Ohio Family Law Blog

Tips on Preventing Senior Financial Abuse. Don’t Let Your Family Get Ripped Off!

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Senior Communities Suffer $3.4 Billion In Loss Due to Fraud and Scams in 2020. What can be Done?

When older adults, especially those in long-term care facilities, become victims of a scam, it is known as elder financial abuse, and it is more common than you’d think.

In 2020, over 62,000 Suspicious Activity Reports filed with the federal government were regarding elder financial exploitation, amounting to $3.4 billion, according to the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The average reported loss by elder financial abuse victims is around $60,000.

So how does elder financial abuse happen?

“Unfortunately, there can be financial mistakes, fraud, or identity theft that occurs as a result of living in this kind of community. There are also instances of improper or inflated billing, double bill, and identity theft by ‘bad apples’ on staff,” said Elizabeth Loewy, the former founding chief of the Elder Abuse Unit in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, in an interview with Nextavenue.org.

The COVID-19 pandemic also led to a rise of scams targeting vulnerable adults, as do other “times of crisis”, according to … Read More... “Tips on Preventing Senior Financial Abuse. Don’t Let Your Family Get Ripped Off!”

New Year Resolutions for Those Going Through a Divorce

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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 … Read More... “New Year Resolutions for Those Going Through a Divorce”

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

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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 … 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!

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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 … Read More... “Ignoring Parenting Time Orders Can Result in a Change in Custody!”

Updated Guardian Ad Litem Rules in Ohio

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New Guardian Ad Litem Changes Coming to Ohio

Did you know the Supreme Court of Ohio Added New Amendments to Guardians ad Litem? New Changes, Requirements and Redefinitions Explained

As of January 1, 2021, the Supreme Court of Ohio added new amendments regarding Guardians ad Litem, or GALs, including a redefinition of the responsibilities for those appointed as GALs, new training requirements, as well as the penalties for unauthorized disclosure of GAL reports once they are complete.

It is important for attorneys in Ohio appointed as Guardians ad Litem to know and understand the changes made at the beginning of this year.

A Refresher

A “Guardian ad Litem” (GAL) is an individual who is appointed by the court to assist with determining the best interest of the child in domestic relations and juvenile cases. This person is usually an attorney (though in the state of Ohio this is not a requirement) who represents only the child and no other parties involved.

It is the job of the GAL to conduct a thorough investigation on behalf of the child they are representing. In a previous post … Read More... “Updated Guardian Ad Litem Rules in Ohio”

Dealing with the Holidays if You Are in Divorce Transition

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Going through a divoce transition? Tips for the holidays

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Donna F. Ferber, LPC, LADC is a psychotherapist in private practice for over 35 years in Farmington, Connecticut. She is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor and an educator. In her private practice, Donna specializes in issues related to life transitions. These include but are not limited to divorce, remarriage, chronic illness, loss, relocation. Donna has been a guest contributor to the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2010. We have enjoyed collaborating on several articles over the years.

Make The Holiday Season One That Is Meaningful

Every major life event, whether joyful or sad, brings on a period of transition as we adjust to the “new normal.” Even though these periods of transition occur throughout our lives, each requires us to discover a new and unique path as we struggle to move through uncharted waters. The death of a loved one, a divorce, a family estrangement, an illness, or sudden unemployment are some of the changes that shake us to our core. We are challenged in ways we could not imagine.… Read More... “Dealing with the Holidays if You Are in Divorce Transition”

Six Divorce Myths Busted!

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Divorce Myths: Don’t Fall For Inaccurate Information. Be Proactive, Consult With An Experienced Family Law Attorney

There are a ton of myths and misconceptions surrounding obtaining a divorce. Having practiced family law work for 40+ years, I thought I would try to provide some accurate information and perhaps shatter some of the falsehoods.

Myth #1: Mothers Always Get Custody

Many years ago, this may have been true. But that is not the case now. There is a national trend towards equalizing parenting time as much as possible between the parties. Facts really matter in determining custody! In Ohio, the core principle of determining custody/shared parenting comes down to determining the “best interests” of the children. A lot of fathers get custody and/or equal parenting time under a shared parenting plan.

Myth #2: Only Women Get Spousal Support (Alimony)

This was never really the case. Sure, in the past men were the predominant “bread winners”. Many women earn more money than their husband. There are many factors the Court considers when determining spousal support. The alimony statute in Ohio is gender blind. Gross income plays a … Read More... “Six Divorce Myths Busted!”

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