Ohio Collaborative Dissolution Can Help You Move Forward
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I want to thank Lydia Wagenbach for writing another interesting blog post! Lydia is gaining additional legal experience elsewhere this Summer but has agreed to share a few of her blog posts for our readers. Lydia will be starting her third and final year of law school this Fall at the University of Dayton School of Law. Besides law, Lydia, you have the talent to add a side gig working as a reality television show critic!
If you liked this post, click here to read the one she wrote on January 17, 2026, titled “Ohio Prenuptial Agreements: What Love is Blind Teaches Couples”. Or click here to read “The Secret Lives of Morman Wives. And Domestic Violence: The Devastating Impact on Child Custody Arrangements. Lydia! You are a GREAT writer!
The Predecessor of “Hot Divorcee Summer”: “Hot Girl Summer”
In 2019, American rapper and songwriter Megan Thee Stallion released a song called “Hot Girl Summer.” In the song, Meg encourages people to live confidently and truthfully and to embrace being the life of the party. In an interview with The Root, Meg further defined “hot girl summer” as “women – and men – just being unapologetically them.” The phrase exploded online, with memes and videos of women prepping for the “Hot Girl Summer” of their dreams — trying new experiences, wearing fun and flirty outfits, and having uninhibited fun.
While the phrase “Hot Divorcee Summer” is dominating social media, many couples are also discovering that an Ohio collaborative dissolution offers a respectful, lower-conflict way to move forward after the end of a marriage.
An Upgraded Trend
Now, in 2026, the phrase “Hot Girl Summer” has been upgraded. In May 2026, a slew of mainstream magazines, including The Times, Vogue, and The Guardian, all published articles about the latest summer trend: “Hot Divorcee Summer.” The phrase “hot divorcee summer” has gained similar traction on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
So, what is “hot divorcee summer”? In many ways, it has similar messaging to the 2019 trend: it emphasizes body confidence, reclaimed independence, and uninhibited fun. According to Zoe Williams’ article in The Guardian, “hot divorcee summer” brands divorce as “high glam. It’s wide-brimmed hats and full-length skirts… [it’s about embracing] an unvarnished devil-may-care spirit.” For many, “hot divorcee summer” is simply an opportunity to start pulling out high-glam looks: big sunglasses, floppy sunhats, and stylish sundresses. For others, “hot divorcee summer” isn’t about being divorced, but, as this Fierce article describes it, is instead about the “kind of ‘I don’t care what you think’ confidence that somehow makes you look the best you’ve ever looked.”
However, a closer examination of the trend reveals a deeper meaning. In an article written for Chatelaine, Flannery Dean describes the trend as one that is dedicated to the midlife ladies. While many brands have capitalized on the trend, Dean writes that there is a broader truth buried in all the influencer-adjacent hype. She writes, “Midlife can be a period of rebirth for many women, especially those who may have spent precious years grinding away in an unforgivingly unhappy relationship.” For many midlife women, she posits, “hot divorcee summer” allows them to reclaim their post-marital selves in a way that can be joyous.
How an Ohio Collaborative Dissolution Can Help You Move Forward
For many (if not most) couples, divorce is the antithesis of all things glamorous. Divorce can be — and is usually — emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially taxing. Thankfully, an Ohio collaborative dissolution allows many couples to end their marriage with less conflict, lower costs, and greater dignity than traditional litigation. In fact, filing a collaborative dissolution as opposed to an adversarial divorce action might help parties more quickly reclaim some of that “joy” that Dean talks about in her article.
MuesLaw frequently assists clients pursuing an Ohio collaborative dissolution, helping couples reach fair agreements without unnecessary courtroom conflict. As the name implies, a collaborative dissolution is a collaboration between two spouses. Each party secures his/her own attorney, and with their guidance, exchanges all asset, debt, retirement, and financial information, as well as other items needed to make a full and complete disclosure. The goal of this is to end the process having resolved ALL divorce, property division, support, custody, parenting time and ancillary issues and then file a joint no-fault agreed-upon dissolution action.
Many clients find this approach more attractive than a traditional, adversarial divorce action. Every Ohio collaborative dissolution is unique, but the shared goal remains the same: resolving important issues respectfully while allowing both spouses to move forward. MuesLaw helps clients throughout Ohio navigate the Ohio collaborative dissolution process with experienced legal guidance tailored to each family’s unique circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Collaborative Dissolution in Ohio
What is a collaborative dissolution in Ohio?
A collaborative dissolution is a no-fault legal process where both spouses work together with their attorneys to resolve all issues before filing jointly with the court.
Is collaborative dissolution different from divorce?
Yes. A dissolution requires both spouses to agree on every issue before filing, while a divorce often involves contested court proceedings.
Is collaborative dissolution less expensive?
In many cases, yes. Because both parties cooperate instead of litigating, collaborative dissolutions often reduce attorney fees and court costs.
Can MuesLaw help with collaborative dissolution?
Yes. MuesLaw assists Ohio couples with collaborative dissolutions, divorce matters, child custody, parenting time, and related family law issues.
MuesLaw Provides Experienced, Trusted and Professional Advice if You Are Considering Ending Your Marriage.
An experienced attorney can guide you through an Ohio collaborative dissolution while protecting your legal rights and helping you reach practical, lasting agreements. MuesLaw can assist you with your divorce, dissolution and parenting/custody related issues. To learn more, please go to our website at mueslaw.com or call us at (937) 293-2141. We can schedule an in-person conference or one by phone or Zoom. We look forward to assisting you!
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© 2026, Ohio Family Law Blog. All rights reserved.
Lydia Wagenbach is a clerk at the Centerville, Ohio law firm, MuesLaw. She will be starting her third and final year this fall at the University of Dayton School of Law.
