Columbus Same-Sex Divorce Lawyer

Columbus Same-Sex Divorce Attorney

You Built a Life Together. Divorce Should Not Erase the Years It Took to Build It.

Navigating a same-sex divorce in Ohio often involves distinct legal considerations, particularly when establishing how courts account for assets, debts, and property acquired prior to the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Ohio law requires a precise presentation of pre-marital contributions, co-owned property, spousal support claims, and parentage or custody rights to ensure an equitable division.

Babbitt & Dahlberg Law, LLC provides objective, strategic representation focused on accurately detailing all financial and personal contributions, with legal counsel led by a specialist certified in family relations law by the Ohio State Bar Association since 2011.

Divorce Issues That Look Different for a Married Same-Sex Couple in Columbus

Every divorce divides a shared life. A same-sex divorce often has to account for years together that came before the wedding was even legally possible. As your Columbus same-sex divorce attorney, I handle:

• Shared property built early: Property and debt built together before Ohio recognized your marriage, including homes and accounts held jointly before 2015.
• Spousal support questions: Spousal support after a long-term relationship that only became a shorter legal marriage on paper.
• Parenting arrangements: Parenting time and decision-making for children you have raised together, regardless of which parent is biological or adoptive.
• Retirement and long-term assets: Retirement accounts, pensions, and jointly titled assets earned over decades of partnership.

Strong Advocacy.
Compassionate
Counsel.

Schedule a Consultation

Why the Length of Your Marriage Is Not the Whole Story

Ohio courts grant a divorce under Ohio Revised Code 3105.171, and once a divorce is granted, judges typically start property and support decisions from the date of the legal marriage rather than the date your relationship actually began.

For couples together for years before Obergefell v. Hodges made marriage possible in 2015, that gap can shortchange you for everything you built together long before the wedding. How your relationship’s full history is presented to the court can change what a judge considers fair.

Questions Same-Sex Couples Ask Before Filing in Columbus

How does the court view the years we were together before we could marry?

A judge starts with the length of your legal marriage, not how long you were a couple before 2015. I present the full picture of your relationship, including the years you spent building a home and finances together, so the court sees more than the date on your marriage license.

Will we have to go to court in person?

Not always. Many Columbus divorces settle through negotiation or mediation and never reach a trial. After reviewing your situation, I will tell you honestly whether your case is likely to settle or head to a hearing.

What happens to our children’s parenting schedule?

Ohio courts decide parenting time based on the children’s best interest, not on which parent is the biological or adoptive parent. I build a parenting plan around your family’s actual routine and your children’s needs.

Talk to a Columbus Same-Sex Divorce Lawyer Who Has Handled This From the Start

You do not need to have this figured out before you reach out. Contact our firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Columbus same-sex divorce attorney who has watched this area of family law grow since marriage equality began.

We will talk through what matters most to you and what your next step can look like.