Blast From The Past: Gambling: The Consequences Of Financial Misconduct In A Divorce

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

Financial Misconduct in a Divorce, Is it a Gambling Addiction?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog about financial misconduct in a divorce case is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on April 22, 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!

Overview on Ohio Divorce Law: Gambling as the Basis for Financial Misconduct and Unequal Division of Marital Assets Upon Divorce

financial misconduct gambling divorce

Gambling exists in every state (even in Utah and Hawaii where it is illegal), but not everyone gambles the same.  If gambling gets out of control, it becomes a real medical condition. A “Gambling Disorder”, as the affliction is known, affects slightly more than 2 percent  of all U.S. adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Gambling  can stimulate the brain’s reward system much like drugs such as alcohol can, leading to addiction”.

Individually, male gambling addicts typically accumulate an
average debt between $55,000 and $90,000.  Female gambling addicts average a $15,000 debt, by one estimate. But as one might expect, most gamblers do not have sufficient resources to pay back what they owe.… Read More... “Blast From The Past: Gambling: The Consequences Of Financial Misconduct In A Divorce”

Gambling: The Consequences Of Financial Misconduct In A Divorce

Overview on Ohio Divorce Law: Gambling as the Basis for Financial Misconduct and Unequal Division of Marital Assets Upon Divorce

Gambling financial misconduct divorceGambling exists in every state (even in Utah and Hawaii where it is illegal), but not everyone gambles the same.  If gambling gets out of control, it becomes a real medical condition. A “Gambling Disorder”, as the affliction is known, affects slightly more than 2 percent  of all U.S. adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system much like drugs such as alcohol can, leading to addiction”. Individually, male gambling addicts typically accumulate an average debt between $55,000 and $90,000.  Female gambling addicts average a $15,000 debt, by one estimate. But as one might expect, most gamblers do not have sufficient resources to pay back what they owe. As a result, gambling addicts develop a high tendency to, suffer from other health issues, lose their jobs, commit crimes, and strain their relationships and marriages. Research indicates that Ohio is tied for 4th of states with the highest percentage of adults with gambling disorders., not surprisingly, as a divorce lawyer, I have seen a significant rise of gambling problems/debts as a primary factor … Read More... “Gambling: The Consequences Of Financial Misconduct In A Divorce”

Child Support: Jackpot Earnings Can Be seized From Child Support

Casino Jackpot? Maybe Not. Another ‘Weapon’ for the Child Support Enforcement Agencies of Ohio

child support ohio jackpotThe State of Ohio has eighty-eight (88) counties and each county has a Child Support Enforcement Agency (“CSEA”) tasked with the collection of child support payments from Obligors (primarily Fathers and former Husbands). For many years, the Child Support Enforcement Agencies have been able to “intercept” Income Tax Refunds of Obligors having arrearages in their child Support Accounts.  Recently, a new “weapon” has been added to the arsenal of the Child Support Agencies.  They can now intercept racino or gambling winnings of Obligors who are behind with child support payments.

In an August 5, 2015 posting, it was reported that two (2) million dollars in unpaid child support had been “seized” from jackpot winners at the state’s casinos and racinos in the last eleven (11) months. (Caveat:  It appears that “deadbeat” Dads are also inclined to gamble!!  I was surprised at the amount of child support seized from gambling earnings!)  To achieve this success rate, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has been working with the casinos and racinos to check “jackpot winners” against a database of Child Support Obligors who owe child support.… Read More... “Child Support: Jackpot Earnings Can Be seized From Child Support”