Robert L. Mues, Author at Ohio Family Law Blog

Protect Your Credit Score if You are Going Through a Divorce!

Your Credit Score Could Drop During Divorce

If you are going through a divorce, most likely there are lots of things on your to do list, and lots of details to attend to. One of which is, protect your credit score. According to a 2019 survey conducted by Debt.com with Moneywise.com, 38% of respondents saw their credit score drop by more than 50 points after separating from their partner. If you are going from a 2 income house to a one income, yours, your financial situation could change quite a bit.

The first thing you want to do is to run your credit report. You may not like what you see, but it is not one of those things you want to ignore. Hiding your “head in the sand” and ignoring what is there won ‘t help matters. By running your credit report you will find out what your credit score is. You can run it by going to this website. annualcreditreport.com or call this number to request it. (1-877322-8228)

In addition to getting your score, you can also see all of your accounts. It will list when each account was opened, and if they are still open. … Read More... “Protect Your Credit Score if You are Going Through a Divorce!”

LEGAL ALERT: Sealing a Divorce Court Case File in Ohio May Now be a Bit Harder

Clear And Compelling Evidence Must Be Presented To Obtain An Order To Seal Records In Ohio

Going through a contentious divorce can be a horrible experience! In addition, the Courts require that lots of personal information be submitted as part of the process. But who wants all that “dirty laundry” to be online for anyone to view? There may be a lot of reasons why it could be harmful to the parties to allow public access to the filings, pleadings, decisions and Court Orders.

REQUEST TO SEAL COURT FILE?

The typical remedy is to file a motion requesting the Court to seal the entire file (or at a minimum the very sensitive ones) — meaning that the public cannot access the contents of the Court proceedings. In Ohio, as in most states, that decision comes down to the Judge’s view on the merits of your request. Typically the Judge almost has unlimited discretion to decide to seal or not seal a case file.

WHY IS MY DIVORCE CASE ANYONE ELSES BUSINESS?

In Ohio, as in most states, the court systems are “open” proceedings. [That is not true for Juvenile Court where the proceedings are generally closed.] The Rules of Superintendence for … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: Sealing a Divorce Court Case File in Ohio May Now be a Bit Harder”

How to Tell Your Children About Your Filing for Divorce

Filing For Divorce? Break The News To Your Children With These Recommendations

Having been a divorce lawyer for over 40 years, I am asked this question frequently. I always appreciate the question. It shows appropriate concern and insight about the importance of handling this matter correctly.

My advice is to spend time reading materials from counselors and psychologists on the subject more qualified to address it. There are a ton of resources available online or books on the topic. Planning ahead is important – don’t just drop this “bomb” in an off-hand nonthought-out manner.

Here are some suggestions the professionals often recommend:

Both Parents Tell the Kids Together

While this may not be possible in many situations, it certainly is usually the best approach if you and your spouse can present a civil “united front”. That will hopefully show your children that both parents will continue to be in their lives going forward. Also, doing it together prevents one parent from unintentionally (or intentionally) placing blame.
Plan What You Will Say

Avoid the thought that you need to explain EVERYTHING. Sharing the “truth” is not important. The objective is to provide the children reassurance and loving support. Generally, you

30 Humorous or Interesting Quotes About Divorce

Divorce Lawyer: A Collection of Quotes That can be Helpful In Times of Divorce or Stress

Of course, divorcing is not a laughing matter, but humor can be helpful on occasion. You can thank my daughter-in-law, Bambi, for this post if you like it. She started me thinking about this blog by sharing a comment from a customer in the boutique, Eclectic Essentials, she and my youngest son Colin own in the Oregon District in downtown Dayton.

She called me on the phone and said, “A new customer came in the shop and told us he was redecorating his house after his divorce, and he loved our store.” She said the middle-aged man said to her “You know I found out that I am allergic to marriage.” She looked at him puzzled and he went on to say, “Yup. I always break-out in a nasty divorce!” She thought that as a divorce lawyer that I would like the story. She was right and it made me laugh!

That was the impetus to the theme of this blog and my sharing some of the other interesting or humorous “divorce quotes” that I have enjoyed over my 40+ years as a … Read More... “30 Humorous or Interesting Quotes About Divorce”

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?”

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