There are professionals who can play an important role in divorce proceedings. For example, when there are disputes related to minor children, the courts sometimes decide to appoint a guardian ad litum. This professional serves as an advocate for the children, attempting to establish what is in their best interests and push for favorable family arrangements.
Not all couples have children, so custody arguments may not be part of their divorce. Even when couples share children, doing what is best for the children might be one of the few things that parents can agree on when they divorce. Property division, on the other hand, can be a very contentious matter. People may worry about their spouses lying about their assets or wasting property during divorce. Sometimes, judges appoint receivers in complex divorce cases.
What does a receiver do, and are they actually necessary for divorcing couples in Ohio?
Receivers manage marital assets
The basic role of a receiver is to manage marital property. Perhaps the couple shares an ownership interest in a small business, or perhaps they have an extensive investment portfolio.
A receiver takes control over that marital property and manages it until the end of the divorce process. Effectively, the role of a receiver is to protect marital resources and prevents either spouse from significantly damaging the marital estate.
Are receivers necessary?
The vast majority of divorce cases in Ohio do not require the support of a receiver. In fact, appointing them is a relatively uncommon solution. They may only be necessary in cases involving high conflict, increased risk of financial misconduct and high-value marital assets.
Spouses can generally avoid the expense and frustration of working with a receiver if they can settle their own financial matters. That being said, sometimes judges do determine that a receivership is necessary for a fair divorce outcome. In such cases, spouses may temporarily lose control of their property until after a judge finalizes the asset division decree.
Understanding the types of professionals who can influence divorce proceedings can help people understand what to expect or request as they prepare for an upcoming Ohio divorce. Receivers are sometimes necessary to protect a marital estate, but most couples do not require that degree of outside support during divorce.
