When a couple decides to end their marriage, it can be a difficult time for families. When there are minor children, the parents must make many decisions regarding child custody and visitation arrangements. Often, a child will reside primarily with one parent and have scheduled visitation with the other. Although a child may reside with one parent, both parents may still be responsible for making important decisions on their behalf.

Should I stay or should I go?  This is a question that is often asked.  Living arrangements during negotiations or the pendency of a divorce can be a tricky issue.  Whether you leave, your spouse leaves, or you both remain in the marital home during the divorce process depends on many factors.

Spousal support is an award of money or in-kind payments my by one spouse to or for the benefit of the other spouse. There are two types of spousal support, temporary and permanent. Temporary spousal support is an award that is in effect during the resolution of your case. Permanent spousal support is an award that becomes effective at the end of your case for a specified duration. This blog will focus on temporary spousal support.

Relationships change and the feelings present at the beginning of a marriage might not be the same years or decades into the relationship. For some couples, though, divorce is not an option. Despite no longer having a desire to live under the same roof, filing for divorce is not the next logical step for these couples. In these cases, legal separation could provide relief from an unhappy relationship while still keeping the marriage legally intact.

If you are in the midst of a divorce or issues concerning the custody of your child have arisen, it is important to speak to an attorney to ensure that your rights as a parent are protected. In addition to issues specific to your circumstances, the following questions can help you gain a clearer understanding of what you should do and how an attorney can help you:

What is a Prenup?
Planning a wedding and preparing for marriage is one of the most exciting times of your life. Unfortunately, the legal ramifications of marriage often creep into the picture when the future spouse presents a premarital greement (known elsewhere as a prenuptial agreement). Though these requests are less-than-romantic, it shouldn’t spoil anything about your upcoming marriage. Premarital agreements can be a smart choice for you and your soon-to-be-spouse as you begin your new life together.

When people learn that I am a divorce lawyer, I am often asked to tell stories about the most horrible cases in which I have been involved. While I appreciate the interest, I kindly explain that I am unable to discuss my cases. However, their requests are valid as divorce cases are often messy and difficult. One of the biggest reasons for the conflict and mess was the lack of a structured alternative that was supported by the law. Fortunately, that all changed in 2013 when Ohio’s Collaborative Family Law Act came into effect. Under the Act, Ohioans have the option of resolving the issues involved in a divorce through a process called Collaborative Law.

Ohio does not recognize the right of a child to choose which parent should receive custody. However, under certain circumstance, Ohio law requires that, when making a custody determination, a Court consider the wishes and concerns of a child regarding the child’s care. The Court is not bound by the child’s wishes, regardless of that child’s age. Instead, the court considers the child’s wishes and concerns as well as additional factors including: