Chapter 3105 | Divorce, Alimony, Annulment, Dissolution Of Marriage

Section 3105.01 | Divorce causes.

• Effective: October 6, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 571 - 120th General Assembly

The court of common pleas may grant divorces for the following causes:

(A) Either party had a husband or wife living at the time of the marriage from which the divorce is sought;

(B) Willful absence of the adverse party for one year;

(C) Adultery;

(D) Extreme cruelty;

(E) Fraudulent contract;

(F) Any gross neglect of duty;

(G) Habitual drunkenness;

(H) Imprisonment of the adverse party in a state or federal correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint;

(I) Procurement of a divorce outside this state, by a husband or wife, by virtue of which the party who procured it is released from the obligations of the marriage, while those obligations remain binding upon the other party;

(J) On the application of either party, when husband and wife have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation;

(K) Incompatibility, unless denied by either party.

A plea of res judicata or of recrimination with respect to any provision of this section does not bar either party from obtaining a divorce on this ground.

Section 3105.011 | Jurisdiction over domestic relations matters.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) The court of common pleas including divisions of courts of domestic relations, has full equitable powers and jurisdiction appropriate to the determination of all domestic relations matters. This section is not a determination by the general assembly that such equitable powers and jurisdiction do not exist with respect to any such matter.

(B) For purposes of this section, "domestic relations matters" means both of the following:

(1) Any matter committed to the jurisdiction of the division of domestic relations of common pleas courts under section 2301.03 of the Revised Code, as well as a complaint for child support and allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, including the enforcement and modification of such orders;

(2) Actions and proceedings under Chapters 3105., 3109., 3111., 3113., 3115., 3119., 3121., 3123., 3125., and 3127. of the Revised Code, actions pursuant to section 2151.231 of the Revised Code, all actions removed from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to section 2151.233 of the Revised Code, and all matters transferred by the juvenile court pursuant to section 2151.235 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.02 | Prohibited acts.

• Effective: August 1, 1975
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 370 - 111th General Assembly

No person shall advertise, print, publish, distribute, or circulate a circular, pamphlet, card, handbill, advertisement, printed paper, book, newspaper, or notice, or cause such to be done, with the intent to procure or aid in procuring divorces or dissolutions of marriage, either in this state or elsewhere. This section does not apply to the printing or publishing of a notice or advertisement authorized by law.

Section 3105.03 | Venue.

• Effective: January 1, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 514 - 118th General Assembly

The plaintiff in actions for divorce and annulment shall have been a resident of the state at least six months immediately before filing the complaint. Actions for divorce and annulment shall be brought in the proper county for commencement of action pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure. The court of common pleas shall hear and determine the case, whether the marriage took place, or the cause of divorce or annulment occurred, within or without the state.

Actions for legal separation shall be brought in the proper county for commencement of actions pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Section 3105.04 | Residence of spouse.

• Effective: January 1, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 514 - 118th General Assembly

When a person files a petition for divorce or legal separation, the residence of the spouse does not preclude the use of sections 3105.01 to 3105.21 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.06 | Notice of pendency of action by publication when residence unknown.

• Effective: January 1, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 514 - 118th General Assembly

If the residence of a defendant in an action for divorce, annulment, or legal separation is unknown, or if the defendant is not a resident of this state or is a resident of this state but absent from the state, notice of the pendency of the action shall be given by publication as provided by the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Section 3105.08 | Converting divorce action into dissolution action.

• Effective: June 13, 1990
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 25 - 118th General Assembly

At any time before a final judgment is entered in a divorce action, the spouses may convert the action for divorce into an action for dissolution of marriage by filing a motion with the court in which the divorce action is pending for conversion of the divorce action. The motion shall contain a petition for dissolution of marriage that satisfies the requirements of section 3105.63 of the Revised Code. The action for dissolution of marriage then shall proceed in accordance with sections 3105.61 to 3105.65 of the Revised Code with both spouses designated as petitioners. No court fees or costs normally charged upon the filing of an action shall be charged upon the conversion of the action for divorce into an action for dissolution of marriage under this section.

Section 3105.091 | Conciliation procedures.

• Effective: April 11, 1991
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 3 - 118th General Assembly

(A) At any time after thirty days from the service of summons or first publication of notice in an action for divorce, annulment, or legal separation, or at any time after the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage, the court of common pleas, upon its own motion or the motion of one of the parties, may order the parties to undergo conciliation for the period of time not exceeding ninety days as the court specifies, and, if children are involved in the proceeding, the court may order the parties to take part in family counseling during the course of the proceeding or for any reasonable period of time as directed by the court. An order requiring conciliation shall set forth the conciliation procedure and name the conciliator. The conciliation procedures may include without limitation referrals to the conciliation judge as provided in Chapter 3117. of the Revised Code, public or private marriage counselors, family service agencies, community health services, physicians, licensed psychologists, or clergymen. The court, in its order requiring the parties to undergo family counseling, may name the counselor and shall set forth the required type of counseling, the length of time for the counseling, and any other specific conditions required by it. The court shall direct and order the manner in which the costs of any conciliation procedures and of any family counseling are to be paid.

(B) No action for divorce, annulment, or legal separation, in which conciliation or family counseling has been ordered, shall be heard or decided until the conciliation or family counseling has concluded and been reported to the court.

Section 3105.10 | Judgment - separation agreement.

• Effective: January 1, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 514 - 118th General Assembly

(A) The court of common pleas shall hear any of the causes for divorce or annulment charged in the complaint and may, upon proof to the satisfaction of the court, pronounce the marriage contract dissolved and both of the parties released from their obligations.

(B)(1) A separation agreement providing for the support of children eighteen years of age or older is enforceable by the court of common pleas.

(2) A separation agreement that was voluntarily entered into by the parties may be enforceable by the court of common pleas upon the motion of either party to the agreement, if the court determines that it would be in the interests of justice and equity to require enforcement of the separation agreement.

(3) If a court of common pleas has a division of domestic relations, all cases brought for enforcement of a separation agreement under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section shall be assigned to the judges of that division.

(C) A plea of condonation or recrimination is not a bar to a divorce.

(D) Upon the granting of a divorce, on a complaint or counterclaim, by force of the judgment, each party shall be barred of all right of dower in real estate situated within this state of which the other was seized at any time during coverture.

(E) Upon the granting of a judgment for legal separation, when by the force of the judgment real estate is granted to one party, the other party is barred of all right of dower in the real estate and the court may provide that each party shall be barred of all rights of dower in the real estate acquired by either party at any time subsequent to the judgment.

"Dower" as used in this section has the meaning set forth in section 2103.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.12 | Proof of marriage.

• Effective: May 7, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, proof of cohabitation and reputation of the marriage of a man and woman is competent evidence to prove their marriage, and, in the discretion of the court, that proof may be sufficient to establish their marriage for a particular purpose.

(B)(1) On and after October 10, 1991, except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section, common law marriages are prohibited in this state, and the marriage of a man and woman may occur in this state only if the marriage is solemnized by a person described in section 3101.08 of the Revised Code and only if the marriage otherwise is in compliance with Chapter 3101. of the Revised Code.

(2) Common law marriages that occurred in this state prior to October 10, 1991, and that have not been terminated by death, divorce, dissolution of marriage, or annulment remain valid on and after October 10, 1991.

(3) Common law marriages that satisfy all of the following remain valid on and after October 10, 1991:

(a) They came into existence prior to October 10, 1991, or come into existence on or after that date, in another state or nation that recognizes the validity of common law marriages in accordance with all relevant aspects of the law of that state or nation.

(b) They have not been terminated by death, divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or other judicial determination in this or another state or in another nation.

(c) They are not otherwise deemed invalid under section 3101.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) On and after October 10, 1991, all references in the Revised Code to common law marriages or common law marital relationships, including the references in sections 2919.25, 3113.31, and 3113.33 of the Revised Code, shall be construed to mean only common law marriages as described in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section.

Section 3105.16 | Restoring name before marriage.

• Effective: October 25, 1978
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 349 - 112th General Assembly

When a divorce is granted the court of common pleas shall, if the person so desires, restore any name that the person had before the marriage.

Section 3105.17 | Complaint for divorce or legal separation.

• Effective: March 23, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 210 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Either party to the marriage may file a complaint for divorce or for legal separation, and when filed the other may file a counterclaim for divorce or for legal separation. The court of common pleas may grant divorces for the causes set forth in section 3105.01 of the Revised Code. The court of common pleas may grant legal separation on a complaint or counterclaim, regardless of whether the parties are living separately at the time the complaint or counterclaim is filed, for the following causes:

(1) Either party had a husband or wife living at the time of the marriage from which legal separation is sought;

(2) Willful absence of the adverse party for one year;

(3) Adultery;

(4) Extreme cruelty;

(5) Fraudulent contract;

(6) Any gross neglect of duty;

(7) Habitual drunkenness;

(8) Imprisonment of the adverse party in a state or federal correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint;

(9) On the application of either party, when husband and wife have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation;

(10) Incompatibility, unless denied by either party.

(B) The filing of a complaint or counterclaim for legal separation or the granting of a decree of legal separation under this section does not bar either party from filing a complaint or counterclaim for a divorce or annulment or obtaining a divorce or annulment.

(C) A decree of legal separation may be terminated by the court upon a motion signed by both spouses.

Last updated February 8, 2023 at 12:56 PM

Section 3105.171 | Equitable division of marital and separate property - distributive award.

• Effective: March 23, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 210 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Distributive award" means any payment or payments, in real or personal property, that are payable in a lump sum or over time, in fixed amounts, that are made from separate property or income, and that are not made from marital property and do not constitute payments of spousal support, as defined in section 3105.18 of the Revised Code.

(2) "During the marriage" means whichever of the following is applicable:

(a) Except as provided in division (A)(2)(b) of this section, the period of time from the date of the marriage through the date of the final hearing in an action for divorce or in an action for legal separation;

(b) If the court determines that the use of either or both of the dates specified in division (A)(2)(a) of this section would be inequitable, the court may select dates that it considers equitable in determining marital property. If the court selects dates that it considers equitable in determining marital property, "during the marriage" means the period of time between those dates selected and specified by the court.

(3)(a) "Marital property" means, subject to division (A)(3)(b) of this section, all of the following:

(i) All real and personal property that currently is owned by either or both of the spouses, including, but not limited to, the retirement benefits of the spouses, and that was acquired by either or both of the spouses during the marriage;

(ii) All interest that either or both of the spouses currently has in any real or personal property, including, but not limited to, the retirement benefits of the spouses, and that was acquired by either or both of the spouses during the marriage;

(iii) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all income and appreciation on separate property, due to the labor, monetary, or in-kind contribution of either or both of the spouses that occurred during the marriage;

(iv) A participant account, as defined in section 148.01 of the Revised Code, of either of the spouses, to the extent of the following: the moneys that have been deferred by a continuing member or participating employee, as defined in that section, and that have been transmitted to the Ohio public employees deferred compensation board during the marriage and any income that is derived from the investment of those moneys during the marriage; the moneys that have been deferred by an officer or employee of a municipal corporation and that have been transmitted to the governing board, administrator, depository, or trustee of the deferred compensation program of the municipal corporation during the marriage and any income that is derived from the investment of those moneys during the marriage; or the moneys that have been deferred by an officer or employee of a government unit, as defined in section 148.06 of the Revised Code, and that have been transmitted to the governing board, as defined in that section, during the marriage and any income that is derived from the investment of those moneys during the marriage.

(b) "Marital property" does not include any separate property.

(4) "Passive income" means income acquired other than as a result of the labor, monetary, or in-kind contribution of either spouse.

(5) "Personal property" includes both tangible and intangible personal property.

(6)(a) "Separate property" means all real and personal property and any interest in real or personal property that is found by the court to be any of the following:

(i) An inheritance by one spouse by bequest, devise, or descent during the course of the marriage;

(ii) Any real or personal property or interest in real or personal property that was acquired by one spouse prior to the date of the marriage;

(iii) Passive income and appreciation acquired from separate property by one spouse during the marriage;

(iv) Any real or personal property or interest in real or personal property acquired by one spouse after a decree of legal separation issued under section 3105.17 of the Revised Code;

(v) Any real or personal property or interest in real or personal property that is excluded by a valid antenuptial or postnuptial agreement;

(vi) Compensation to a spouse for the spouse's personal injury, except for loss of marital earnings and compensation for expenses paid from marital assets;

(vii) Any gift of any real or personal property or of an interest in real or personal property that is made after the date of the marriage and that is proven by clear and convincing evidence to have been given to only one spouse.

(b) The commingling of separate property with other property of any type does not destroy the identity of the separate property as separate property, except when the separate property is not traceable.

(B) In divorce proceedings, the court shall, and in legal separation proceedings upon the request of either spouse, the court may, determine what constitutes marital property and what constitutes separate property. In either case, upon making such a determination, the court shall divide the marital and separate property equitably between the spouses, in accordance with this section. For purposes of this section, the court has jurisdiction over all property, excluding the social security benefits of a spouse other than as set forth in division (F)(9) of this section, in which one or both spouses have an interest.

(C)(1) Except as provided in this division or division (E) of this section, the division of marital property shall be equal. If an equal division of marital property would be inequitable, the court shall not divide the marital property equally but instead shall divide it between the spouses in the manner the court determines equitable. In making a division of marital property, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including those set forth in division (F) of this section.

(2) Each spouse shall be considered to have contributed equally to the production and acquisition of marital property.

(3) The court shall provide for an equitable division of marital property under this section prior to making any award of spousal support to either spouse under section 3105.18 of the Revised Code and without regard to any spousal support so awarded.

(4) If the marital property includes a participant account, as defined in section 148.01 of the Revised Code, the court shall not order the division or disbursement of the moneys and income described in division (A)(3)(a)(iv) of this section to occur in a manner that is inconsistent with the law, rules, or plan governing the deferred compensation program involved or prior to the time that the spouse in whose name the participant account is maintained commences receipt of the moneys and income credited to the account in accordance with that law, rules, and plan.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section or by another provision of this section, the court shall disburse a spouse's separate property to that spouse. If a court does not disburse a spouse's separate property to that spouse, the court shall make written findings of fact that explain the factors that it considered in making its determination that the spouse's separate property should not be disbursed to that spouse.

(E)(1) The court may make a distributive award to facilitate, effectuate, or supplement a division of marital property. The court may require any distributive award to be secured by a lien on the payor's specific marital property or separate property.

(2) The court may make a distributive award in lieu of a division of marital property in order to achieve equity between the spouses, if the court determines that a division of the marital property in kind or in money would be impractical or burdensome.

(3) The court shall require each spouse to disclose in a full and complete manner all marital property, separate property, and other assets, debts, income, and expenses of the spouse.

(4) If a spouse has engaged in financial misconduct, including, but not limited to, the dissipation, destruction, concealment, nondisclosure, or fraudulent disposition of assets, the court may compensate the offended spouse with a distributive award or with a greater award of marital property.

(5) If a spouse has substantially and willfully failed to disclose marital property, separate property, or other assets, debts, income, or expenses as required under division (E)(3) of this section, the court may compensate the offended spouse with a distributive award or with a greater award of marital property not to exceed three times the value of the marital property, separate property, or other assets, debts, income, or expenses that are not disclosed by the other spouse.

(F) In making a division of marital property and in determining whether to make and the amount of any distributive award under this section, the court shall consider all of the following factors:

(1) The duration of the marriage;

(2) The assets and liabilities of the spouses;

(3) The desirability of awarding the family home, or the right to reside in the family home for reasonable periods of time, to the spouse with custody of the children of the marriage;

(4) The liquidity of the property to be distributed;

(5) The economic desirability of retaining intact an asset or an interest in an asset;

(6) The tax consequences of the property division upon the respective awards to be made to each spouse;

(7) The costs of sale, if it is necessary that an asset be sold to effectuate an equitable distribution of property;

(8) Any division or disbursement of property made in a separation agreement that was voluntarily entered into by the spouses;

(9) Any retirement benefits of the spouses, excluding the social security benefits of a spouse except as may be relevant for purposes of dividing a public pension;

(10) Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be relevant and equitable.

(G) In any order for the division or disbursement of property or a distributive award made pursuant to this section, the court shall make written findings of fact that support the determination that the marital property has been equitably divided and shall specify the dates it used in determining the meaning of "during the marriage."

(H) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the holding of title to property by one spouse individually or by both spouses in a form of co-ownership does not determine whether the property is marital property or separate property.

(I) A division or disbursement of property or a distributive award made under this section is not subject to future modification by the court except upon the express written consent or agreement to the modification by both spouses.

(J) The court may issue any orders under this section that it determines equitable, including, but not limited to, either of the following types of orders:

(1) An order granting a spouse the right to use the marital dwelling or any other marital property or separate property for any reasonable period of time;

(2) An order requiring the sale or encumbrancing of any real or personal property, with the proceeds from the sale and the funds from any loan secured by the encumbrance to be applied as determined by the court.

Last updated February 8, 2023 at 12:57 PM

Section 3105.18 | Awarding spousal support - modification of spousal support.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "spousal support" means any payment or payments to be made to a spouse or former spouse, or to a third party for the benefit of a spouse or a former spouse, that is both for sustenance and for support of the spouse or former spouse. "Spousal support" does not include any payment made to a spouse or former spouse, or to a third party for the benefit of a spouse or former spouse, that is made as part of a division or distribution of property or a distributive award under section 3105.171 of the Revised Code.

(B) In divorce and legal separation proceedings, upon the request of either party and after the court determines the division or disbursement of property under section 3105.171 of the Revised Code, the court of common pleas may award reasonable spousal support to either party. During the pendency of any divorce, or legal separation proceeding, the court may award reasonable temporary spousal support to either party.

An award of spousal support may be allowed in real or personal property, or both, or by decreeing a sum of money, payable either in gross or by installments, from future income or otherwise, as the court considers equitable.

Any award of spousal support made under this section shall terminate upon the death of either party, unless the order containing the award expressly provides otherwise.

(C)(1) In determining whether spousal support is appropriate and reasonable, and in determining the nature, amount, and terms of payment, and duration of spousal support, which is payable either in gross or in installments, the court shall consider all of the following factors:

(a) The income of the parties, from all sources, including, but not limited to, income derived from property divided, disbursed, or distributed under section 3105.171 of the Revised Code;

(b) The relative earning abilities of the parties;

(c) The ages and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of the parties;

(d) The retirement benefits of the parties;

(e) The duration of the marriage;

(f) The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a party, because that party will be custodian of a minor child of the marriage, to seek employment outside the home;

(g) The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage;

(h) The relative extent of education of the parties;

(i) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties, including but not limited to any court-ordered payments by the parties;

(j) The contribution of each party to the education, training, or earning ability of the other party, including, but not limited to, any party's contribution to the acquisition of a professional degree of the other party;

(k) The time and expense necessary for the spouse who is seeking spousal support to acquire education, training, or job experience so that the spouse will be qualified to obtain appropriate employment, provided the education, training, or job experience, and employment is, in fact, sought;

(l) The tax consequences, for each party, of an award of spousal support;

(m) The lost income production capacity of either party that resulted from that party's marital responsibilities;

(n) Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be relevant and equitable.

(2) In determining whether spousal support is reasonable and in determining the amount and terms of payment of spousal support, each party shall be considered to have contributed equally to the production of marital income.

(D) In an action brought solely for an order for legal separation under section 3105.17 of the Revised Code, any continuing order for periodic payments of money entered pursuant to this section is subject to further order of the court upon changed circumstances of either party.

(E) If a continuing order for periodic payments of money as alimony is entered in a divorce or dissolution of marriage action that is determined on or after May 2, 1986, and before January 1, 1991, or if a continuing order for periodic payments of money as spousal support is entered in a divorce or dissolution of marriage action that is determined on or after January 1, 1991, the court that enters the decree of divorce or dissolution of marriage does not have jurisdiction to modify the amount or terms of the alimony or spousal support unless the court determines that the circumstances of either party have changed and unless one of the following applies:

(1) In the case of a divorce, the decree or a separation agreement of the parties to the divorce that is incorporated into the decree contains a provision specifically authorizing the court to modify the amount or terms of alimony or spousal support.

(2) In the case of a dissolution of marriage, the separation agreement that is approved by the court and incorporated into the decree contains a provision specifically authorizing the court to modify the amount or terms of alimony or spousal support.

(F)(1) For purposes of divisions (D) and (E) of this section and subject to division (F)(2) of this section, a change in the circumstances of a party includes, but is not limited to, any increase or involuntary decrease in the party's wages, salary, bonuses, living expenses, or medical expenses, or other changed circumstances so long as both of the following apply:

(a) The change in circumstances is substantial and makes the existing award no longer reasonable and appropriate.

(b) The change in circumstances was not taken into account by the parties or the court as a basis for the existing award when it was established or last modified, whether or not the change in circumstances was forseeable.

(2) In determining whether to modify an existing order for spousal support, the court shall consider any purpose expressed in the initial order or award and enforce any voluntary agreement of the parties. Absent an agreement of the parties, the court shall not modify the continuing jurisdiction of the court as contained in the original decree.

(G) If any person required to pay alimony under an order made or modified by a court on or after December 1, 1986, and before January 1, 1991, or any person required to pay spousal support under an order made or modified by a court on or after January 1, 1991, is found in contempt of court for failure to make alimony or spousal support payments under the order, the court that makes the finding, in addition to any other penalty or remedy imposed, shall assess all court costs arising out of the contempt proceeding against the person and shall require the person to pay any reasonable attorney's fees of any adverse party, as determined by the court, that arose in relation to the act of contempt.

Section 3105.21 | Order for disposition, care and maintenance of children.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Upon satisfactory proof of the causes in the complaint for divorce, annulment, or legal separation, the court of common pleas shall make an order for the disposition, care, and maintenance of the children of the marriage, as is in their best interests, and in accordance with section 3109.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) Upon the failure of proof of the causes in the complaint, the court may make the order for the disposition, care, and maintenance of any dependent child of the marriage as is in the child's best interest, and in accordance with section 3109.04 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any court of common pleas that makes or modifies an order for child support under this section shall comply with Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code. If any person required to pay child support under an order made under this section on or after April 15, 1985, or modified on or after December 1, 1986, is found in contempt of court for failure to make support payments under the order, the court that makes the finding, in addition to any other penalty or remedy imposed, shall assess all court costs arising out of the contempt proceeding against the person and require the person to pay any reasonable attorney's fees of any adverse party, as determined by the court, that arose in relation to the act of contempt.

Section 3105.31 | Causes for annulment.

• Effective: September 24, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 467 - 105th General Assembly

A marriage may be annulled for any of the following causes existing at the time of the marriage:

(A) That the party in whose behalf it is sought to have the marriage annulled was under the age at which persons may be joined in marriage as established by section 3101.01 of the Revised Code, unless after attaining such age such party cohabited with the other as husband or wife;

(B) That the former husband or wife of either party was living and the marriage with such former husband or wife was then and still is in force;

(C) That either party has been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent, unless such party after being restored to competency cohabited with the other as husband or wife;

(D) That the consent of either party was obtained by fraud, unless such party afterwards, with full knowledge of the facts constituting the fraud, cohabited with the other as husband or wife;

(E) That the consent to the marriage of either party was obtained by force, unless such party afterwards cohabited with the other as husband or wife;

(F) That the marriage between the parties was never consummated although otherwise valid.

Section 3105.32 | When action for annulment must be commenced and by what parties.

• Effective: September 24, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 467 - 105th General Assembly

An action to obtain a decree of nullity of a marriage must be commenced within the periods and by the parties as follows:

(A) For the cause mentioned in division (A) of section 3105.31 of the Revised Code, by the party to the marriage who was married under the age at which persons may be joined in marriage as established by section 3101.01 of the Revised Code, within two years after arriving at such age; or by a parent, guardian, or other person having charge of such party at any time before such party has arrived at such age;

(B) For the cause mentioned in division (B) of section 3105.31 of the Revised Code, by either party during the life of the other or by such former husband or wife;

(C) For the cause mentioned in division (C) of section 3105.31 of the Revised Code, by the party aggrieved or a relative or guardian of the party adjudicated mentally incompetent at any time before the death of either party;

(D) For the cause mentioned in division (D) of section 3105.31 of the Revised Code, by the party aggrieved within two years after the discovery of the facts constituting fraud;

(E) For the cause mentioned in division (E) of section 3105.31 of the Revised Code, by the party aggrieved within two years from the date of the said marriage;

(F) For the cause mentioned in division (F) of section 3105.31 of the Revised Code, by the party aggrieved within two years from the date of the marriage.

Section 3105.34 | Restoring name before marriage.

• Effective: October 25, 1978
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 349 - 112th General Assembly

If the court determines that a marriage is void or that a judgment of nullity ought to be granted, the court may in its discretion, and regardless of whether or not a request therefor was included in the prayer of the complaint as a part of such judgment, restore any name that the person had before the marriage.

Section 3105.41 | Definitions for sections 3105.41 to 3105.54.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

As used in sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Collaborative family law communication" means any statement that occurs after the parties sign a collaborative family law participation agreement and before the collaborative family law process is concluded and that is made for the purpose of conducting, participating in, continuing, or reconvening a collaborative law process.

(B) "Collaborative family law participation agreement" means an agreement by persons to participate in a collaborative family law process.

(C) "Collaborative family law process" means a procedure intended to resolve a matter without intervention by a court in which parties sign a collaborative family law participation agreement and are represented by collaborative family lawyers.

(D) "Collaborative family lawyer" means a lawyer who represents a party in a collaborative family law process but does not include a lawyer who is a public official and who does not represent individuals other than public officials in their official capacities.

(E) "Collaborative matter" or "matter" means a dispute, transaction, claim, problem, or issue for resolution that arises under Title XXXI of the Revised Code and is described in a collaborative family law participation agreement. The term includes a dispute, claim, or issue in a proceeding.

(F) "Family or household member" has the same meaning as in section 3113.31 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Law firm" means an association of lawyers who practice law together in a partnership, professional corporation, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, or other association, lawyers employed in a legal services organization, the legal department of a corporation or other organization, or the legal department of a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality.

(H) "Nonparty participant" means a person, other than a party and the party's collaborative family lawyer, that the parties expressly designate in writing, in a collaborative family law participation agreement or an amendment to that agreement, to participate in a collaborative family law process.

(I) "Party" means a person that signs a collaborative family law participation agreement and whose consent is necessary to resolve a matter.

(J) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(K) "Proceeding" means a judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other adjudicative process before a court, including related prehearing and posthearing motions, conferences, and discovery.

(L) "Public official" means an officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state.

(M) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(N) "Related to a collaborative family law matter" or "related to a matter" means involving the same parties, transaction or occurrence, nucleus of operative fact, claim, issue, or dispute as a matter.

(O) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, to do either of the following:

(1) Execute or adopt a tangible symbol;

(2) Attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process.

Section 3105.42 | Laws applicable to collaborative family law participation agreement.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code apply to a collaborative family law participation agreement that meets the requirements of section 3105.43 of the Revised Code and is signed on or after the effective date of this section.

(B) A court may not order a party to participate in a collaborative family law process over that party's objection.

Section 3105.43 | Collaborative family law participation agreements; mandatory inclusions.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A collaborative family law participation agreement must be in a record, be signed by the parties, and include all of the following:

(1) A statement of the parties' intent to resolve a matter through a collaborative family law process under sections 3105.41 to 3105.55 of the Revised Code;

(2) A description of the nature and scope of the matter;

(3) The identity of the collaborative family lawyer who represents each party in the collaborative family law process;

(4) A statement by each collaborative family lawyer confirming the lawyer's representation of a party in the collaborative family law process.

(B) Parties to a collaborative family law participation agreement may agree to include additional provisions not inconsistent with sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.44 | Collaborative family law process.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A collaborative family law process begins when the parties sign a collaborative family law participation agreement.

(B) A collaborative family law process is concluded by any of the following:

(1) A negotiated resolution of the matter as evidenced by a signed record;

(2) A negotiated resolution of a portion of the matter as evidenced by a signed record in which the parties agree that the remaining portions of the matter will not be resolved in the collaborative family law process;

(3) Termination of the process under division (C) of this section.

(C) A collaborative family law process terminates when any of the following occurs:

(1) A party gives notice in a record that the collaborative family law process is ended.

(2) A party does either of the following:

(a) Begins a proceeding related to the collaborative family law matter without the agreement of all parties;

(b) In a pending proceeding related to the collaborative family law matter, does any of the following:

(i) Initiates a pleading, motion, order to show cause, or request for a conference with the court;

(ii) Requests that the proceeding be put on the court's docket;

(iii) Takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties;

(iv) Except as otherwise provided by division (E)(2) of this section, discharges a collaborative family lawyer.

(3) A collaborative family lawyer withdraws from further representation of a party.

(4) Termination occurs in any other way provided for in the collaborative family law participation agreement.

(D) A party may terminate a collaborative family law process with or without cause. A notice of termination need not specify a reason for terminating the process.

(E)(1) A collaborative family lawyer who is discharged or who withdraws shall give prompt notice in a record of the discharge or withdrawal to all other parties.

(2) Notwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative family lawyer, a collaborative family law process continues if the unrepresented party engages a successor collaborative family lawyer, and, in a signed record, all parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the collaborative family law participation agreement, the collaborative family law participation agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative family lawyer, and the successor collaborative family lawyer confirms the lawyer's representation of a party in the collaborative family law process.

(F) A collaborative family law process does not terminate if, with the consent of all parties, a party requests a court to approve a negotiated resolution of the matter or any portion of the matter as evidenced by a signed record.

Section 3105.45 | Representation by collaborative family lawyer.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, a collaborative family lawyer may not appear before a court to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative family law matter. A collaborative family lawyer representing a party that is a government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality is subject to disqualification under this division.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, a lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative family lawyer is associated may not appear before a court to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative family law matter if the collaborative family lawyer is disqualified from doing so under division (A) of this section.

(C) A collaborative family lawyer or a lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative family lawyer is associated may represent a party for the following purposes:

(1) To ask a court to approve an agreement resulting from the collaborative family law process;

(2) To seek or defend an emergency order to protect the health, safety, welfare, or interests of a party or of a family or household member of a party if a successor lawyer is not immediately available to represent the party or family or household member of the party. If a successor lawyer is not immediately available to represent the party or family or household member of the party, divisions (A) and (B) of this section do not apply until a successor lawyer assumes representation of the party or family or household member of the party or reasonable measures are taken to protect the health, safety, welfare, or interests of the party or family or household member of the party.

Section 3105.46 | Informal disclosure of information.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

During the collaborative family law process, at the request of another party, a party shall make timely, full, candid, and informal disclosure of information related to the collaborative matter without formal discovery and shall update promptly information that has materially changed. Parties may define the scope of disclosure, except as otherwise provided by law.

Section 3105.47 | Applicability of professional responsibility provisions.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

Sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code do not affect the professional responsibility obligations and standards applicable to a lawyer or other licensed professional or the statutory obligation of a person to report abuse or neglect of a child or adult.

Section 3105.48 | Confidentiality of communications.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

A collaborative family law communication is confidential to the extent agreed by the parties in a signed record or as provided by the law of this state.

Section 3105.49 | Privileged communications.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Subject to sections 3105.50 and 3105.51 of the Revised Code, a collaborative family law communication is privileged under division (B) of this section, is not subject to discovery, and is not admissible in evidence.

(B) In a proceeding, the following privileges apply:

(1) A party may refuse to disclose, and may prevent any other person from disclosing, a collaborative family law communication.

(2) A nonparty participant may refuse to disclose, and may prevent any other person from disclosing, a collaborative family law communication of the nonparty participant.

(C) Evidence or information that is otherwise admissible or subject to discovery does not become inadmissible or protected from discovery solely by reason of its disclosure or use in a collaborative family law process.

Section 3105.50 | Waiver of privileges.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A privilege under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code may be waived in a record or orally during a proceeding if it is expressly waived by all parties and, in the case of the privilege of a nonparty participant, it is also expressly waived by the nonparty participant.

(B) A person that discloses or makes a representation about a collaborative family law communication that prejudices another person in a proceeding may not assert a privilege under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code relating to that communication.

Section 3105.51 | Communications not subject to privilege.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) There is no privilege under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code for a collaborative family law communication that is any of the following:

(1) Available to the public under section 149.43 of the Revised Code or made during a session of a collaborative family law process that is open, or is required by law to be open, to the public;

(2) A threat or statement of a plan to inflict bodily injury or commit a crime of violence;

(3) Intentionally used to plan a crime, commit or attempt to commit a crime, or conceal an ongoing crime or ongoing criminal activity;

(4) In an agreement resulting from the collaborative family law process, evidenced by a record signed by all parties to the agreement.

(B) The privileges under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code for a collaborative family law communication do not apply to the extent that a communication is either of the following:

(1) Sought or offered to prove or disprove a claim or complaint of professional misconduct or malpractice arising from or related to a collaborative family law process;

(2) Sought or offered to prove or disprove abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation of a child, unless a children's or protective service agency or an adult protective services agency is a party to or otherwise participates in the collaborative family law process.

(C) There is no privilege under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code if the communication is sought in connection with or offered in any criminal proceeding involving a felony, a delinquent child proceeding based on what would be a felony if committed by an adult, or a proceeding initiated by the state or a child protection agency in which it is alleged that a child is an abused, neglected, or dependent child.

(D) There is no privilege under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code if a court finds, after a hearing in camera, that the party seeking discovery or the proponent of the evidence has shown that the evidence is not otherwise available, the need for the evidence substantially outweighs the interest in protecting confidentiality, and the collaborative family law communication is sought or offered in a criminal action or in a proceeding seeking rescission or reformation of a contract arising out of the collaborative family law process or in which a defense to avoid liability on the contract is asserted.

(E) If a collaborative family law communication is subject to an exception under division (B), (C), or (D) of this section, only the portion of the communication necessary for the application of the exception may be disclosed or admitted.

(F) Disclosure or admission of evidence excepted from the privilege under division (B), (C), or (D) of this section does not render the evidence or any other collaborative family law communication discoverable or admissible for any other purpose.

(G) The privileges under section 3105.49 of the Revised Code do not apply if the parties agree in advance in a signed record, or if a record of a proceeding reflects agreement by the parties, that all or part of a collaborative family law process is not privileged. This division does not apply to a collaborative family law communication made by a person that did not receive actual notice of the agreement before the communication was made.

Section 3105.52 | Effect of finding of intent to make an agreement.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

Even though a collaborative family law participation agreement fails to meet the requirements of section 3105.43 of the Revised Code, a court may find that the parties intended to enter into a collaborative family law participation agreement if the parties signed a record indicating an intention to enter into a collaborative family law participation agreement and the parties reasonably believed they were participating in a collaborative family law process. If a court makes such a finding, sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code apply to the same extent as if the parties had entered into a valid collaborative family law participation agreement.

Section 3105.53 | Electronic signatures.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

Sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code modify, limit, and supersede the "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act," 114 Stat. 464, 15 U.S.C. 7001, et seq., but do not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. 7003(b).

Section 3105.54 | Short title.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

Sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code may be cited as the "Ohio collaborative family law act."

Section 3105.61 | Jurisdiction.

• Effective: September 23, 1974
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 233 - 110th General Assembly

The court of common pleas may grant a dissolution of marriage.

Section 3105.62 | Residency requirement.

• Effective: June 13, 1990
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 25 - 118th General Assembly

One of the spouses in an action for dissolution of marriage shall have been a resident of the state for at least six months immediately before filing the petition. Actions for dissolution of marriage shall be brought in the proper county for commencement of actions pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure. An action for dissolution of marriage may be brought pursuant to a motion for conversion of a divorce action into an action for dissolution of marriage pursuant to section 3105.08 of the Revised Code. For purposes of service of process, both parties in an action for dissolution of marriage shall be considered as defendants and subject to service of process as defendants pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Section 3105.63 | Separation agreement provisions.

• Effective: September 8, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 238 - 128th General Assembly

(A)(1) A petition for dissolution of marriage shall be signed by both spouses and shall have attached and incorporated a separation agreement agreed to by both spouses. The separation agreement shall provide for a division of all property; spousal support; if there are minor children of the marriage, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor children, the designation of a residential parent and legal custodian of the minor children, child support, and parenting time rights; and, if the spouses so desire, an authorization for the court to modify the amount or terms of spousal support, or the division of property, provided in the separation agreement. If there are minor children of the marriage, the spouses may address the allocation of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor children by including in the separation agreement a plan under which both parents will have shared rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor children. The spouses shall file the plan with the petition for dissolution of marriage and shall include in the plan the provisions described in division (G) of section 3109.04 of the Revised Code.

(2) The division of property in the separation agreement shall include any participant account, as defined in section 148.01 of the Revised Code, of either of the spouses, to the extent of the following:

(a) The moneys that have been deferred by a continuing member or participating employee, as defined in that section, and that have been transmitted to the Ohio public employees deferred compensation board during the marriage and any income that is derived from the investment of those moneys during the marriage;

(b) The moneys that have been deferred by an officer or employee of a municipal corporation and that have been transmitted to the governing board, administrator, depository, or trustee of the deferred compensation program of the municipal corporation during the marriage and any income that is derived from the investment of those moneys during the marriage;

(c) The moneys that have been deferred by an officer or employee of a government unit, as defined in section 148.06 of the Revised Code, and that have been transmitted to the governing board, as defined in that section, during the marriage and any income that is derived from the investment of those moneys during the marriage.

(3) The separation agreement shall not require or permit the division or disbursement of the moneys and income described in division (A)(2) of this section to occur in a manner that is inconsistent with the law, rules, or plan governing the deferred compensation program involved or prior to the time that the spouse in whose name the participant account is maintained commences receipt of the moneys and income credited to the account in accordance with that law, rules, and plan.

(B) An amended separation agreement may be filed at any time prior to or during the hearing on the petition for dissolution of marriage. Upon receipt of a petition for dissolution of marriage, the court may cause an investigation to be made pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

(C)(1) If a petition for dissolution of marriage contains an authorization for the court to modify the amount or terms of spousal support provided in the separation agreement, the modification shall be in accordance with section 3105.18 of the Revised Code.

(2) If a petition for dissolution of marriage contains an authorization for the court to modify the division of property provided in the separation agreement, the modification shall be made with the express written consent or agreement of both spouses.

Section 3105.64 | Time of court appearance after filing petition.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 461 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) or (C) of this section, not less than thirty nor more than ninety days after the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage, both spouses shall appear before the court, and each spouse shall acknowledge under oath that that spouse voluntarily entered into the separation agreement appended to the petition, that that spouse is satisfied with its terms, and that that spouse seeks dissolution of the marriage.

(B) If an action for divorce is converted to an action for dissolution of marriage pursuant to section 3105.08 of the Revised Code and if the conversion occurs more than thirty days after the filing of the original petition in the divorce action, the appearance and acknowledgement requirements of division (A) of this section may be satisfied at the time of the conversion or at a time that is not more than ninety days after the conversion.

(C) If a petition for dissolution is filed after the spouses have successfully completed a collaborative family law process pursuant to sections 3105.41 to 3105.54 of the Revised Code, the appearance and acknowledgement requirements of division (A) of this section may be satisfied at any time that is not more than ninety days after the filing of the petition.

Section 3105.65 | Power of court.

• Effective: September 8, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 238 - 128th General Assembly

(A) If, at the time of the hearing, either spouse is not satisfied with the separation agreement or does not wish a dissolution of the marriage and if neither spouse files a motion pursuant to division (C) of this section to convert the action to an action for divorce, the court shall dismiss the petition and refuse to validate the proposed separation agreement.

(B) If, upon review of the testimony of both spouses and of the report of the investigator pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure, the court approves the separation agreement and any amendments to it agreed upon by the parties, it shall grant a decree of dissolution of marriage that incorporates the separation agreement. If the separation agreement contains a plan for the exercise of shared parenting by the spouses, the court shall review the plan in accordance with the provisions of division (D)(1) of section 3109.04 of the Revised Code that govern the review of a pleading or motion requesting shared parenting jointly submitted by both spouses to a marriage. A decree of dissolution of marriage has the same effect upon the property rights of the parties, including rights of dower and inheritance, as a decree of divorce. The court has full power to enforce its decree and retains jurisdiction to modify all matters pertaining to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children, to the designation of a residential parent and legal custodian of the children, to child support, to parenting time of parents with the children, and to visitation for persons who are not the children's parents. The court, only in accordance with division (E)(2) of section 3105.18 of the Revised Code, may modify the amount or terms of spousal support. The court may modify the division of property provided in the separation agreement only upon the express written consent or agreement of both spouses.

(C) At any time before a decree of dissolution of marriage has been granted under division (B) of this section, either spouse may convert the action for dissolution of marriage into a divorce action by filing a motion with the court in which the action for dissolution of marriage is pending for conversion of the action for dissolution of marriage. The motion shall contain a complaint for divorce that contains grounds for a divorce and that otherwise complies with the Rules of Civil Procedure and this chapter. The divorce action then shall proceed in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure in the same manner as if the motion had been the original complaint in the action, including, but not limited to, the issuance and service of summons pursuant to Civil Rules 4 to 4.6, except that no court fees shall be charged upon conversion of the action for dissolution of marriage into a divorce action under this division.

Section 3105.71 | Prohibiting cancellation of health insurance during pendency prior to court determination of responsibility.

• Effective: June 4, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 67 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) If a party to an action for divorce, annulment, dissolution of marriage, or legal separation was the named insured or subscriber under, or the policyholder, certificate holder, or contract holder of, a policy, contract, or plan of health insurance that provided health insurance coverage for that party's spouse and dependents immediately prior to the filing of the action, that party shall not cancel or otherwise terminate or cause the termination of such coverage for which the spouse and dependents would otherwise be eligible until the court determines that the party is no longer responsible for providing such health insurance coverage for that party's spouse and dependents.

(B) If the party responsible for providing health insurance coverage for that party's spouse and dependents under division (A) of this section fails to provide that coverage in accordance with that division, the court shall issue an order that includes all of the following:

(1) A requirement that the party make payment to that party's spouse in the amount of any premium that party failed to pay or contribution that party failed to make that resulted in that party's failure to provide health insurance coverage in compliance with division (A) of this section;

(2) A requirement that the party make payment to that party's spouse for reimbursement of any hospital, surgical, and medical expenses incurred as a result of that party's failure to comply with division (A) of this section;

(3) A requirement that, if the party fails to comply with divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section, the employer of the party deduct from the party's earnings an amount necessary to make any payments required under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section.

(C) If the party responsible for providing health insurance coverage for that party's spouse and dependents under division (A) of this section cancels or otherwise terminates or causes the termination of such coverage for which the spouse and dependents would otherwise be eligible, the spouse may apply to the insurer, health insuring corporation, or other third-party payer that provided the coverage for a policy or contract of health insurance. The spouse and dependents shall have the same rights and be subject to the same limitations as a person applying for or covered under a converted or separate policy under section 3923.32 of the Revised Code upon the divorce, annulment, dissolution of marriage, or the legal separation of the spouse from the named insured.

Section 3105.73 | Award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses - factors considered - payment.

• Effective: April 27, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 36 - 125th General Assembly

(A) In an action for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment of marriage or an appeal of that action, a court may award all or part of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses to either party if the court finds the award equitable. In determining whether an award is equitable, the court may consider the parties' marital assets and income, any award of temporary spousal support, the conduct of the parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems appropriate.

(B) In any post-decree motion or proceeding that arises out of an action for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment of marriage or an appeal of that motion or proceeding, the court may award all or part of reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses to either party if the court finds the award equitable. In determining whether an award is equitable, the court may consider the parties' income, the conduct of the parties, and any other relevant factors the court deems appropriate, but it may not consider the parties' assets.

(C) The court may specify whether the award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses under this section is payable in gross or by installments. The court may make an award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses under this section in addition to making an award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses under any other provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure.

(D) Nothing in this section prevents an award of attorney's fees and litigation expenses from being designated as spousal support, as defined in section 3105.18 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.80 | Property division orders involving public retirement program definitions.

• Effective: January 7, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 343 - 129th General Assembly

As used in this section and sections 3105.81 to 3105.90 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Alternate payee" means a party in an action for divorce, legal separation, annulment, or dissolution of marriage who is to receive one or more payments from a benefit or lump sum payment under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code that is in compliance with sections 3105.81 to 3105.90 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Benefit" means a periodic payment under a pension, annuity, allowance, or other type of benefit, other than a survivor benefit, that has been or may be granted to a participant under sections 742.01 to 742.61 or Chapter 145., 3307., 3309., or 5505. of the Revised Code or any payment that is to be made under a contract a participant has entered into for the purposes of an alternative retirement plan. "Benefit" also includes all amounts received or to be received under a plan of payment elected under division (E)(1) of section 145.46, division (B) of section 3307.60, or division (B)(4) of section 3309.46 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Lump sum payment" means a payment of accumulated contributions standing to a participant's credit under sections 742.01 to 742.61 or Chapter 145., 3307., 3309., or 5505. of the Revised Code or pursuant to a contract a participant has entered into for the purposes of an alternative retirement plan and any other payment made or that may be made to a participant under those sections or chapters on withdrawal of a participant's contributions. "Lump sum payment" includes a lump sum payment under section 145.384, 742.26, 3307.352, or 3309.344 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Participant" means a member, contributor, retirant, or disability benefit recipient who is or will be entitled to a benefit or lump sum payment under sections 742.01 to 742.61 or Chapter 145., 3307., 3309., or 5505. of the Revised Code or an employee who elects to participate in an alternative retirement plan under Chapter 3305. of the Revised Code.

(E) "Personal history record" has the same meaning as in sections 145.27, 742.41, 3305.20, 3307.20, 3309.22, and 5505.04 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Public retirement program" means the public employees retirement system, Ohio police and fire pension fund, school employees retirement system, state teachers retirement system, state highway patrol retirement system, or an entity providing an alternative retirement plan under Chapter 3305. of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.81 | Order for equitable division of property to require compliance with provisions.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

A court that issues an order under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code that provides for a division of property that includes a benefit or lump sum payment and requires one or more payments from a public retirement program to an alternate payee shall include in the order a requirement that the payments be made in accordance with and subject to limitations set forth in sections 3105.82 to 3105.90 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.82 | Requirements of order.

• Effective: October 27, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 98 - 125th General Assembly

An order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code shall meet all of the following requirements:

(A) Be on the form created under section 3105.90 of the Revised Code;

(B) Set forth the name and address of the public retirement program subject to the order or, if the court determines that the participant has contributions on deposit with more than one public retirement program, the name and address of each public retirement program that is potentially subject to the order;

(C) Set forth the names, social security numbers, and current addresses of the participant and alternate payee;

(D) Specify the amount to be paid to the alternate payee as one of the following:

(1) As both a monthly dollar amount should the participant elect a benefit and as a one-time payment should the participant elect a lump sum payment;

(2) As a percentage of a fraction determined as follows of a monthly benefit or lump sum payment:

(a) The numerator of the fraction shall be the number of years during which the participant was both a contributing member of a public retirement program and married to the alternate payee.

(b) The denominator, which shall be determined by the public retirement program at the time the participant elects to take the benefit or payment, shall be the participant's total years of service credit or, in the case of a participant in a retirement plan established under section 145.81, 3307.81, or 3309.81 or Chapter 3305. of the Revised Code, years of participation in the plan.

(E) If the participant is eligible for more than one benefit or lump sum payment, specify in accordance with division (D) of this section the amount, if any, to be paid to the alternate payee from each benefit or lump sum payment.

(F) Require an individual who is a participant or alternate payee to notify the public retirement program in writing of a change in the individual's mailing address;

(G) Notify the alternate payee of the following:

(1) The payee's right to payment under the order is conditional on the participant's right to a benefit payment or lump sum payment;

(2) The possible reduction under section 145.571, 742.462, 3307.371, 3309.671, or 5505.261 of the Revised Code of the amount paid to the alternate payee;

(3) The possible termination of the payee's rights as described in section 3105.86 of the Revised Code.

(H) Apply to payments made by the public retirement program after retention of an order under section 145.571, 742.462, 3305.21, 3307.371, 3309.671, or 5505.261 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.821 | Monthly benefit.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

The monthly benefit used under division (D)(2) of section 3105.82 of the Revised Code to determine the amount to be paid an alternate payee from a monthly benefit shall be whichever of the following applies:

(A) If the participant is receiving a monthly benefit, the monthly benefit shall be the benefit the participant is receiving at the time the decree of divorce or dissolution becomes final;

(B) If the participant has applied for but is not yet receiving a monthly benefit, the monthly benefit shall be the benefit for which the participant is eligible;

(C) If the participant has not applied for a benefit, the monthly benefit shall be the benefit calculated at the time the participant elects to take it.

Section 3105.83 | Commencing payments.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

Payments under an order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code shall commence as provided under section 145.571, 742.462, 3305.21, 3307.371, 3309.671, or 5505.261 of the Revised Code. An alternate payee has no right or privilege under sections 742.01 to 742.61 or Chapter 145., 3305., 3307., 3309., or 5505. of the Revised Code that is not provided in those sections or chapters.

An order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code shall not require a public retirement program to take any action or provide any benefit, allowance, or payment not authorized under the law governing the public retirement program.

Section 3105.84 | Defraying administrative costs.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

An order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code shall authorize the board of the public retirement program that is or will be paying the benefit or lump sum payment to withhold from any benefit or payment that is subject to an order an amount determined by the public retirement program to be necessary to defray the cost of administering the order. This amount shall be divided equally between the participant and the alternate payee.

Section 3105.85 | Limit on withholding.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The total of the amounts described in division (D) of section 3105.82 and section 3105.84 of the Revised Code shall not exceed fifty per cent of the amount of a benefit or lump sum payment, or if withholding is to be made from more than one benefit or lump sum payment, fifty per cent of the total of the benefits or lump sum payments.

(B) If a participant's benefit or lump sum payment is or will be subject to more than one order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code, the public retirement program shall not withhold an aggregate amount for all the orders that exceeds fifty per cent of the benefit or lump sum payment.

(C) If a participant's benefit or lump sum payment is or will be subject to an order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code and one or more withholding orders under section 3111.23 or 3113.21 of the Revised Code, the public retirement program shall not withhold from a benefit or lump sum payment an aggregate amount for all orders described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code that exceeds the difference between fifty per cent of the benefit or payment and the percentage of the benefit or payment that is or will be paid under orders described in section 3111.23 or 3113.21 of the Revised Code.

(D) The public retirement program that is or will be paying the benefit or lump sum payment shall act in accordance with section 145.571, 742.462, 3305.21, 3307.371, 3309.671, or 5505.261 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.86 | Terminating alternate payee rights.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

An alternate payee's rights under an order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code shall terminate on the earlier of the following:

(A) The death of the participant;

(B) The death of the alternate payee;

(C) The termination of a benefit paid to a participant under sections 742.01 to 742.61 or Chapter 145., 3305., 3307., 3309., or 5505. of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.87 | Disclosing participant's personal history record.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

The court may order a public retirement program or the Ohio public employees deferred compensation program to provide information from a participant's personal history record necessary to determine the amounts described in division (D) of section 3105.82 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.88 | Transmitting order to retirement program.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

The clerk of courts shall transmit a certified copy of an order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code to each public retirement program named in the order. If the clerk of courts fails to transmit an order, the public retirement program named in the order is not required to administer the order.

The public retirement program shall retain an order in accordance with section 145.571, 742.462, 3305.21, 3307.371, 3309.671, or 5505.261 of the Revised Code.

If the public retirement program returns to the clerk of courts an order in accordance with section 145.571, 742.462, 3305.21, 3307.371, 3309.671, or 5505.261 of the Revised Code, the clerk of courts shall notify the counsel of record that the order was not retained by the public retirement program.

Section 3105.89 | Court retains jurisdiction - modification of orders.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

Notwithstanding division (I) of section 3105.171 of the Revised Code:

(A) The court shall retain jurisdiction to modify, supervise, or enforce the implementation of an order described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code.

(B) The court may modify an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code that was effective prior to the effective date of this section for the purpose of enforcing the order or carrying into effect the manifest intentions of the parties. A modified order must meet the requirements of section 3105.82 of the Revised Code.

Section 3105.90 | Form for court orders.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 535 - 123rd General Assembly

The state retirement systems, the Ohio state bar association, and the Ohio domestic relations judges association shall jointly create a form to be used by courts for orders described in section 3105.81 of the Revised Code. Each state retirement system shall, by rule adopted in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code, adopt the form created under this section.

Section 3105.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates section 3105.02 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.