Ohio Family Law Blog

4th Of July Family Memories: The Red Ones Are the Best!!!

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I first posted a version of this blog way back in July of 2014. I always think about this one I wrote when I am planning a blog post for the Independence Day holiday. I have reposted it several times since, and I am doing so again but with a few new updates. I hope you also have some wonderful 4th of July family memories, or perhaps you will create an incredible one this year for you and your family! Enjoy it and please remember that “The Red Ones are the BEST!”

Family Law Attorney Chip Mues Recalls A Remarkable 4th of July Family Vacation Set In Maine

It seemed appropriate that I should write something for the family law blog geared towards the “Birthday of America “. In the past, I liked to reflect upon the holidays and tried to find some correlation between the specific holiday and my family law practice. Not always an easy task without becoming repetitive in discussing how to celebrate the day in the aftermath of a traumatic divorce. So, as I pondered possible themes, I considered offering a … Read More... “4th Of July Family Memories: The Red Ones Are the Best!!!”

Steps to Take to Financially Prepare for a Divorce

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It goes without saying, divorce is an extremely difficult and emotional journey. It can be overwhelming and it will most likely affect and change many aspects of life including finances. Financial preparation for divorce is crucial in order to move forward in your divorce. Separating finances with two spouses can be messy. In order to do so, each partner needs to prepare in order to ensure security and stability both during the divorce proceedings and after the divorce is finalized.

There are certainly things both parties can do to financially prepare for divorce. Here are some tips for those going through this sticky situation.

Gathering Financial Documents

One of the first steps to do is to gather all financial documents, including tax returns, all accounts including savings, checking and investment accounts, pay stubs, property records (home, land, vehicles) credit card statements, debts, and any retirement account statements such as 4014K plans, IRA’s, or pensions.

This is important for each party to fully understand what they own as individual accounts as well as accounts held together. This is most definitely a daunting and time-consuming task; however it is … Read More... “Steps to Take to Financially Prepare for a Divorce”

On the Fence About Divorcing or Staying Married? Discernment Counseling Might be Your Answer

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Discernment counseling for couples considering divorce provides clarity and guidance on whether to end the marriage or work on reconciliation.

Understanding Discernment Counseling for Couples Considering Divorce

When a couple is having marital problems, counseling is often one of the first steps they take. However, if you are one of those couples with a “mixed agenda”, meaning one partner is leaning towards wanting a divorce while the other is wishing to stay married, then discernment counseling might be a route to try. For those not familiar with it, discernment counseling is a type of couples therapy for those who need guidance to see whether or not to terminate the marriage.

It is designed to help a couple examine their options and help them to figure out the best path to continue, whether it be it separation, reconciliation, or a divorce. It helps a couple to develop both clarity and perspective about whether divorce is right before actually going down that road.

Dr. William Doherty, a professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, pioneered the discernment counseling model in 2008. He worked closely with a … Read More... “On the Fence About Divorcing or Staying Married? Discernment Counseling Might be Your Answer”

Blast From The Past: Child Visitation Exchanges – Tips to Avoid Problems!

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PUBLISHERS UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites posts about child visitation exchanges, from back on June 13th, 2020! 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!

Visitation Exchanges. Do this to Avoid Friction with your Ex!

Visitation exchanges and custody exchanges can be uncomfortable and sometimes downright combative depending upon the relationship between the parents. They can also be stressful to your child as well. The overall objective needs to be to keep things civil and reduce friction all the way around.

Here are some common-sense tips of what to do, or not do in visitation exchanges:

Coordinate Drop Off/Pick Up Location: In high conflict cases, the less you have to interact with your Ex the better. One common approach is agreeing upon making the switch at school, a daycare center, babysitters or friend’s house. Other options are at a public place such as a park or restaurant. In extreme situations, some folks will make the exchange

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

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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

Reflecting 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 … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: New Proposed Ohio Law Would Allow Military Families to Choose Schools for Their Children”

The Ohio Supreme Court Clarifies What a Divorce Court Must Find for a Party to be Found to Be Voluntarily Unemployed for Support Purposes

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Practical Advice for Parents Post-Ohio Supreme Court Ayers v Ayers Child Support Decision

What Legal Professionals Need to Know About the Ohio Supreme Court Ayers v. Ayers Child Support Decision

On May 15, 2024, the Ohio Supreme Court Ayers v. Ayers child support decision reversed the judgment of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and remanded the issue to the trial court. The issue on appeal in the Ohio Supreme Court Ayers v. Ayers child support decision was whether the Court must infer that the domestic-relations court made a proper determination of a parent’s voluntary unemployment when it was silent in its decision on that issue, but nonetheless imputed potential income to a parent for the computation of child support.

It is rare that the Supreme Court of Ohio decides cases pertaining to matters of divorce and child support, making the importance of this decision noteworthy in the realm of Ohio Family Law.

Prior Requirements of Ohio Appellate Districts:

There are 12 appellate districts in Ohio. These districts have historically varied as to whether they require domestic relations courts to expressly include a finding of voluntary unemployment … Read More... “The Ohio Supreme Court Clarifies What a Divorce Court Must Find for a Party to be Found to Be Voluntarily Unemployed for Support Purposes”

Is it Time to Divorce my Divorce Lawyer?

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Steps to Take When Facing Divorce Lawyer Problems

How Divorce Lawyer Problems Can Impact Your Case Outcome

No one wants to be in a position to get divorced. Marriage is meant for life, right? Unfortunately, that is not always the case. So, for whatever the reason, you determine that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. You start the lawyer selection process. You listen to friends, interview several divorce lawyers, exercise due diligence and finally make your decision. You then formally hire your divorce lawyer.

Now, in the midst of your divorce action, you are becoming concerned that perhaps you did not hire the “right” divorce lawyer. What should you do next? Let”s first discuss some “problems” which you might be encountering causing you to consider firing your lawyer.

COMMUNICATION ISSUES?

Historically, some lawyers are just bad at returning phone calls and communicating well with their clients. It is certainly reasonable to expect good communications with your divorce lawyer! Some lawyers are overloaded with clients or don”t have adequate support staff to help answer client questions and updating them on the status of their case. Others, frankly just … Read More... “Is it Time to Divorce my Divorce Lawyer?”

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