few of the different ways our team at Nowlin Family Law can assist you include:

• Assist you in filling out and filing your legal documents, ensuring you meet all requirements and deadlines adequately
• Gather financial statements and other financial records that help build your case
• Prepare asset inventories and ensure your assets are valued and protected properly
• Obtain evidence about your living situation and unique needs
• Guide you through each legal proceeding, working to ensure you don’t make mistakes that could delay your case or cause a negative outcome
• Explain how specific actions might have legal consequences and help you determine which steps are right for you
• Prepare a legal strategy tailored to your unique case
• Help you feel confident when making decisions about your own divorce
• Advocate for you and your family’s interests during the divorce

An experienced lawyer from our firm can help you through every step of your Cleveland divorce. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner they can begin to support you and fight for your interests. No matter what step of the divorce process you may be in, make sure that you have a trusted lawyer by your side.

FAQs

Nowlin Family Law: Experienced Cleveland Divorce Representation

Every divorce comes with emotional, financial, and personal stress. Luckily, the team at Nowlin Family Law is here so that you don’t have to go through the Cleveland divorce process alone. Our comprehensive knowledge of family law allows us to protect our clients’ rights, families, and assets throughout complex divorces and disputes. Our compassionate team is prepared to provide you with superior support and representation throughout every aspect of your divorce.

Contact Nowlin Family Law to schedule a consultation and learn more about our Cleveland divorce services.