What to Do if Your Spouse is Missing and You Want a Divorce in Ohio?

divorce service of process missing spouse

Ohio Court Can Publish Divorce Complaint In Local Newspaper If The Address Of Missing Spouse Is Unknown

divorce service of process missing spouseTypically when a divorce is filed the adverse spouse is served with the summons, divorce complaint and other required documents. This can be accomplished a number of ways as set forth in the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.  Obtaining “service of process” is essential for the Court to obtain jurisdiction over the matter and to proceed with your case and issue orders over support, property division, custody etc. All states require that the opposing spouse receive a copy of the divorce papers typically delivered by a private process server (especially if there are any restraining orders).

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU LOOSE TRACK OF YOUR SPOUSE AND WANT A DIVORCE?

Most states have a law or civil rule about the requirements to utilize the service by publication provision when the address of the defendant is unknown.

Ohio Civil Rule 4.4(A) permits an individual to be served by publication when his or her address is unknown. To serve a defendant by publication when the defendant’s address is unknown, the plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel must file an affidavit with the court indicating the following:… Read More... “What to Do if Your Spouse is Missing and You Want a Divorce in Ohio?”

Divorce: Service Of Process In Ohio

Don’t Know Your Spouse’s Location? How to Complete “Service of Process” When Seeking A Divorce In Ohio

divorce service of processWhen I am retained by a client (Husband or Wife) who is seeking a divorce from his or her spouse, one of my initial questions is:  Do you know where your spouse is residing?  Or, do you know where your spouse is living or working?  This information is important as the spouse will need to be formally “served” with the Complaint for Divorce and associated pleadings (Financial Affidavit, Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Family Questionnaire, and Title IV-D Application for Child Support Services).  The two (2) most commonly used methods of serving a party with the necessary divorce papers are:

  1. Personal Service of Process:  A Process Server is identified to personally go to the residence or place of employment of the Defendant and to personally deliver the divorce packet (containing all the pleadings and Summons of the Court) to the Defendant.  The Process Server then notifies the Court that personal service of the Defendant has been completed or accomplished.  What are the qualifications of a Process Server?  The person must be eighteen (18) years or older, not a party to the case, and appointed by
Read More... “Divorce: Service Of Process In Ohio”