As you contemplate the divorce process, you may be hearing that it can take a significant length of time to complete. You also may be wanting to consider short-term needs while your divorce is in progress. The establishment of temporary orders in Ohio divorce provides guidance while the court case is pending until a final decision is made or decree is issued. This type of court order deals with such matters as use of the marital residence, child custody and support, etc. They may ultimately be different from the final orders of the court. Temporary orders are to be followed from the time they ..read more

A civil protection order, or a threat thereof, coinciding with the end of your marriage can severely alter the dynamic of your divorce. The goal of a civil protection order, when granted, is to keep the respondent away from the person who petitioned for the order. This article explains the relationship between civil protection orders and divorce in Ohio. Also commonly referred to as a “restraining order,” this ruling can result in the respondent’s temporary or indefinite loss of access to the marital home, vehicles, or even custody of their child. In other scenarios, a civil protection order m ..read more

All parents and presumed parents should have a solid understanding of their parental rights in Ohio. When a child is born to married parents in Ohio, both parents have parenting rights to the child. This is referred to as marital presumption. However, when the child is born to unmarried parents, the non-birth parent does not have parental rights to the child unless legal steps are taken to establish parentage. While this is traditionally used to guide different-sex parents, same-sex parents are relying on the same system to determine their rights. The 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges requir ..read more

Co-parenting is difficult in general — for the parents and the children. But co-parenting during the holidays can be nothing short of all-consuming.  But don’t lose your holiday spirit just yet. The eight tips we’ve highlighted below aim to help you navigate what should be a happy time and maintain your perspective in the process. Tips for Holiday Co-Parenting While life in a split family might be, at best, nuanced, and, at worst, total chaos, kids are counting on their parents to provide happy holidays and wonderful memories.  Using the tips below for co-parenting during the holiday ..read more

One of the biggest uncertainties in a divorce pertains to financial wellbeing, including understanding spousal support. Spousal support is a court-ordered financial obligation that becomes an undeniable point of conflict between a splitting couple.  Also referred to as alimony, this ruling is intended to maintain an equitable split of the parties’ incomes. The court has the freedom to determine its duration, scope, and amount based upon factors outlined in Ohio statutes.  Although Ohio’s legal code is challenging to navigate alone, an understanding of what it is and how it works is a ..read more

Like any asset purchased during a marriage, crypto is subject to equitable division. In a lot of cases with high assets, division is complicated. Now factor in the ambiguity of crypto, as we try to explain it in this guide to crypto and divorce in Ohio. Crypto exists in cyberspace, kept in digital wallets which are unlocked by private digital keys. They fluctuate so frequently that nailing down a value at a specific point in time is challenging. In fact, it is often difficult to know that initial investments have actually occurred. In some cases, millions of dollars have been hidden in cryptoc ..read more

If you are beginning your divorce process, you may want to consider hiring a divorce attorney. Once you make the decision to work with an attorney, you will want to consider what to look for to know if they are a good fit for you and the demands of your case. Can I represent myself in my divorce? Technically, yes. Representing yourself in your own case is called being pro se, which literally translates to “for oneself”. It is tempting to handle your divorce on your own to save some money, and the forms are readily available through most counties’ websites. One important thing to remember, how ..read more

Unfortunately, there is not a rule book for marriage, and one on what common mistakes to avoid during your divorce does not exist either. Through our experience in domestic relations court, we have learned what makes the path a little smoother and what can be disruptive, damning, or cost you more in legal fees. Having a competent family law attorney can be key in helping you understand the divorce process and call out common mistakes to avoid during divorce such as what is highlighted below. Failing to keep all documents neat and organized when sharing them with your attorney and their staff ..read more

While many of us consider our pets to be our non-human, furry or feathery children, there are some points to understand in Ohio regarding who gets to keep the family pets in a divorce. Like it or not, pets are considered to be personal property and who gets them is not determined in the same way as a child, nor is a custodial arrangement made in the same way as a child. The court will treat the animal(s) in the same manner as other personal property that is subject to division. Straightforward ways of determining who keeps the pet The pet was purchased by one party prior to the date of ..read more

Child and Spousal Support are often misunderstood and contentious issues between opposing parties, whether they are parents separating or a couple who is divorcing. There are a number of factors impacting child and spousal support. The best way to know for sure what you are responsible for or entitled to is to create a strategy using an experienced Ohio family law attorney. Child Support Child support in Ohio serves the purpose of providing for the health, wellbeing, and physical needs of children whose parents are not together. While many may think of child support as being a result of divorc ..read more