Ohio Family Law Blog

An Explanation of Ohio’s House Bill 636 – Expanding Marriage Rights in Ohio

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Understanding the Impact of Ohio House Bill 636 Expanding Marriage Rights on Ohio Residents

Ohio has made significant strides in recent years toward inclusivity and equality, but the journey is far from over according to the sponsors of Ohio House Bill 636 expanding marriage rights, introduced in the Ohio legislature, aims to amend and enact various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to align state laws with federal mandates regarding same-sex and interracial marriages. It is aimed at modernizing Ohio’s legal framework and ensuring that all residents have the right to marry, regardless of race or sexual orientation.

The Goals of Ohio House Bill 636 Expanding Marriage Rights:

At its core, House Bill 636 seeks to eliminate outdated and discriminatory language from Ohio’s Revised Code. One of the most striking amendments is the removal of terms that define marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman. Instead, the proposed legislation introduces more inclusive language that recognizes same-sex marriages. By doing this, the bill not only aligns Ohio with federal law and the legalization of same-sex marriage following the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges case… Read More... “An Explanation of Ohio’s House Bill 636 – Expanding Marriage Rights in Ohio”

Blast From The Past: If I Make More Money Than My Spouse, Are Things Still Split 50/50 in a Divorce?

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on March 3, 2023. 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!

Divorce Likely? The Dangers If You Do Not Have a Prenuptial Agreement or a Postnuptial agreement in Place

As a longtime Ohio divorce lawyer, reading the recent comments made by country music singer Kelsea Ballerini about her divorce from Morgan Evans caught my attention. Kelsea complained on a recent podcast that Morgan “took half the house he didn’t pay for” and other things as well. She was upset that Evans (also a country singer) wrote a song and was profiting about him being “blindsided” by their break-up. Click here to listen to his song about it titled “Over for You”. Kelsea’s comments got me thinking and I thought I would write this blog about property division and spousal support in Ohio.

IF I EARN MORE, I SHOULD GET MORE!

I remember back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, men … Read More... “Blast From The Past: If I Make More Money Than My Spouse, Are Things Still Split 50/50 in a Divorce?”

Learn From Her Mistakes: It’s Too Late for J Lo to Create a Prenuptial Agreement, But it May Not be Too Late for You!

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Understanding the Importance of Prenuptial Agreements for Financial Security

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (more affectionately known as “Bennifer”) have made headlines again, this time for filing for divorce after just two years of marriage. Despite their high-profile lives and busy careers, this was a couple that the world wanted to succeed since the early 2000s. However, this split should serve as a reminder of the importance of prenuptial agreements – especially when it comes to marriage and our finances.

The pair reportedly did not have a prenuptial agreement in place, which means that under California law, any assets that they have acquired during their marriage will be split between them, including their $68,000,000 mansion, and any income earned during the past two years. As of this year, Lopez’s net worth was estimated to be $400 million, substantial compared to Affleck’s $150 million. Although J Lo’s divorce petition listed the couple’s assets as “unknown,” it is clear that this will be a huge amount to be addressed by the courts.

However, this uncertainty could have been avoided if the pair had recognized the importance of prenuptial agreements … Read More... “Learn From Her Mistakes: It’s Too Late for J Lo to Create a Prenuptial Agreement, But it May Not be Too Late for You!”

Blast From The Past: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

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Why Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Resources Are Crucial

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month resources — 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

What is a Separation Agreement? Why is it Important in an Ohio Dissolution?

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Why an Ohio Separation Agreement for Dissolution is Crucial in Ending a Marriage

For many, ending a marriage is a time filled with uncertainty. Nearly all aspects of a family’s life will change, including their finances, child care and custody, and living situations. In Ohio, other than by an annulment, there are two ways to terminate marriages: by dissolution and by divorce. Divorces frequently require a significant amount of judicial intervention, which may not be preferable for spouses who are able to agree to terms of their separation without the need for a third party to make decisions for them. Dissolution is a more amicable alternative to divorce in which spouses both agree to ALL of the terms of their Ohio separation agreement for dissolution, terminating the marriage.

Dissolution is a process which allows the spouses to maintain a substantial amount of control over their situation. However, prior to obtaining a dissolution in Ohio, spouses must prepare and execute an Ohio separation agreement for dissolution, in which they set forth mutually agreed-upon terms regarding the ending of their marriage. This is essentially a legally binding agreement, in … Read More... “What is a Separation Agreement? Why is it Important in an Ohio Dissolution?”

Dayton’s Mediation Response Unit Continues to Expand its Services to Assist in Reducing Conflicts. Might They be of Help in a Situation You are Experiencing?

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The Impact and Expansion of the Dayton Mediation Response Unit

I want to share an update about a unique City of Dayton program Launched in May 2022. The Dayton Mediation Response Unit (MRU) is a first-of-its-kind program in the United States that sends two-person teams of mediation specialists instead of police officers to certain kinds of calls for service.

The Dayton Mediation Response Unit helps people who are struggling to communicate in productive ways and who need help figuring out potential ways to address their concerns. These unarmed mediation specialists, well trained in addressing conflict, make up the service teams. When they arrive on scene, they separate the parties and listen to understand the situation. The mediation program uses a “transformative” approach meant to help people in conflict address conflict together and on their own.

Dayton Mediation Response Unit Supervision of Parent Visitation Exchanges

Click here to a link to the article I posted here on May 5, 2023. The focus of that blog dealt with Dayton Mediation Response Unit members supervising parent visitation exchanges.

Parents can call the MRU directly at 937-333-2333 and request child exchanges … Read More... “Dayton’s Mediation Response Unit Continues to Expand its Services to Assist in Reducing Conflicts. Might They be of Help in a Situation You are Experiencing?”

Are There Advantages in Ohio to Filing First for a Divorce?

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Why should I file first in a Divorce Complaint? Here are the key advantages of filing first for divorce in Ohio.

PUBLISHERS UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites posts from back on December 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!

Several Strategic Reasons Why Filing of the Divorce Complaint First in Ohio Makes Prudent Sense

Unfortunately, you have concluded that your marriage needs to come to an end. Now it is time to put on your “business hat” and plan how to accomplish that result. When feasible, a dissolution proceeding is the best vehicle to accomplish the termination of an Ohio marriage. However that approach takes a full agreement in advance of filing by both parties on ALL issues and obviously cooperation. Let’s discuss how to proceed if that isn’t in the cards.

Advantages of Filing First for Divorce in Ohio: Divorce Complaint Filings:

There are some reasons to consider being the first … Read More... “Are There Advantages in Ohio to Filing First for a Divorce?”

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