DWS Law
Dittmer, Wagoner & Steele LLC.

Call Us Today: 614-800-2400

Caring And Courteous Attorneys Committed To Resolve Your Issue
2023 U.S News "Best Law Firms"
Tier 1 in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers | Rising Stars

Caring And Courteous Attorneys Committed To Resolve Your Issue

  • Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers | Rising Stars

Do you need to give a reason (grounds) for a divorce in Ohio?

On Behalf of | Feb 14, 2022 | Divorce

Many different issues or events can lead to a divorce in Gahanna, Ohio. Sometimes, a couple merely grows apart or falls out of love with one another. Other times, something occurs within a marriage that one or even both spouses cannot overcome.

Ohio and other states now offer couples that want to divorce some form of a no-fault option to end the marriage. In most situations, a no-fault divorce is the simplest way to sever a union legally. However, when a no-fault divorce attempt fails, there are still several grounds a spouse can use to end an undesirable marriage.

Why would you need grounds to divorce?

The basis for a no-fault divorce in the state is incompatibility. However, if you file for a divorce because of incompatibility and your spouse disagrees, you may need to cite a specific ground before you can move forward with your plans. Examples of the acceptable divorce grounds available to those in Ohio include:

  • Acts of adultery by a spouse
  • Extreme cruelty or violence in the marriage
  • Habitual drunkenness (alcoholism) on the part of the spouse
  • An undissolved prior marriage exists
  • Any gross neglect of (marital) duty
  • Desertion or abandonment by a spouse for at least a year
  • Spousal confinement in a federal or state prison
  • Acts of fraudulence in the marriage
  • The couple has lived separate and apart for at least a year

If you tried to get a no-fault divorce and your spouse refused to cooperate, learning more about Ohio divorce laws can guide you toward a solution. Knowledge and understanding of these laws can empower people to choose the most applicable fault ground to cite when seeking a divorce.