Robert L. Mues, Author at Ohio Family Law Blog

Domestic Violence Cases Continue to Skyrocket!

Did You Know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?

On September 21, 2022, I attended a Zoom seminar convened by Federal U.S. Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbey and U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman, to provide an update on domestic violence cases in the Southern District of Ohio. They assembled an excellent panel for the seminar including Magistrate Jacquelin V. Gaines from the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court; Jane Keiffer, the executive Director of the Artemis Center; Summer Hawks, the Executive Director of the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyer Project and Carl Anderson, a Senior Attorney with Legal Aid of Western Ohio.

They gave a re-cap about the Power Act, which was enacted on September 4, 2018, designed to promote pro bono legal services to empower survivors of domestic violence. In part, the Act states: “Research and studies have demonstrated that the provision of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking reduces the probability of such violence or behavior reoccurring in the future and can help survivors move forward.”

Interestingly, the Act states that “Legal representation increases the possibility of successfully obtaining a protective order against an attacker, which prevents further … Read More... “Domestic Violence Cases Continue to Skyrocket!”

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicide Prevention – Seek Help With These Supportive Resources

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. It is hoped that this initiative will help to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. The goal of the various suicide prevention organizations is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

Here are some alarming statistics:

Individual Impact:

79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.
Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition – but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Community Impact:

Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
- 4.9% of all adults
- 11.3% of young

Looking for an Online Parenting After Divorce Seminar? Have You Considered the eNew Beginnings Program?

eNew Beginnings Program is a Parenting Skills Program Designed To improve Parenting Quality

Parenting After Divorce: New eNew Beginnings Program Allows Parents to Learn on Their Own Schedule

It is an unfortunate statistic, but nearly half of the marriages in the United States fail, ending in divorce. Over one million children are affected by their parents divorce. These children are more likely to be at risk of experiencing mental health issues, struggling in school and at increased risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior, as well as for substance abuse.

Sharlene Wolchik and Irwin Sandler both professors of psychology at Arizona State University, led a study and adapted an in person parenting skills program into a web based program called The eNew Beginnings Program. It is designed to be asynchronous, which means a person can learn on their own schedule. The class can be taken anytime, any place where the learner has access to a computer, even on a smart phone. This web based program has 10 sessions. These sessions focus on interparental conflict and parenting quality.

Of course many parents are worried about the statistics and how their divorce will affect their children. Sandler reports, “This … Read More... “Looking for an Online Parenting After Divorce Seminar? Have You Considered the eNew Beginnings Program?”

Blast From The Past: What is a Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement and What is Its Purpose?

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorite posts about the definition of a Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement and it’s purpose, from August 8, 2020! We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool and enjoy a few oldie but goodies!

Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement

Divorce Lawyers Require A Retainer Fee On Start Of Your Legal Representation

So, unfortunately you find yourself meeting with a divorce lawyer to discuss terminating your marriage. The conference goes well and after careful consideration you decide to hire the lawyer.

HOW DO DIVORCE LAWYERS CHARGE?

When the subject of fees and the attorney’s hourly rate comes up, you will likely hear the request for a “retainer fee“. Most all divorce lawyers will require a retainer fee at the inception of accepting your legal representation. Some, on the other hand will instead request a fixed fee amount rather than one based upon the amount of time and services provided. Fixed fee divorce representation is rare these days, in part because it is impossible to really gauge the number of hours which will be required, contested issues, or the level of … Read More... “Blast From The Past: What is a Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement and What is Its Purpose?”

Here are Some of the Worst Things that You Can Do After a Divorce!

Important “Don’t Dos” Post-Divorce Checklist Could Be Crucial In Healing From Painful Divorce Proceedings

Should you use a Post-Divorce Checklist? How about Tips to Avoid!

Typically going through a divorce is a “bad” experience. Often times these are very long painful proceedings. A couple of years ago I posted a blog article titled “A Post-Divorce Checklist“. Here is a link to that article. Below is the flip-side to that post!

Here are 8 “Don’t Dos Post-Divorce.”

DON’T EXPECT YOUR EX TO BE REASONABLE

If your Ex was not reasonable during the divorce, it is likely that his/her “reasonableness” level won’t have changed after the divorce is finalized! So, that means to plan accordingly. Try to plan way ahead so you can get your divorce lawyer involved if necessary. But always do your best to maintain a positive relationship with your Ex after the divorce.
DON’T TRY TO GET EVEN WITH YOUR EX

No matter how miserably you were treated during your marriage, never try to retaliate after the case is over! It likely will come back to bite you! I can share many many stories of former clients who thought that when the case was over that they

Has Your Ohio Driver’s License Been Suspended in Montgomery County Because Of Missed Child Support Payments? If So, Read this!

August is Child Support Awareness Month

Parents in Montgomery County who have had their drivers privileges suspended for not paying child support can take advantage of a special reinstatement program that is being offered during the month of August. August is Child Support Awareness Month, and the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency is giving parents with suspended licenses an opportunity to have the suspension lifted if the parent pays one month of back support. Usually in order to get the suspension lifted, the parent has to pay 3 months.

During the pandemic, many parents had financial difficulties and fell behind in making payments. Sarah Fields, Montgomery County ‘s Assistant Director for Child Support says, “We know parents want to support their children but may need help figuring out a repayment plan that works for everyone involved. This reinstatement opportunity reopens the lines of communications between CSEA and parents and allow us to work together to find solutions for their children. ” It is not debt forgiveness, but it is an opportunity for parents to get back on track.

The CSEA also offers parents services like co-parenting resources such as mediation, and employment resources. Parents taking advantage of this reinstatement … Read More... “Has Your Ohio Driver’s License Been Suspended in Montgomery County Because Of Missed Child Support Payments? If So, Read this!”

Do Men or Women Typically Initiate a Divorce First?

Statistics say 70% of marriages in the US that end in termination are initiated by women, but what do the experts really say?

When a couple decides to marry, they usually think their marriage will last until “death do us part”. Sadly though, that is often not the case. In the United States, roughly half of marriages end in divorce. Terminating a marriage is usually not something couples take lightly, and while it may be a mutual decision, the statistics show there is a clear pattern as to who makes the initial call. In the US, it is estimated that 70% of marriages that end in divorce are initiated by women. That figure rises to 90% when the woman is college educated.

So why is it that women are more likely to choose to proceed with a divorce than men? Heidi Kar, who is a licensed clinical psychologist and international mental health expert for the Education Development Center in New York sites that it is not a coincidence that the rise of divorce initiated by women coincides with women’s liberation. Kar says “Across cultures and geographies, women who are economically able to take care of themselves – which usually … Read More... “Do Men or Women Typically Initiate a Divorce First?”

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