Blast From The Past: HIPAA Authorization Form: How to Ensure You Can Help Your Adult College Kids in the Event of a Medical Emergency

medical record

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorite posts about the importance of HIPAA forms from back on December 30th, 2017! 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!

Ohio HIPAA Authorization Form

hipaa release form medical informationParents spend their entire lives worrying about, and trying to protect their children. When they are younger, we try to teach them the necessary skills they will need to become a successful adult, and above all, keep them safe.

In Ohio, once a person turns 18 years old, they are no longer considered a “child” in the eyes of the law, though, for a parent, they will always be considered such.  Therefore, imagine the potential nightmare that could occur if your young, adult child were to be involved in an accident leaving them incapacitated, and the medical staff informs you that they cannot give you any information due to HIPPA regulations.

Download a sample Medical Information HIPAA Release Form For Your Adult Child To Complete

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, (HIPAA) is a federal law that safeguards who can access an … Read More... “Blast From The Past: HIPAA Authorization Form: How to Ensure You Can Help Your Adult College Kids in the Event of a Medical Emergency”

Blast From The Past: Divorce: The Important Role Schools Can Play for Your Kids

divorce school teacher

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites Divorce posts from back on March 16th, 2019! The advice rings as true now as it did then…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!

School Can Be Safe Place For Children Going Through Divorce Or Separation

divorce school teacherWhen a couple divorces, the children are obviously affected by the change in living circumstances. All children react differently. Some may experience severe emotional responses. Others may be somewhat relieved as there is not that constant tension between their parents. In all cases however, there will a period of adjustment. Your child’s emotional and social well-being are at stake and how they are able to cope can have an impact on their learning.  Parents should not overlook their children’s teachers and how the school can help make the transition and adjustment easier. Often when going through a divorce parents are overwhelmed and stressed and providing the support for their children without any help can be difficult.

During a separation and a divorce it is good to maintain as normal of a routine at home, but … Read More... “Blast From The Past: Divorce: The Important Role Schools Can Play for Your Kids”

Blast From The Past: How to Tell Your Children About Your Filing for Divorce

divorce children filing

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites posts on how to tell your children about your filing for divorce, from back on October 15th, 2022! 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!

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

divorce children filingHaving 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:

  1. 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

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Blast From The Past: Child Visitation Exchanges – Tips to Avoid Problems!

visitation exchanges custody

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites posts about child visitation exchanges, from back on June 13th, 2020! The advice rings as true now as it did then. …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!

Visitation Exchanges. Do this to Avoid Friction with your Ex!

visitation exchanges custodyVisitation exchanges and custody exchanges can be uncomfortable and sometimes downright combative depending upon the relationship between the parents. They can also be stressful to your child as well. The overall objective needs to be to keep things civil and reduce friction all the way around.

Here are some common-sense tips of what to do, or not do in visitation exchanges:

  1. Coordinate Drop Off/Pick Up Location: In high conflict cases, the less you have to interact with your Ex the better. One common approach is agreeing upon making the switch at school, a daycare center, babysitters or friend’s house.  Other options are at a public place such as a park or restaurant. In extreme situations, some folks will make the exchange outside the local police department. You need to figure a spot that is
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Blast From The Past: May is Mental Health Month – How Divorce can Affect Mental Health?

mental health month divorce

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: May is Mental Health Month. I want to thank now former paralegal Kaylyn Hohn for writing this article. We all miss you!

Higher Conflict Divorces Lead To A Worse Decline In Mental Health Issues According To Study. Nearly 25% Of All Ohioans Impacted

mental health month divorceFor the last 70 years, the month of May has been observed as “Mental Health Month“, and according to the community-based non-profit, Mental Health America, nearly 25% of Ohioans have experienced mental health issues in the last few years.

Mental Health Month  provides an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of mental illness, and to remind Ohioans that it’s OK not to be OK and it’s OK to ask for help,” said Aimee Shadwich, the RecoveryOhio Director in a press release by the state of Ohio on May 4th of this year.

“It is critical that access to timely and effective care is available to those who need it,” she continued.

Nationwide, about 1 in every 5 Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health condition in any given year, like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. These conditions can affect one’s “emotional, psychological and social well-being” according … Read More... “Blast From The Past: May is Mental Health Month – How Divorce can Affect Mental Health?”

Blast From The Past: What Happens in Ohio if I Lose My Will?

estate planning documents beneficiary

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on September 24, 2022. Securing an experienced Estate Planning lawyer is EXTREMELY important! We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool to find the help you are seekjng.

A Lost or Destroyed Will Can Be Submitted To Probate…Under Certain Circumstances

estate planning documents beneficiaryWe strongly suggest that our clients protect all of their original estate planning documents by keeping them in a fireproof container. This includes their Last Will and testament. However, what happens if a will is somehow lost or destroyed?

A lost, spoiled or destroyed will can be admitted to probate under certain circumstances. The question becomes did the testator intentionally destroy the will, which makes it null and void or was it unintentionally lost or destroyed which makes it still valid. The law in Ohio used to be that if a will could not be found, the assumption was that it was intentionally destroyed as a way of revoking it. This assumption no longer exists.

Keep your Original Estate Planning Documents in a Safe Place

Upon applying to admit a lost or … Read More... “Blast From The Past: What Happens in Ohio if I Lose My Will?”

Blast From The Past: Post-Divorce: Here Are Three Ways to Declutter Negative Thoughts After Recent Divorce. Is it Time for Some Spring Cleaning for Your Mind?

declutter negative thoughts divorce support system

Declutter Negative Thoughts After Divorce

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Here is one of my favorites posts from back on March 14th, 2022! 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!

Spring Cleaning for the Mind? How to Declutter Negative Thoughts After Divorce

declutter negative thoughts divorce support system

The sight of blooming flower blossoms always prompts the itch to spring clean. While we may toss out our junk, scrub the floors, and dust the furniture, we often don’t take the time to declutter the negative thoughts that intrude in our minds daily. This is especially true for recently divorced individuals, who often experience loneliness, anxiety, guilt, and grief.

Here are three ways to declutter those negative thoughts just in time to welcome the change of the seasons!

  1. Engage in Self-Care

    Self-care is perhaps one of the easiest ways to start decluttering negative thoughts after a divorce. We hear often about doing self-care, but what exactly is self-care?

    Self-care is generally defined as doing anything to improve one’s mental health. This can be done in a variety of ways. It can be as simple as reading a book for

Read More... “Blast From The Past: Post-Divorce: Here Are Three Ways to Declutter Negative Thoughts After Recent Divorce. Is it Time for Some Spring Cleaning for Your Mind?”
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