When ending a marriage, one of the first questions that crosses many people’s minds is whether spousal support will be ordered. It is important to know that there is no specific law in Ohio dictating when spousal support should be ordered. Instead, in Ohio, there are several identified factors that the judge or magistrate must consider in rendering a decision. These factors are not only used to determine whether to grant spousal support but also to decide how much support to grant. Unlike child support, there is no set calculation to determine spousal support.
Although there is no specific law regarding the term of spousal support, there are certain guidelines and rules of thumb, so to speak, of which proficient attorneys are aware. For instance, when considering how long a spousal support order is likely to last, a commonly used rule of thumb in Ohio is 1/3 the length of the marriage. However, it is uncommon for a short-term marriage (those under three years) to lead to the granting of spousal support. On the other hand, it is common for spousal support orders for long-term marriages (those over twenty-five years) to be indefinite.
Having an attorney who is familiar with how certain judges and magistrates apply these standards can be a great advantage. With the amount of discretion granted to the judge or magistrate, it can be difficult to determine how best to proceed on the issue of spousal support in your divorce or dissolution. Determining how to handle spousal support issues requires the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney. At Wood & Long, LLC, our focus on family law has provided us with vast experience with local judges and magistrates, giving us the knowledge necessary to help you resolve your spousal support issue. If you need insightful guidance regarding spousal support, contact our office at (614) 567-3031 to schedule an initial consultation.