This page provides library resources and links to Ohio laws about terminating a marriage through a dissolution. Please refer to the Dissolution without Children and the Dissolution with Children tabs of this guide for legal forms for obtaining a dissolution.
Please refer to the Ohio Divorce Law guide on this website for forms and information about obtaining a divorce.
Attorneys with a Franklin County Law Library card may check out these books. Other members of the public may use them in the Franklin County Law Library. The Library maintains the current edition of each of these books, unless otherwise noted.
Anderson's Ohio Family Law by Also available as an ebook for attorneys with Franklin County Law Library cards.
Baldwin's Ohio Domestic Relations Law by 
Child Custody & Visitation: Law and Practice by 
Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce without Litigation by 
Complete QDRO Handbook: Dividing ERISA, Military, and Civil Service Pensions and Collection Child Support from Employee Benefit Plans by 
Domestic Relations Journal of Ohio by 
Equitable Division of Property by 
Family Law and Practice by 
Family Law Checklists by 
Ohio Domestic Relations Practice Manual by 
Ohio Family Law Handbook by 
Ohio Family Law Institute by 
Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations by 
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders by 
Qualified Domestic Relations Order Handbook by 
Valuation of Divorce Assets by 
Valuation Strategies in Divorce by A dissolution of marriage eliminates much of the divorce process and expense. Unlike a divorce, fault is not an issue. Dissolution is often described as no-fault divorce.
A dissolution petition is not filed with the court until the parties have reached an agreement on all the issues that must be addressed. Custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, division of property, payment of debts, and payment of attorney fees must be considered.
While the parties are negotiating, there is no subpoena power available, so the parties must voluntarily trade information. Professionals can, however, be hired as experts in valuation of property, or for help in crafting a parenting plan.
After filing their petition for dissolution, the parties must wait at least 30 days before the court will hear their case.The case must be heard within 90 days of filing. Both parties must appear and testify that they are satisfied with the agreement; that they have made full disclosure of all assets and liabilities; that they have voluntarily signed the agreement; and that they both want the marriage ended. The court must approve the parties' agreement.
Because there is no court involvement until an agreement is reached, all the temporary orders and possible hearings that might occur in a divorce case are avoided. The end result of both a divorce and a dissolution of marriage is the same: the marriage is terminated.
Doing research on a legal issue can sometimes lead to more questions. Sometimes you need legal advice. Legal advice is given by licensed attorney and not librarians. Users may also want to consult attorney and firm directories listed under the Reference tab of the Free Websites for Legal Research guide.
