Nancy L. Sponseller

Working For You and With You

(614) 764-0423

Archives for December 2021

Who Should Be Interested in a Collaborative Divorce in Columbus Ohio?

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Who should be interested in a collaborative divorce in Columbus, Ohio?  A “collaborative divorce” may not be perfect for every situation (e.g., where there has been domestic violence, abuse, serious mental illness), but I personally believe it is the best option available for most couples seeking to end a marriage.  What type of people are generally a good fit for a collaborative divorce in Columbus, Ohio?

  • If you value what is best for your children, you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you want a process that is private, you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you want transparency and full and immediate disclosure of all financial information, you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you value interest based negotiations, that results in settlement terms that meets the legitimate needs of each member of the family after the divorce, you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you want to have dignified, respectful meetings to discuss and reach resolution, you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you want to commit your energy and resources to creative problem-solving and restructuring both the family and the family’s finances, you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you want to have less damage (financial, emotional, and relational), you are a good fit for collaborative.
  • If you want to have more understanding and control of the process, you are a good candidate for collaborative.
  • And, if you want to work with experienced and trained collaborative professionals who are committed to attaining for you the most positive resolution, without litigation, you are a good candidate for collaborative.

If you understand that the manner in which your divorce is handled will have a profound affect upon the rest of your life and that of your child(ren), and you want the best for your children, the collaborative divorce process is the best fit.  The collaborative divorce process establishes agreements that protect the parties, and ensures that expensive and time consuming pointless litigation is avoided.  When the former spouses have areas of principled disagreement and wish to seek assistance resolving them in a dignified manner, the collaborative process works very well.

Collaborative divorce puts the needs and interests of the children ahead of the inevitable damage done by high-conflict contested divorces.  It allows each party to exercise significant input and influence over the ultimate outcome in all matters associated with the separation agreement and any shared parenting plan.  The collaborative process protects your private information, and helps to ensure that your divorce is completed in a timely manner, and within an appropriate budget.

Most importantly, the collaborative divorce process here in Columbus and Central Ohio will provide a valuable foundation for a productive future working, co-parenting relationship that will carry into the years to come.  This prevents needless bickerring and disputes following your divorce, and significantly improves the quality of life for you and your children.

If you are interested in a Collaborative Divorce in Columbus, Ohio, and wish to learn more about the benefits of the collaborative process I invite you to call me at 614-764-0423 or contact my office.  As a Certified Specialist in Ohio family relations law, as one of the founding members of the collaborative movement here in Central Ohio, and with years of specific collaborative training and collaborative cases “under my belt,” I am committed the collaborative process and to helping my clients end to their marriage with dignity, fairly and equitably, “litigation free,” and in the most timely and cost-efficient manner possible.  It isn’t just about ending a marriage.  You have a whole new life ahead of you and I’m committed to helping you get past what you need to get past so that you and your children can move on to a future that is as positive, peaceful, and bright as possible.

What Options Do Divorcing Couples Have in Columbus?

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What options do divorcing couples have in Columbus?  Ohio has four legal vehicles to terminate a marriage, three of which may involve the Collaborative Divorce process:

  • Dissolution (With the Collaborative Divorce process utilized, or without this process)
  • Uncontested Divorce (With the Collaborative Divorce process utilized, or without this process)
  • Contested Divorce
  • Annulment (With the Collaborative Divorce process, or without this process)

Annulments are rarely used, but this option primarily exist for when a marriage was entered into under duress, fraud or if it was never consummated.  An uncontested divorce may be used when one spouse cannot be located (after attempts to locate have been made) or who simply fails to show up for a final divorce hearing.

For most Columbus couples, the decision is limited to the dissolution and contested divorce options.

Dissolution requires both parties to be in complete agreement on every issue contained in the separation agreement – from the disposition of your home, child custody, visitation and support and spousal support to the division of assets and debts.  If there is any disagreement on any issue, the options are to try to reach an agreement with the Collaborative Divorce process utilized or without the collaborative process.  The couple’s BEST way to reach an agreement is to use the Collaborative Divorce process.  Without an agreement, the only option is a contested divorce.  And, we have all heard the horror stories for years.  The couple goes to war and spends all their money on attorneys and litigating every issue for months and years.  Fortunately there are very few instances where the contested divorce option must genuinely be considered.

As a founder of the local Collaborative family law chapter, I am committed to the Collaborative Divorce process.  The collaborative process provides structure, cost limitations and, essentially, a code of conduct.  It provides the tools and the expert counsel that the couple will need to work through all issues, limits their expenses and, in my opinion, reach the best positions for each of the former spouses for life after the divorce.

If you have questions about bringing your marriage to an end, or if you would like to learn more about the collaborative process, I invite you to call me at 614-764-0423 or contact my office for a free 30 minute consultation on the Collaborative Divorce process.

Dissolution in Columbus When You Have Retirement Accounts, Investments and other Substantial Assets

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Dissolution in Columbus is an option for many local residents to consider when approaching the end of a marriage.  Dissolution is an alternative to divorce and requires the parties to be in complete agreement on every issue contained in the divorce paperwork known as the “separation agreement.”  Where the parties have one or more minor children, the paperwork may include a “shared parenting plan.”  The subject to be agreed upon include but are not limited to:

If there are retirement accounts the plan administrators will require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order or QDRO.  PERS and STRS have their own versions of this legal document known as a Division of Property Order or DOPO.  These are basically orders by the court that directs the plan administrator how retirement accounts are to be handled or divided.

Many former spouses considering a dissolution in Columbus do not understand the tax ramifications of these decisions, and the strategies employed during the division of property and support payments will have a substantial effect on the net income (after taxes) of both parties.  If you have considerable assets, are married to a physician or other professional or have business interests, I invite you to call me at 614-764-0423 or contact my office to discuss your unique situation.

What is a Collaborative Divorce in Columbus, and Why Should We Consider It?

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Collaborative divorce in Columbus is an effective option to end a marriage that provides dignity, a systematized approach and limits on expenses that many former spouses find attractive.  Collaborative divorce is a “non-adversarial” process, and both parties and their attorneys enter into a contract that establishes clear guidelines in advance.  In the contract, the parties agree not to go to court, but to work outside of the court through a process guided by collaborative professionals.  This limits the costs associated with a divorce, while establishing an even playing field and a supportive team with one goal: to help the two former spouses to work through all issues associated with the divorce in a productive way, and move forward with their lives.

The process includes support from experienced family counselors who serve as a divorce coach/facilitator, to assess the parties and help to provide tools to increase the effectiveness of communication and problem resolution.  These skills are not only valuable during the divorce process, but many clients have spoken to the importance these skills play after the divorce is completed.  If you are raising children together or have shared financial interests your former spouse will be involved in many aspects of your life for years to come.

Finally, the collaborative divorce in Columbus helps the parties to get all information clearly on the table in front of them, and helps to identify all potential options for resolving areas of principled disagreement.  The parties are empowered to make informed decisions based upon facts and after considering all options including options that would not be available in a contested divorce but may be available in the collaborative process.  This helps to make the whole experience more smooth, dignified and tailored to your family and family circumstances.  If you would like additional information on collaborative divorce I invite you to call or contact me.