Property Division Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio
Our Columbus property division lawyers focus on protecting your assets and securing your future after divorce or separation. We are experienced trial lawyers who know when to litigate and when to negotiate. We are committed to providing personal attention and will guide you with clear direction and unwavering support every step of the way.
When you are at a crossroads wondering how to approach dividing your marital property, it can be confusing whether you have a home, a car, a vacation rental, a business, intellectual property, an art collection, and/or pets. Who gets what? You may start out with intentions to resolve the division in a fair and friendly way, but it can quickly escalate and get ugly when it comes to fairly dividing marital debt or sentimental property.
Property division is subject not only to a complete inventory, requiring appraisals and accurate valuations, but also to your emotional attachment and your future financial stability. At The Nigh Law Group, our attorneys have decades of experience serving family law clients in Columbus and throughout Ohio, balancing advocating for a fair outcome in the divorce settlement agreement and aggressively protecting our clients’ assets.
Why Choose Our Ohio Property Division Attorneys?
Deep Courtroom Experience Across Ohio
Strategic Use of Expert Insights
Award-Winning, Highly Recognized Attorneys
Tailored Strategies for Complex Family Law Matters
Understanding Ohio’s Equitable Distribution Laws
Ohio follows the principle of equitable distribution, a legal standard that requires the court to divide marital assets fairly, which does not necessarily result in an equal split. If you and your spouse cannot agree to the terms of your property division settlement, the courts will create one. There are many factors the court considers in doing so. The courts look to the length of your marriage, your incomes and earning power, who did what, and who sacrificed a career to raise your children, among other factors.
Our legal team at The Nigh Law Group will help you take stock of marital assets subject to property division, such as:
- Financial assets: Bank accounts, investments, stock options acquired after you got married
- Debts: Credit cards, personal loans, medical expenses, mortgage loans in one or both of your names
- Veiled assets: Both parties must provide a full financial disclosure; one spouse may hold property or maintain a separate bank account established during the marriage without the other’s knowledge
Separate property includes your jewelry, art, real estate, and other substantial gifts you owned prior to the date of your marriage or inherited in your name only during the marriage. Separate property is exempt from the property division inventory upon divorce, annulment, or dissolution.
Our property division attorneys can help you identify and value marital property, negotiate with your spouse, and ensure the protection of your interests. We regularly work with a constellation of financial forensic experts. Financial forensic experts are critical allies in protecting your interests. They are professionals who provide accounting, auditing, and investigative services to uncover the full financial picture and support the development of a strong strategy aimed at achieving a fair and equitable division of marital assets and debts. They help us expose hidden assets, scrutinize financial transactions, and, when needed, provide persuasive expert testimony to the court.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Property Division
Our family law attorneys have decades of experience in and out of Ohio’s courtrooms. Here are some brief answers to questions they are frequently asked. For legal advice and counsel, contact us for an appointment.
What is equitable distribution, and how does it apply in Ohio divorce cases?
How are retirement accounts and pensions divided in a divorce?
What happens to debt in a divorce, and how is it divided?
Get Guidance From an Experienced Columbus Property Division Attorney
Our Ohio property division lawyers can assist you with navigating mediation and litigation of matters relating to property division in your divorce. Drawing from decades of experience, we can confidently say to you, we’ve got your back when times get tough. Call us today at 614-379-6444 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.