Experienced In Dissolutions

We know the filing requirements and procedures for a petition for dissolution of marriage.  Our dissolution attorneys are experienced in local court dissolution filing procedures. The Peck Law Office has represented hundreds of individuals proceeding with a dissolution in Butler County, Hamilton County, Warren County, and Preble County Ohio. We have the experience and knowledge to ensure that your dissolution occurs efficiently and with as little frustration as possible. Attorneys handling dissolutions in Butler County Ohio must be experienced in Butler County, since Butler County's rules for dissolutions are complex and require specific language in order to be filed and proceed as a dissolution. Since we have ample experience in Butler County, we are often able to handle your dissolution as efficiently as possible. Call and schedule an appointment today.

Chances are; We Can Help.

Reasonable Fees. 

We charge reasonable attorney fees for dissolution matters.

 Efficient Filing.

 Experienced in procedures, our attorneys help ensure timely and efficient filing and finalization of your dissolution.

Communication.

 Our dissolution attorneys will explain legal terms to you so that you understand the meaning and effect of your agreement.  The benefit of hiring an attorney to represent you in your dissolution is to ensure that your legal rights are protected.  In order for your rights to be protected and ensured, you and your dissolution attorney must have effective communication.  It is imperative that you understand your rights and all terminology used in the dissolution documents.   The termination of a marriage, even through the amicable process of a dissolution, requires a full agreement and understanding of how assets and debts will be divided or allocated.  This may include; non marital separate assets, marital assets, debts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, bank funds on deposit, business interest(s), or other asset or liability.   If you and your spouse have minor children, a dissolution requires a full allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.  This is much more complex than it appears, even with a full agreement.  An experienced dissolution attorney will help you navigate through the legal terminology used for property division, custody arrangements, child visitation schedules, and child support related matters. 

A dissolution of marriage requires:

• A Full Agreement: Each spouse must agree to all terms regarding property, debts, assets, and parenting rights.  Each spouse must understand, agree to, and sign all documents setting forth the agreement(s).

• Approval By The Court: Not only must you and your spouse enter into the agreement, but the Court must also determine that the agreement is fair, equitable, and in the child's best interests.

• Disclosure of Assets, Debts, and Income: Each spouse must completely, accurately, and under oath complete financial and property affidavits.

• Parenting Class: Each spouse must register for and complete a parenting class (if minor children).

• Attendance at a Final Hearing:

Each spouse must attend the final dissolution hearing in court.

In order to determine if a dissolution is the best way to terminate your marriage, consider:

Are you in contact with your spouse and have the two of you discussed general terms regarding how you are going to divide property?

 Have you and your spouse discussed custody, parenting time, and child support in regards to the minor children of the marriage?

Do you firmly believe that your spouse will be cooperative with the dissolution process? 

Are you certain that you are fully aware of all assets that are owned by your spouse?

Many people seeking to terminate their marriage believe that a dissolution is always a cheaper method used to terminate a marriage. Although this is usually true, making the decision to proceed with a dissolution should only be made after much consideration and after having consulted with an experienced dissolution attorney. Since the filing of a decree of dissolution becomes a final court order that generally cannot be undone, it is very important that you understand the permanent ramifications of terminating your marriage through a dissolution, as opposed to a divorce.   

Most importantly, if the parties in a marriage have substantial assets, a heightened sense of caution must be exercised when proceeding with a dissolution of marriage. The reason for this is due to the less stringent, or largely absent, discovery process involved in a dissolution of marriage. In a divorce, the discovery process allows each party to become aware of all assets that may be owned by one or both spouses. Although spouses in many healthy marriages may not hide assets from the other spouse, let's face it, you are here because your marriage is not a healthy marriage. Moreover, even a spouse in a healthy marriage may take on a certain role in the marriage. One spouse's role may be to ensure that bills are paid each month. One spouse's role may be to handle the nest egg or investment account. Over time, as these roles become more separate and defined, it is not uncommon for one spouse to be left in the dark as it relates to the full extent of the investment accounts, or in some extreme cases; of the ownership of real property. 

In a dissolution of marriage, there is a higher degree of good faith reliance upon each spouse's representations as it relates to the disclosure of assets and debts. In order to proceed with a dissolution of marriage, each spouse must be firmly certain that he or she is fully aware of all assets and debts that are owned by each spouse.

*Note the use of "Generally" in the above table.  Please be aware that no two cases present that same circumstances.  For this reason, some circumstances may cause a dissolution to require more attorney fees than would a divorce filing.  Further, some dissolutions may take longer to finalize than a divorce. Largely, this is due to the extent of terms that are agreed upon by you and your spouse at the time that you contact an attorney.  Much of the time, although parties believe that they have agreed to all terms, they have not discussed everything that is required to be addressed in a dissolution.