Ohio Family Law Blog

LEGAL ALERT: New Ohio Child Welfare Reforms

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Death of 10-year-old Takoda Collins Spurs Reform Of Existing Ohio Child Welfare Laws

Ohio Governor DeWine Signs Ohio House 4 Bill Into Law; New Law Intends to Protect Abused Children From Gaps In The Child Services System

New legislation aimed to reform existing child welfare laws in the state of Ohio was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine at the end of February. These reforms intend to protect abused children from gaps that existed in the system that was designed to help them; gaps like the ones in Takoda Collins’s case.

“Takoda’s case is one that fell through the cracks and in Ohio we don’t want a tragedy like this to ever happen again,” said state Rep. Phil Plummer R-Butler Twp. to Dayton Daily News.

Takoda Collins was a 10-year old boy from Dayton, OH who died in 2019 after suffering extreme abuse from his father for years. His father, Al-Mutahan McLean, contacted authorities in December of 2019 when his son was unresponsive, and Takoda Collins later died at Dayton’s Children Hospital. An investigation into his death had revealed a long history of torture by his … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: New Ohio Child Welfare Reforms”

How To Survive A Bad Marriage Without Divorce

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Tips to Help Deal with the Emotional Disconnect of a Bad Marriage

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I always try to thoroughly explore options with clients considering a divorce, such as marital counseling, trial seperations, mediation etc. Divorce should NEVER be entered into lightly! I think Dr. Karen Finn article below is an excellent one! She clearly lays out tips to deal with an emotional disconnect.

Will a Mini Separation Help a Bad Marriage and Prevent Divorce?

Pre-marriage 101 may give you a hefty toolkit for building a healthy marriage from the outset. Do everything correctly, and you won’t be wondering how to survive a bad marriage. Without divorce as an option, however, every couple needs to learn skills for sticking it out when the relationship loses its luster.

There are times and circumstances that warrant the end of a marriage. No one should resolve to tough things out when there is abuse, for example – whether physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual. Safety is a non-negotiable.

(*If you or someone in your home is a victim of domestic abuse, please do not wait to get help. Call the National … Read More... “How To Survive A Bad Marriage Without Divorce”

Tips to Maintain Good Communications with Your Spouse During a Divorce

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Divorce with your spouse not going well? Good communication plays important role for a happier outcome

It would seem to go without saying, that good communication between a couple is an essential part of a good marriage. However, did you know that good communication between the two spouses is just as important when navigating the often turbulent waters during a divorce? As a married couple you may have had good communication, or perhaps your lack of communication was one of the reasons for the divorce.

No matter what has happened in the past it is important to be able to communicate with your soon to be ex. You may be experiencing sadness, anger, stress, frustration, among other emotions, but by establishing an effective means of communication is an important part to help the process move on more smoothly.

You might be tempted to minimize contact with your ex, however this is not the way to go. If children are involved you will have to communicate with your spouse for many years to come. However, if you were married to an abusive person or if … Read More... “Tips to Maintain Good Communications with Your Spouse During a Divorce”

Effects of Divorce on Children – Some Interesting Statistics

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Financial Statistics Reveal Compelling Divorce Data

The Financial and Emotional Impact for Kids of Divorce – What do the Statistics Really Say?

I have always found statistics and research studies quite interesting. I like to look at them to see how they compare to my own perceptions and life experiences.

As a divorce lawyer for 40 plus years, and publisher of the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2009, keeping on top of divorce trends is something I enjoy doing. In searching the internet recently, I came across the website www.financesonline.com. I found this website to have an amazingly broad aggregation of divorce related information and statistics (including footnotes to their sources). I spent a fair amount of time reading it and thought sharing the link might be worthwhile to our blog readers. Here is a sample section. Perhaps it will pique your interest!

EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON CHILDREN:

Divorced spouses evade over 30% of child support payments, with less than 50% paid in full. (Leefeldt, 2019)
Moreover, only 43.5% of custodial parents receive full support from their former spouses. (Leefeldt, 2019)
In addition, more than $10

Estate Planning Reminder During American Heart Month

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How Important Can Estate Planning Documents Be For Your Loved Ones? Don’t Let The Courts Decide Who Will Get Your Assets!

February is often most associated with love, hearts, and Valentine’s Day – it’s lesser known for being American Heart Month – and it’s the perfect time to revisit the importance of estate planning when it comes to preparing your loved ones for the inevitable.

Do you already have estate planning documents? If you do, but it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed or updated them, it may be a good time to visit an attorney to help make sure everything is in order. If you’re new to estate planning , here are the important basic documents you should have prepared to ensure that your wishes are set forth in writing and upheld:

Last Will and Testament

The COVID-19 pandemic generated some of the more recent interest in estate planning, but according to a 2021 Gallup poll, less than 46% of adults in the U.S. have a will, and a majority of those Americans that do are 65 years of age or older. A Last Will … Read More... “Estate Planning Reminder During American Heart Month”

Blast From The Past: Coping with Difficult Behavior

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How to Cope with Difficult Behavior and Difficult People in a Divorce

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog from guest contributor, Donna F. Ferber, LPC, LADC, is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on May 1, 2010! 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!

Throughout life, we sometimes encounter difficult people. We may argue with them, fall silent, comply or take distance. In a divorce, particularly an acrimonious one, difficult behaviors abound. No one is on their best behavior under this amount of stress. Figuring out how to cope with difficult behavior is a bit easier once you can identify why a person behaves in a certain way and what he/she hopes to accomplish.

Here is a list of the most common behaviors that frustrate us all and suggestions for dealing with them:

The Bully – uses temper tantrums to overwhelm you; makes insulting and cutting remarks. Needs to feel superior and not lose control of the situation. Wants to get his/her … Read More... “Blast From The Past: Coping with Difficult Behavior”

Don’ts if You are Considering a Divorce

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Contemplating a Divorce? 5 things NOT to do!

Here are 5 things NOT to do if you are contemplating a divorce:

Number 1: Don’t Tell Everyone the News…

As much as you might want to discuss the news that you and your spouse may be headed for a divorce, bite your tongue. Do your best to try to stay calm, and not talk about it with all your friends and family. I can’t tell you how many folks I see to discuss a “possible” divorce that manage to resolve the impending crisis and remain married. By sharing the “dirt” at the thought of divorcing, you may end up poisoning your spouse’s relationship with others and damage your relationship if things are patched up.

Number 2: Don’t Retaliate…

Emotions can run very high when a person learns that a divorce may be in the near future. Do your best to curb those emotions! If you can’t sleep and the anxiety is overwhelming, be sure to go see your family doctor. I had one client who believed her husband was having an affair at work, so she … Read More... “Don’ts if You are Considering a Divorce”

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