Columbus, OH Divorce Lawyers
Divorce can affect your children, your finances, your home, and your future. You need clear answers, a practical strategy, and an attorney who understands what is at stake.
If you are on this page, you are probably looking for answers at a difficult time. That is completely normal.
At Borshchak Law Group, we help clients in Columbus and Central Ohio understand their options, protect what matters most, and move forward with a clearer plan.
Divorce is one of the most emotionally charged experiences a person can face – especially when children are involved. Strong emotions can lead to decisions that feel right in the moment but carry long-term consequences. Our job is to help you stay grounded. We work tirelessly to ensure every client we represent makes calculated, informed decisions that protect their future and insulate them from unnecessary risk.
Your Goals Shape Our Approach
Some cases are resolved through agreement. Others involve disputes over property, support, parenting, or the terms of the divorce itself. During your consultation, we can help you understand which path fits your situation, timeline, and priorities.
In Ohio, ending a marriage usually happens through either divorce or dissolution. The right option depends on whether both spouses agree on all major terms. Ohio law recognizes multiple grounds for divorce, including Incompatibility, and allows dissolution when both spouses file together with a full agreement.
A divorce begins when one spouse files a complaint asking the court to end the marriage. It may be contested or uncontested, and it can involve disputes over parenting, support, property, debt, or legal grounds. Ohio law allows divorce on specific causes, including Incompatibility by either party.
A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more major issues – such as property division, parenting arrangements, or spousal support. The court steps in to resolve disputed matters, which typically means more time, more cost, and a greater need for experienced legal representation.
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues but one spouse initiates the filing. Unlike dissolution, an uncontested divorce still follows the divorce process – but agreement on terms can significantly reduce time and cost.
To file for divorce in Ohio, the plaintiff must have lived in the state for at least six months immediately before filing.
Most divorce cases come down to a few major issues. Understanding them early can help you make better decisions throughout the process.
Ohio follows an equitable division framework for marital property. Courts often begin with equal division, but may divide property differently if equal division would be inequitable. Courts may also address financial misconduct, including concealment, dissipation, or fraudulent transfer of assets.
Spousal support is not automatic in Ohio. If requested, the court may award reasonable support after considering statutory factors such as income, earning ability, age, health, duration of the marriage, standard of living, assets, debts, and other relevant circumstances. Temporary support may also be awarded while the case is pending.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3109.04(F)(1), the court may allocate parental rights and responsibilities based on the child’s best interests. Depending on the circumstances, the court may approve shared parenting or designate one parent as residential parent and legal custodian.
Uncovering hidden assets, tracing funds, and analyzing complex financial records to ensure nothing is missed.
Evaluating the tax implications of asset division, spousal support, and settlement terms so you understand the full financial picture.
Providing defensible, court-ready valuations of businesses, partnerships, and professional practices.
Accurately valuing the marital home and all real property interests to support a fair division.
Offering expert insight on parenting arrangements and the best interests of children in contested custody matters.
Including forensic examiners, former FBI agents, and other specialists when the complexity of a case demands it.
In Ohio, all property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be marital property and subject to division - unless a party can prove otherwise. Separate property includes assets owned before the marriage, inheritances, and gifts received by one spouse, provided they have not been commingled with marital assets. Ohio courts will equally divide marital assets and debts unless such equal division would be unfair. A detail-oriented attorney will trace, identify, and establish your separate property so that it is protected and your spouse does not receive property to which they are not entitled.
Divorces involving marriages of 20 years or longer carry unique challenges. The amount of accumulated property - real estate, retirement accounts, pensions, investments, and personal assets - requires thorough identification and valuation. For older couples, issues like Social Security benefits, retirement income, and healthcare coverage add further complexity. These financial decisions can have life-altering consequences if not handled carefully by an experienced attorney.
Most divorce settlements are final once approved by the court. However, certain terms can be revisited if the court retained jurisdiction to modify them. Spousal support and child-related matters are the most common areas subject to post-decree modification. Property division, on the other hand, generally cannot be modified after a final decree unless both parties agree or the court specifically retained jurisdiction over those terms.
Ohio law allows divorce on specific legal grounds. In many cases, incompatibility is the most practical route. In others, the facts may shape strategy, negotiations, or the issues that need to be addressed in court. Ohio lists causes including adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, imprisonment at the time of filing, living separate and apart for one year without cohabitation, and Incompatibility.
This ground generally refers to serious failure to fulfill marital obligations. Whether it applies depends on the facts, the available proof, and the overall strategy in the case.
Adultery is one of the statutory grounds for divorce in Ohio. In some cases, it may matter more to settlement posture or case strategy than to the final outcome on every issue.
Every case is different. The right legal strategy depends on the facts, the evidence, and the issues that matter most in your case.
Understanding how Ohio law handles these related matters can help you prepare for the decisions ahead. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3109.04(F)(1), the court allocates parental rights and responsibilities based on the child’s best interests.
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
Yes. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex couples in Ohio have the same rights to marry – and to divorce – as any other couple. All the same legal processes, property division rules, custody standards, and support considerations apply equally to same-sex divorces in Ohio.
High-asset divorces involving business interests, investment portfolios, real estate holdings, stock options, or complex financial arrangements require specialized legal and financial expertise. Borshchak Law Group works with forensic accountants, business valuators, CPAs, and other experts to ensure your assets are accurately valued and fairly divided.
If you are considering divorce in Columbus or Central Ohio, start by getting reliable information about your rights, your options, and the issues most likely to affect your future.