Going through a divorce can be a stressful and uncertain process for many people. When a marriage ends, couples must address plenty of issues, including legal, financial, and personal matters. What are the top 10 issues in a divorce? Let’s look at the most common problems facing couples in the Buckeye State.
#1 – Splitting Marital Assets
When couples have to split their property, it can become contentious. Since Ohio is an equitable distribution state, that doesn’t mean there will be an equal split of these properties. Any estate acquired during the marriage will need to be divided, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings.
#2 – Child Custody and Visitation Arrangements
Along with property division, child custody issues can cause problems for divorcing couples. Parents (or the courts) will need to settle which party will have legal custody (decision-making authority) or physical custody (where the child resides).
While many people choose to have joint custody, there are other times when the issues need to be settled by the courts. One parent might not believe the other is fit to have custody, which can lead to a lengthy legal battle.
#3 – Calculating Child Support Obligations
In the state, the non-custodial parent must pay child support to the other. Sometimes, there are exceptions, such as the custodial parent having a higher income than the non-custodial one.
Determining who must pay and how much can cause issues in these cases. When settling these obligations, the courts consider each parent’s income, expenses, and the child’s requirements.
#4 – Resolving Spousal Support
Like child support and custody, if one spouse requests financial support that can lead to a few challenges. In Ohio, spousal support is awarded to one spouse based on factors like income disparity, duration of marriage, and financial need.
#5 – Managing Legal Fees and Costs
No matter who decides to divorce, both parties will incur legal fees. Divorce proceedings can be costly, and costs can be a barrier for some. During this time, couples must address attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses, which can lead to contentious disagreements.
#6 – Health Insurance and Medical Expenses
When a couple is together, they more than likely share health costs. However, after the separation, problems can arise with post-divorce insurance coverage. Decisions about coverage and responsibility for medical bills can create some headaches for divorcing partners.
#7 – Creating Comprehensive Parenting Plans
Once child custody is settled, creating a parenting plan that is fair to all parties can be difficult. These plans outline responsibilities, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority. With a well-structured plan, both parents remain involved in their child’s life. Of course, there is always the possibility of a dispute between the parents.
#8 – Dividing Marital Debts
Assets are not the only property that must be divided in Ohio. Any debts acquired during the marriage, such as credit card balances, loans, and mortgages, must be divided fairly. When it comes time to assign responsibility, it can cause a few conflicts to settle the divorce.
#9 – Understanding Potential Tax Implications
Unfortunately, divorce can affect taxes. Couples must consider property transfers, alimony payments, and whether to file jointly or separately. Not getting advice from a divorce lawyer or tax professional can lead to future tax return issues.
#10 – Coping with Emotional Challenges
Since a divorce is a major life-changing event, it can take an emotional toll on both parties. Coping with grief, anger, and uncertainty is part of the process, but it can lead to long-term problems if not addressed. By seeking counseling or joining support groups, this can provide much-needed emotional support during these stressful times.
Avoid These Problems in Your Divorce
The divorce process is prone to problems. But with the right planning and help from a skilled divorce layer, you can avoid many of these hassles. If you have run into any of these issues, 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.