DIVORCE PITFALLS

Many individuals choose to represent themselves in a divorce or dissolution case.  Oftentimes, in very simple matters, this is not a terrible decision.  However, a recent case demonstrates the potential negative consequences of not having qualified counsel.[1]

In this recent case, Husband and Wife dissolved their marriage in 2003.  The parties agreed on all matters, including a provision on how to divide Husband’s pension.  The pension was to be divided pursuant to an Order that was filed with the Court.

Wife’s lawyer prepared the Order, as Husband was not represented by an attorney.  The problem was that the Order was inconsistent with the parties’ agreement, and Wife received a larger portion of the pension than she was entitled to.

Husband filed a motion with the Court to correct this error.  Ultimately, his motion was denied because certain language was not included in the original agreement with his Wife, language that would have permitted his motion to go forward.  Without this language, Husband needed to appeal his case within 30 days from the filing of the Order.  There would have been little reason for him to do so, as he would not have known there was an error within the 30 day timeframe.  Pension divisions often take many months before they are processed by the plan administrator.

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, the Order used to divide retirement benefits, can be very complicated documents, filled with legalese.  The original agreement needed to have language giving the Court jurisdiction to correct errors in the pension Order.  Since it did not, Husband is stuck with the error, and Wife will continue to receive the additional benefits.

[1] Pearl v. Pearl, 2012-Ohio-4752.

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Marty Hubbell is a partner in the law firm of Diehl & Hubbell, LLC (www.DiehlHubbell.com), and has been practicing domestic relations law in Warren County, Ohio since 2001. He was recently named an Ohio Super Lawyer for the third time, and has been named to the Top 40 Under 40 list. He is also a part-time Magistrate for the City of Lebanon, Ohio. He can be reached at (513) 932-2121 or MHubbell@DiehlHubbell.com