Columbus Divorce & Family Lawyers
Divorce in Ohio can be a dissolution that takes weeks or a contested case that takes a year, and the difference is usually decided in the first month. Our family team handles divorce, dissolution, child custody, parenting time, and support modifications across Franklin, Delaware, and Union counties. We push for negotiated outcomes first because they are faster, cheaper, and easier on children; when trial is the only path, we have tried custody and property cases in every domestic relations court in Central Ohio.
What we handle
- Divorce and dissolution
- Child custody and parenting plans
- Child and spousal support (and modifications)
- Property and retirement division
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Civil protection orders
How your case will run
- 1
Strategy consult
A 45-minute session where we map your assets, custody goals, and the realistic range of outcomes before you spend anything on filings.
- 2
Filing & temporary orders
We secure temporary custody, support, and exclusive-use orders early, because the temporary order often shapes the final one.
- 3
Negotiate, then litigate
Most of our cases settle at or before mediation. If yours can't, the trial prep started on day one.
Fees, stated plainly
Uncontested dissolutions start at a flat fee. Contested matters are billed hourly with a written estimate at intake and monthly itemized statements. You will never wonder where your retainer went.
Common questions about family law & divorce
How much does a divorce cost in Ohio?
In Ohio, an uncontested dissolution typically costs $1,500–$3,500 in attorney fees plus roughly $300–$400 in court filing fees, while a contested divorce commonly runs $7,000–$15,000 and can exceed $25,000 if custody or a business valuation is disputed. The single biggest cost driver is not your lawyer's hourly rate. It is how much you and your spouse leave for the court to decide.
How long does a divorce take in Ohio?
An Ohio dissolution can be final in as little as 30–90 days after filing. A contested divorce without children typically takes 4–12 months; with children or disputed property, 12–18 months is common in Franklin County, and complex cases can run longer.
Who gets custody in an Ohio divorce?
Ohio courts allocate parental rights based on the child's best interest. There is no automatic preference for mothers or fathers. Courts weigh each parent's involvement, the child's adjustment to home and school, each parent's willingness to facilitate the other's parenting time, and, for older children, the child's own wishes.
How is spousal support calculated in Ohio?
Ohio has no fixed spousal support formula. Judges weigh 14 statutory factors, including each spouse's income and earning ability, the length of the marriage, the standard of living, and contributions to the other's career, and award an amount and duration that varies significantly by county and judge. A common informal benchmark in Central Ohio is one year of support for every three years of marriage, but it is a starting point, not a rule.