Divorce is one of the most emotionally and financially draining processes a family goes through. It’s not easy to make a separation legal, so you need someone who can help guide you through the process. A Columbus divorce attorney can help you with your legal matters when it comes to divorce.

During the divorce process, it’s critical to have legal representation you can trust. It’s important to find the right attorney, someone who has the skills and experience needed to guide you through a contentious and complicated situation. 

Here are some helpful questions to ask when you come in contact with a divorce lawyer in Columbus, Ohio.

1. How long does a divorce take?

It could take anywhere from a few months to several years to come to terms with the end of your marriage. While this is likely the most important question, it’s important to find out how quickly you can expect things to happen versus how quickly the process will progress.

Many people are in shock when they learn that a divorce takes so many years. The litigation process can be incredibly long, especially if couples have unsympathetic spouses and a high number of assets for lawyers to go through.

2. What is the difference between divorce and dissolution?

While you might use these as interchangeable terms, there’s actually a difference between the two. Divorce is the separation of two people whereas dissolution is the end of a marriage by way of annulment. In other words, if you want to get rid of your wife or husband, only divorce is the way to go.

3. How much does a divorce cost?

The cost of your divorce will highly depend on several factors. It’s important to understand that there may be many fees involved with the legal process. These fees may include lawyer fees, court fees, filing fees, child support payments, and others.

4. How will the child custody arrangement work?

The main goal of determining custody arrangements is to give both parents an equal opportunity to raise the children. Unfortunately, in most cases, it doesn’t work out that way. It’s definitely important to know how a custody arrangement will work for you and your children. For example, some people want a more equal division of custody when it comes to their kids, but other people suffer more if they have more control over their kids’ lives.

5. How will our assets be divided?

The assets of a marriage are extremely important. Everyone wants to receive a fair amount of assets and if both spouses seek an equal settlement, it doesn’t always work out. When dividing assets, many people like to make sure that they get equal amounts of cash, investments, retirement accounts, and other things.