I’ve Been Served with a Divorce, Do I Really Need to Talk With A Lawyer?

experienced divorce lawyer

Schedule An Appointment With An Experienced Divorce Lawyer

Avoid “Getting The Shaft”, Talk To An Experienced Divorce Lawyer!

experienced divorce lawyer ohio

Like most veteran divorce lawyers, I have seen lots of situations where a party ignores a summons and complaint for divorce, to his/her peril. The excuses I frequently hear are:

  1. I’m too busy;
  2. We have only been married for just a short time;
  3. My spouse will treat me fairly;
  4. I don’t need to spend money for a lawyer
  5. I am too depressed to deal with it, and if I ignore it, I can fight it later if necessary; or
  6. My spouse will get everything anyway since I have been a lousy spouse.

Truthfully, all of these “excuses” are poor ones. Scheduling an appointment with an experienced divorce lawyer is not an expensive pro-active investment. Some lawyers even offer a free initial conference.

What will happen if you simply ignore the divorce filing?

  1. The case will be set for a non-contested default hearing;
  2. Your spouse (and his/her divorce lawyer) will submit a Final Decree of Divorce for the Court’s approval;
  3. There will be little inquiry by the Judge if the facts are correct or the orders are fair or equitable;
  4. No
Read More... “I’ve Been Served with a Divorce, Do I Really Need to Talk With A Lawyer?”

Three Costly Mistakes to Avoid in Your Divorce!

divorce lawyer avoid mistakes

Listening To Advice From Friends And Relatives Not Always Wise In Divorce. Choose The Right Divorce Lawyer For Your Case!

divorce lawyer mistakes

No one expected that they would later be involved in a divorce when they married. But unfortunately, not all marriages are “forever”.  Clients facing a divorce generally want it to be fair, drama free, inexpensive and quick.

As a Dayton, Ohio, family law lawyer for 40 years, I have lots of experience helping people in all kinds of divorce situations from relatively simple cases to complex high conflict cases. Here are some tips based on the experience that I have gained.

What are the 3 Top Costly Mistakes to Avoid in a Divorce?

  1. Choosing the right attorney
  2. Ignoring the divorce complaint
  3. Listening to advice from friends and relatives

Choosing the Right Attorney

Divorce law is an extremely complicated practice area. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to find an experienced divorce lawyer that you have interviewed and to whom you can relate. Interview several. Take the time to get recommendations from family and friends who have gone through a divorce in your area.  Read online reviews. Not all attorneys are the same. Avoid at all costs the “generalist” … Read More... “Three Costly Mistakes to Avoid in Your Divorce!”

Tips on Dealing with Your Divorce Lawyer [And Why it Matters]

divorce attorney outcome best

How To Get The Best Outcome From Your Divorce Lawyer

divorce lawyer best outcome

So, you have selected your divorce lawyer. Here are some tips for how to deal with him/her to hopefully achieve the best outcome possible.

  1. Be Candid and Honest – Don’t ever leave your divorce lawyer in the dark. Try to be completely open about all the relevant facts whether they are good or bad. Disclose all assets and debts. Don’t try to hide assets. Honestly complete the required Financial Disclosure Affidavit. [Here is a link to an article about the importance of properly completing your financial affidavit.] If in doubt about anything bring it up to your lawyer! Remember that all conversations with your lawyer are confidential.
  2. Actively Participate with your Divorce Lawyer – Fully cooperate with your divorce attorney and the paralegal(s). Become part of your team. Help him/her by providing requested documents and information as timely as possible. Your fees will rise if the lawyer has to repeatedly remind you to provide information. Don’t wait to the last minute either. You want your lawyer to have plenty of time to review it all and discuss with you any questions. Remember that how you communicate with your lawyer
Read More... “Tips on Dealing with Your Divorce Lawyer [And Why it Matters]”

Blast From The Past: Divorce Lawyer: Should I Hire a Male or Female?

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorite divorce lawyer posts from back on January 5, 2013! 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!

How Gender Of Your Attorney Will Have Very Little Impact On The Final Outcome Of Your Divorce

divorce lawyerThere are many factors to consider when selecting your divorce or custody lawyer.  One of the common concerns is whether or not a divorce litigant will be better off having a male or female divorce lawyer representing him or her.

Some people think that if they want an “aggressive” divorce lawyer, they need a male; but if they want someone who is “compassionate,” they should hire a female divorce lawyer.  Should the lawyer be a feisty “take no prisoners” divorce lawyer or does it make sense to have a “nice person” approach in the courtroom?  I’ve heard some men say that they would prefer to have a woman represent them because an aggressive female attorney can soften the harshness of husband’s arguments against his wife.  For example, a male … Read More... “Blast From The Past: Divorce Lawyer: Should I Hire a Male or Female?”

Served with Divorce Papers in Ohio? Tips From Experienced Dayton Divorce Lawyer

divorce lawyer restraining orders

divorce lawyer restraining ordersList of What To Do When Served With Divorce Papers According to Experienced Dayton Divorce Lawyer Robert L Mues

You go answer the door and there’s a big guy on the other side. You slowly open it. He puts his foot in the door and asks your name. Before you open your mouth he hands you an envelope containing a fat stack of papers. He announces “You’ve been served!” which is often followed by “Have a nice day!”  BAM! Whether expected or not, this is the “kick off” of your divorce case.

Your reaction will no doubt vary depending on your feelings about your marital situation and your level of happiness. Some individuals will be blindsided, hurt and even physically sick. Others may actually be relieved and welcome a fresh new start. No matter where you fall in this spectrum, here are some tips of what to do and not do.

THINGS TO DO…

  1. Read the documents
  2. As difficult as this may be, try to read through them. On the SUMMONS (which should be the first page), note the deadline to file your Answer. In Ohio, it is 28 days from the date you were served. Count those days on
Read More... “Served with Divorce Papers in Ohio? Tips From Experienced Dayton Divorce Lawyer”

Blast From The Past: Tips on How to Select a Divorce Lawyer!

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: This is a blast FROM WAY BACK in time! It is a merger and update from a two part series on selecting a divorce lawyer, which we posted on December 20, 2007 and January 2, 2008! The information 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!

Key Considerations When Selecting The Right Divorce Or Family Law Lawyer

divorce lawyer family lawSelecting the right attorney for a divorce is an extremely important and personal decision. Take the time to properly pick your attorney. The outcome of your family law case will impact your future dramatically!

The following are some key considerations in selecting the “right” divorce lawyer:

Experience

Most attorneys these days have narrowed their practice to one or a few areas of the law. Divorce law is a very specialized field. It is important to find a lawyer that concentrates his or her practice in the particular area of law that you need – whether it’s divorce, child custody, domestic violence or another family law category. An experienced divorce lawyer will understand … Read More... “Blast From The Past: Tips on How to Select a Divorce Lawyer!”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month – How Can You Help?

sad lady beside a lighted decorative star

10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation About Domestic Violence

Domestic ViolenceOctober is domestic violence awareness month. Unfortunately, at one time or another we have all come across situations of domestic violence. As a divorce lawyer, I see examples of its tragic effects all the time. In Dayton we are very fortunate to have the Artemis House resource to assist victims of domestic violence!

In order to help spread awareness about this terrible situation, I have posted below the “10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation About Domestic Violence” published by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) https://nnedv.org/.  Also, at the end of this article, I have share links to some of the prior articles we have published on this topic on the Ohio Family Law Blog in the past. Let’s all do our part to help eradicate domestic violence throughout society!

  1. NEVER victim blame.Abuse is never the victim’s fault. As a society, we continue to place blame on victims by asking, “What did she do to deserve that?” or “What was she wearing?” or “Why was she there?” or “Why couldn’t she just keep her knees together?” Yet we do not ask these questions to
Read More... “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month – How Can You Help?”
Page 2 of 2
1 2