LEGAL ALERT: New Proposed Ohio Law Would Allow Military Families to Choose Schools for Their Children

Alert! Key Legal Update

What does the new Ohio Senate Bill 208 military school choice mean for Military families?

Impact of Ohio Senate Bill 208 Military School Choice on Military Families

Ohio Senate Bill 208 military school choiceReflecting on the recent Memorial Day holiday and thinking about how much our military families have sacrificed and continue to do so, I wanted to draw attention to Senate Bill 208 which was passed by the Ohio Senate on May 22, 2024. State Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson is credited with being the primary sponsor of the bill and says that it was brought to her attention as an issue of great importance by the Department of Defense.

“Military families are at a disadvantage when it comes to enrollment options available to their children, due to the timing of military directed moves,” said Shane Preston, Great Lakes Region Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense, in written testimony. “Military families move frequently and change school systems upwards of 10 times prior to graduation.”

Key Provisions of the new proposed Ohio Senate Bill

Ohio Senate Bill 208 military school choice allows military personnel the opportunity to enroll their children in almost any Ohio public school regardless of the district they live in. Ohio law … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: New Proposed Ohio Law Would Allow Military Families to Choose Schools for Their Children”

“Scam Alert – Watch out!”

holiday scams online bbb

Military Consumers Suffer More Loses Financially From Fraud According To BBB Scam Tracker Report

Better Business Bureau Creates the “BBB Scam Tracker” For Businesses and Consumers To Report Both Successful and Attempted Acts of Fraud

bbb scam tracker militaryPerhaps you have been getting emails, phone calls or texts either telling you to verify information or if you don’t your account will be suspended. Or maybe you have been asked by what appears to be a credible source that you need to be in contact with them in order to get your package delivered. Maybe you have been contacted by the “IRS” and “they” are informing you if you do not get in contact with them, you will be going to jail for non-payment. Or perhaps you receive a very official looking email with what appears to be the logo of a company you have used before, such as the Geek Squad or Amazon asking for you to update your financial information or risk having your account terminated.

Unfortunately, scams such as these are becoming all too common. So, who do you turn to if you think you are a victim or a potential victim of a scam? Your local Better Business Bureau is … Read More... ““Scam Alert – Watch out!””

Do You Qualify for Pre-Need Burial Eligibility in a VA National Cemetery?

VA national cemetery pre-need burial eligibility program

Can You Be Buried in a VA National Cemetery? Pre-need Burial Eligibility Program Can Help Eliminate Unnecessary Stress and Delays at a Difficult Time For Military Families and Their Friends

VA national cemetery pre-need burial eligibility programAre you or a loved one considering burial in a VA national cemetery? We are blessed in Dayton to have our own VA National Cemetery. It was founded in 1867 and it includes over 116 acres and close to 50,000 graves.  The 30-foot Dayton Soldiers’ Monument towers over the cemetery as a tribute to 33 soldiers buried there who died in the War of 1812. There is a lot of history at that cemetery, and it is an interesting place to visit if you haven’t seen it.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) has launched an application where eligible individuals can plan ahead for burial in a VA national cemetery  on a first in – first out basis. Individuals will be able to notify the VA of their preference for which cemetery they would prefer as well as receive burial benefits at no cost to their family in a VA national cemetery. However, the pre-need eligibility determination only applies to VA national cemeteries, not state or tribal Veterans … Read More... “Do You Qualify for Pre-Need Burial Eligibility in a VA National Cemetery?”

Military Member’s Alert: Vigilantly Protect Your Medical Records and Personal Files!

How To Protect Your Military Medical Records, Identity, And Your Future From Fraudulent Use

military medical recordsThis is a cautionary New Year’s Resolution for all of you who are either active duty military or veterans.  The resolution is to keep yourself informed and diligent regarding your military and veteran medical records and personal files Do you know what is actually in your service files?  Do you know what might be missing?  Do you know what might be fraudulent or inaccurate?  Did you keep information on your buddies?  Did you get lonely and marry in haste, or spend a weekend leave and be left unaware that your personal information was stolen from your wallet or other ID, like a copy of orders?

If you haven’t already read about Bobbi Ann Finley, dubbed the “Military Mistress”, take a few minutes to Google her.  She drifted from base to base and married at least 15 men, cleaning them out, and then disappearing to the next victim.  She abandoned at least 9 children in her wake, all with unknown fathers, all taken in as wards of the state or members of her family. Some of the young men she “married” could one day face paternity suits … Read More... “Military Member’s Alert: Vigilantly Protect Your Medical Records and Personal Files!”

Domestic Violence Within Military Families Probable Says Study

Recent Study Reveals That Combat Assignments Increase the Probability of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse By Military Members

domestic violence militaryA recent study published by The Review of Economics and Statistics concludes that combat assignments increase the probability of intimate partner domestic violence and child abuse by active-duty military members.  Resul Cesur of the University of Connecticut Finance Department and Joseph J. Sabia of San Diego State University Department of Economics, claim to have produced the first study to consider the effect of war service on domestic violence.  While they admit that several studies exist which explore the effect of war and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on violent crime in general, they assert that none exist which focus specifically domestic violence. To access the complete study click here.

In their research, the authors looked at the effect of assigning servicemen of identical rank and occupation to combat deployments vs. non-combat deployments. The results indicated that active-duty members who served in combat zones had an increased probability of subsequent domestic violence, as compared to those who were assigned to non-combat areas.  In addition, those who served in combat zones also showed a decrease in trust of their partner at home and … Read More... “Domestic Violence Within Military Families Probable Says Study”

Military Custody Law Update For Deployed Members

Congress Passes Law Affording Military Custody Protection to Our Deployed Servicemembers

Deployment Can No Longer Be Held Against Military Parent In Child Custody Disputes

military custody law
Left to Right: Lt. Eva Slusher, her daughter Sara Slusher and Mike Turner

For 8 years, Michael R. Turner, R.-Ohio, has been calling for Congress to afford its military members child custody protection while deployed; it appears they finally listened.

In February 2010 and February 2011, Anne Shale posted articles entitled, “They Fight for America and Upon Return Must Fight for Their Children” and “BREAKING NEWS: Secretary of Defense Gates Changes Position to Protect Custodial Parents Deployed Overseas!” articles addressed Turner’s arduous fight to persuade lawmakers to amend the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) to provide military members child custody protections while deployed overseas.  Tuner was inspired in 2007 when he met Lt. Eva Slusher, a member of the Kentucky National Guard, who lost custody of her daughter after returning home from a deployment in 2004 because according to the judge, “the military lifestyle is not stable and is not conducive to raising children.”  While Slusher did eventually regain custody of her daughter, it took approximately $25,000 in court costs and 2 years…precious time that she … Read More... “Military Custody Law Update For Deployed Members”

Military Divorce Rate Climbs – Are Multiple Deployments at Fault?

Recent Study Reveals Increased Length In Deployments Will Increase The Risk Of Military Divorce

military divorce ohioA recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation with the Department of Defense sponsorship found that increased length in deployments will increase the risk of divorce.  The study goes into detail regarding marriages originating prior to and after the September 11, 2001, attacks.  The study found that couples who married prior to the attacks and had one of the spouses deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan were over 20% more likely to divorce than couples who married after the September 11 attacks.  The researchers conducting this study believed that this was likely due to the fact that couples who married after the attacks were better equipped to deal with the challenges of war.

Another study conducted in 2011 found that military divorce rates overall had an uptick from what they had been in the past.  This study found that from 2000-2011 the enlisted military divorce rate increased drastically from 2.9% to 4.2%, edging out the civilian rate of divorce.  A San Diego divorce attorney opined that the increased rate is caused most likely by the low age of most military members and the lack of emotional … Read More... “Military Divorce Rate Climbs – Are Multiple Deployments at Fault?”

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