Robert L. Mues, Author at Ohio Family Law Blog

Tips to Maintain Good Communications with Your Spouse During a Divorce

Divorce with your spouse not going well? Good communication plays important role for a happier outcome

It would seem to go without saying, that good communication between a couple is an essential part of a good marriage. However, did you know that good communication between the two spouses is just as important when navigating the often turbulent waters during a divorce? As a married couple you may have had good communication, or perhaps your lack of communication was one of the reasons for the divorce.

No matter what has happened in the past it is important to be able to communicate with your soon to be ex. You may be experiencing sadness, anger, stress, frustration, among other emotions, but by establishing an effective means of communication is an important part to help the process move on more smoothly.

You might be tempted to minimize contact with your ex, however this is not the way to go. If children are involved you will have to communicate with your spouse for many years to come. However, if you were married to an abusive person or if there is a restraining order involved, then it is vital you consult with … Read More... “Tips to Maintain Good Communications with Your Spouse During a Divorce”

Effects of Divorce on Children – Some Interesting Statistics

Financial Statistics Reveal Compelling Divorce Data

The Financial and Emotional Impact for Kids of Divorce – What do the Statistics Really Say?

I have always found statistics and research studies quite interesting. I like to look at them to see how they compare to my own perceptions and life experiences.

As a divorce lawyer for 40 plus years, and publisher of the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2009, keeping on top of divorce trends is something I enjoy doing. In searching the internet recently, I came across the website www.financesonline.com. I found this website to have an amazingly broad aggregation of divorce related information and statistics (including footnotes to their sources). I spent a fair amount of time reading it and thought sharing the link might be worthwhile to our blog readers. Here is a sample section. Perhaps it will pique your interest!

EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON CHILDREN:

Divorced spouses evade over 30% of child support payments, with less than 50% paid in full. (Leefeldt, 2019)
Moreover, only 43.5% of custodial parents receive full support from their former spouses. (Leefeldt, 2019)
In addition, more than $10 billion in child support payments in the US go uncollected. (Leefeldt, 2019)
26.5%

Don’ts if You are Considering a Divorce

Contemplating a Divorce? 5 things NOT to do!

Here are 5 things NOT to do if you are contemplating a divorce:

Number 1: Don’t Tell Everyone the News…

As much as you might want to discuss the news that you and your spouse may be headed for a divorce, bite your tongue. Do your best to try to stay calm, and not talk about it with all your friends and family. I can’t tell you how many folks I see to discuss a “possible” divorce that manage to resolve the impending crisis and remain married. By sharing the “dirt” at the thought of divorcing, you may end up poisoning your spouse’s relationship with others and damage your relationship if things are patched up.

Number 2: Don’t Retaliate…

Emotions can run very high when a person learns that a divorce may be in the near future. Do your best to curb those emotions! If you can’t sleep and the anxiety is overwhelming, be sure to go see your family doctor. I had one client who believed her husband was having an affair at work, so she cut off every button on all of his dress shirts. Another one who … Read More... “Don’ts if You are Considering a Divorce”

Did You Receive Child Tax Credit Money? Check For This Important IRS Letter Before Filing!

Internal Revenue Service Issues Letter 6419 for Those Who Received Child Tax Credit Money Last Year

The tax season began January 24, 2022, and you may be thinking you’re ready to go ahead and file your 2021 taxes. Well, there might be one more document coming from the Internal Revenue Service if you and your family received advance child tax credit money last year – Letter 6419.

The IRS began issuing these important letters in December, but according to USA Today, many people still hadn’t received their letters as of January 19, 2022. Still, it is important that, if you believe you’re going to receive that letter, you keep an eye out for it.

So, who is going to receive a Letter 6419 from the IRS?

Letter 6419 will be sent to any qualifying family that received payments from the child tax credit from July 2021 to December 2021.

The advance child tax credit payments were a temporary expanded program where families would receive half of their child tax credit over the course of six months in 2021 – July to December. The payments included up to $300 a month for each child through age 5 and up … Read More... “Did You Receive Child Tax Credit Money? Check For This Important IRS Letter Before Filing!”

New Year Resolutions for Those Going Through a Divorce

Making a Resolution can help you focus after Divorce

Going Through a Divorce in the New Year? Make a Resolution to Help you through the Adjustment!

As we embrace the new year, changes are inevitable. Especially if you are going through a separation or divorce. For you this might be a time of loss and sadness. Also think of it as a time of the hope for a brighter, happier future. The key is in the mindset about how to act and think differently in the new year.

Typically, people make promises to exercise more, or eat a healthier way, or perhaps lose weight. Often these goals are made with good intentions and start off strong, but within a month or so are forgotten. It might be more meaningful and helpful, especially for someone going through divorce to focus on a philosophical position, and to work on changing their mindset.

Below please find some useful resolutions that perhaps will help you to adjust your thinking and actions during a difficult time such as divorce.

Make a resolution to forgive…

Forgive you might ask, after all I have gone through? When you can forgive your ex it doesn’t … Read More... “New Year Resolutions for Those Going Through a Divorce”

Blast From The Past: New Year, New Divorce? Things to Consider First!

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

Should you file for Divorce in January?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on January 20, 2018. 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!

January Most Popular Month for Couples to File for Divorce

Experts say that January is the most popular month of the year for couples to file for divorce in Ohio. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas), it is common for couples to put off their divorce plans until after the first of the year. Even though many couples are struggling with their marriage before the holiday season, they tend to push back getting a divorce in order to make the holidays more enjoyable and memorable for their kids.

According to Cathy Meyer, who founded DivorcedWomenOnline.com and is a certified divorce consultant stated, “Dissatisfied husbands and wives begin searching for information on divorce immediately after the holidays”. She has experienced a huge increase in page views and searches the day after Christmas. People start looking for information before the New Year … Read More... “Blast From The Past: New Year, New Divorce? Things to Consider First!”

Ignoring Parenting Time Orders Can Result in a Change in Custody!

Battle Between Parents in Steele Case Results in Custody Change in Favor of Father

The Steele case is the conclusion of a hasty custody battle between Charles Steele and Bobbi Malocu (fka Steele). When two parents get a divorce, the court will either have the parents agree on a custody plan or will order a custody plan to be followed. When the court ordered custody and visitation agreements are violated, it can be a revolving door of one parent complaining of the violation, the court ordering the compliance of the plan, and then the other parent failing to comply. The court would give continuous orders and admonishments for compliance, and nothing would change until there was a significant change in circumstance to warrant a custody modification.

The Steele case changed that precedent when the Court changing custody due to constant non-compliance of the court ordered custody agreement. Therefore, the Steele case is an example of what could happen when a custodial parent interferes with the non-custodial parent’s parenting time by ignoring court orders. This decision was rendered on October 15, 2021, by the Second Appellate District (Montgomery County, Ohio).

FACTS OF THE RECENT STEELE V. STEELE CASE:

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