- DivorceWe are dedicated to helping people with the legal issues in the termination of their intimate relationships. We know you’re concerned about dividing your property, paying your debts, supporting two household, and separately parenting and supporting your children. This website will educate you on these issues. Our staff will guide you through them. Terminating a relationship is an ending, but also a beginning. Our motto is “We help people rebuild their lives.” We work as a team, with you, to do this.
- Child SupportWhen a mother is not married, Ohio law gives her legal custody of the child. To obtain parenting rights, the father must file for paternity to establish himself as the father. Then, the father can seek custody, shared parenting, and/or parenting time. Filing for paternity also requires addressing the issue of child support.
- Child Custody and VisitationIf you read the other reports on this site, you’ll find that the law is quite clear on equal property division in divorce of all assets acquired during marriage, with a few exceptions. Even fault on the part of one spouse will not result in the other being awarded everything. See Division of Marital Property in Ohio. As for children, the court favors the involvement of both parents. If one parent thwarts the relationship of the other parent and the children, that action will be used against the offending parent. See How Child Custody is Determined in Ohio.
- AdoptionNo. Same-sex partners who are not married can enter into a joint custody agreement allowing both to have custody of a child, but the non-biological partner is not recognized as a parent. If you marry after the child is born, the non-biological partner can become a parent through a step-parent adoption proceeding.
- Premarital AgreementTo protect inheritance of children from a prior marriage or ongoing financial interests. Under Ohio law, premarital property, inheritance, and gifts to one party are protected as separate property in divorce. However, the laws of inheritance allow spouses to receive substantial assets when a spouse dies, even if a will says otherwise. Also, if a spouse works in a business they own during the marriage, the spouse is entitled to half the marital value of the business if there is no premarital agreement preventing that.
- Spousal SupportNo. While you can put provisions in place to provide for your partner if you die, you are not treated the same as married people under the law. For example, if you separate, you are not entitled to an interest in property that is not in your name or spousal support.
- Legal Separation
- AnnulmentProbably not. An annulment requires that either the marriage was not consummated or that it was entered into by fraud of the other party. Many people are interested in an annulment for religious reasons. Obtaining a religious annulment is not affected by not obtaining a legal annulment.
- Estate PlanningReady to learn about Child Support, Child Custody, Property Division, Spousal Support, Domestic Violence Prenuptial Agreements and Estate Planning? Click on the links below for access.
- Wills
- Trusts
- Power of AttorneyAdvanced directives include a living will, medical durable power of attorney and financial durable power of attorney. The first two are for medical situations. The living will allows you to state in advance your wishes with regard to keeping you alive, if you cannot then communicate that wish. The medical power of attorney allows you to give someone else the power to make medical decisions for you if you cannot. The financial power of attorney allows you to have another person handle your affairs if you are unable to. Many single and divorced individuals find one or more of these documents essential.
- Tax LawFamily law cases do not just deal with legal issues. They often involve psychological issues for the parents and children, insurance issues, investment issues, tax issues, and other matters related to a change in family status. While family law attorneys are generally not trained in these fields, they should recognize the issues and direct you to experts who can assist with these matters. Does the attorney have contacts in these fields? Will the attorney make an effort to advise you of these issues in your case?