Separation in Montgomery County

In Ohio, some people seek a legal separation because they realize there are marital issues that need to be changed, however, they are not absolutely sure they want to totally terminate their marital relationship with their spouse.

In those cases, the parties may later convert their legal separation action into a divorce action, or obtaining a decree of legal separation may be a preliminary step toward later obtaining a divorce decree.

However, other people file an action for a legal separation instead of a divorce action because they object to divorce for personal or religious reasons, or because they want their spouse to remain fully responsible for their financial support, health insurance coverage, etc.

How Do I File for a Legal Separation?

A complaint requesting a legal separation must be filed in the domestic relations division of the local common pleas court, or if there is no domestic relations division, in the general division of the common pleas court.

The parties may enter into a separation agreement that addresses issues such as spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, property division, and/or payment of marital debts.

If there is no separation agreement, the court, after hearing testimony and taking evidence, will determine child custody and visitation and, as appropriate, order spousal support, child support, and division of the marital property and debt. 

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