Grounds for Divorce in Ohio Law

There are three ways to dissolve a marriage in Ohio.

When you seek a divorce in Ohio, there are three main ways to dissolve your marriage: annulment, dissolution and divorce. These depend on the grounds of divorce cited, proven by the testimony of the plaintiff and corroborated by a witness.

Annulment

This method is not commonly used but may be used on religious grounds. Annulment renders the marriage nullified from the beginning. Grounds include bigamy and any other condition that would have rendered you or your spouse unqualified to legally enter into marriage, such as not being of age or mental incompetence.

Dissolution

A dissolution of marriage occurs when the divorce is considered "no fault." This is used in the cases of incompatibility or if you and your spouse have lived apart for one year with no cohabitation.

Divorce

Divorce requires grounds that are considered "fault." These grounds include willful abandonment, adultery, extreme cruelty or imprisonment. Other behavior, such as gross negligence, drunkenness and fraudulent conduct may also be used as grounds in "fault" divorce.

References

• Divorce Net: Ohio Divorce FAQs
• Ohio Divorce Source: Grounds for Divorce
• Ohio Legal Services: Annulment