Ohio Family Law Blog

Domestic Violence in the Digital Age: Understanding Technology-Facilitated Abuse

By Robert "Chip" Mues | October 10th, 2026

What to Do If You Suspect Technology-Facilitated Abuse

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a time to recognize the devastating impact domestic violence has on individuals and families – and to remind survivors that help is available. But domestic violence does not always happen behind a closed door.

Increasingly, technology has become another tool used to intimidate, monitor, threaten, isolate, and control a partner. This behavior, known as technology-facilitated abuse, can involve phones, social media, GPS trackers, and connected devices. It is an emerging concern in domestic violence and deserves much more attention.

The Numbers Are Difficult to Ignore:

Domestic violence remains an enormous problem in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, more than 1 in 3 women (34%) – nearly 43.5 million women – have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.… View Full Article → “Domestic Violence in the Digital Age: Understanding Technology-Facilitated Abuse”

Financial Misconduct in Ohio Divorce: If You Suspect Something, Say Something!

By Robert "Chip" Mues | October 3rd, 2026

Understanding Financial Misconduct in an Ohio Divorce

Divorce is both an emotional and financial separation. Unfortunately, some spouses try to gain an unfair advantage through financial misconduct in an Ohio divorce, such as hiding assets, wasting marital property, or taking on secret debt before or during the divorce process.

Ohio law recognizes these actions as financial misconduct and allows courts to compensate the innocent spouse when misconduct is proven. The key is identifying the problem early. If something doesn’t seem right, tell your attorney.

What Is Financial Misconduct in an Ohio Divorce?

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.171, financial misconduct occurs when a spouse knowingly dissipates, conceals, destroys, or fails to disclose marital assets. If proven, an Ohio court may award a larger share of the marital estate to the innocent spouse.

Common Examples

Financial misconduct in an Ohio divorce can take many forms, depending on the circumstances and the assets involved:

Hiding bank accounts, investments, or income
Transferring assets to friends or relatives
Gambling or excessive spending before divorce (this topic is covered more in depth here)
Using marital funds to support an extramarital affair
Concealing business income or manipulating financial records
Accumulating significant debt for non-marital purposes

These actions can significantly impact a fair property division.… View Full Article → “Financial Misconduct in Ohio Divorce: If You Suspect Something, Say Something!”

Tracking Your Spouse During an Ohio Divorce: What Ohio’s New Tracking Law Means for Families!

By Robert "Chip" Mues | September 26th, 2026

What Does Ohio’s Tracking Law Prohibit?

Quick Answer: Ohio’s tracking law, R.C. 2903.216, generally prohibits knowingly using a tracking device or tracking application to track another person or their property without consent, subject to statutory exceptions. Importantly for divorcing spouses, consent previously given to tracking is presumed revoked when one spouse files for divorce or a petition for dissolution of marriage, and the statute generally provides 72 hours after service to uninstall or discontinue the tracking technology.

Ohio’s tracking law, Section 2903.216, may affect spouses going through divorce or dissolution. The law addresses the use of tracking devices and tracking applications and can become particularly important when a marriage is ending. The March 20, 2025 law specifically added provisions addressing divorce and dissolution, including the effect of a divorce complaint or dissolution petition on previously given consent to tracking. Continue Reading → about Ohio’s tracking statute, Section 2903.216.

Divorce and dissolution proceedings increasingly involve technology.… View Full Article → “Tracking Your Spouse During an Ohio Divorce: What Ohio’s New Tracking Law Means for Families!”

How Long Does Spousal Support Last in Ohio?

By Robert "Chip" Mues | September 19th, 2026

When Can Spousal Support Last Indefinitely in Ohio?

How long does spousal support last in Ohio? When an Ohio court awards spousal support, one of the most important questions is how long the payments will continue. Contrary to a common misconception, a long marriage does not automatically mean permanent spousal support.

Ohio Generally Favors Time-Limited Support

In Kunkle v. Kunkle, 51 Ohio St.3d 64 (1990), the Ohio Supreme Court established that spousal support should generally be limited to a reasonable period and terminate on a date certain when the recipient spouse has the ability and potential to become self-supporting.

Kunkle identified circumstances that may justify indefinite support, including:

A marriage for a long duration;
Parties of advanced age; or
A spouse who has been a homemaker with limited opportunities to develop meaningful employment.

However, these circumstances do not automatically require indefinite support.

What Factors Determine How Long Spousal Support Lasts in Ohio?… View Full Article →

Dumped from the Island: When One Partner Moves Out Before Filing for Divorce

By Guest Contributor Rachel Zagorski | September 12th, 2026

Moving Out Before Divorce in Ohio: The Real Danger

In the Love Island villa, getting “dumped” is a brutal but straightforward process. A text arrives, and within minutes, the single Islander has packed their bags and is on a flight back home. There are no lease agreements, no mortgage paperwork, and no arguments over who keeps the furniture.

Outside the villa, “coupling up” usually involves a legally binding contract, whether it be a residential lease, a mortgage, or a prenuptial agreement. When a relationship breaks down and you’re considering moving out before divorce in Ohio, you can’t just yell “I got a text!” and pack your bags without a strategy.

If you’re exhausted by the conflict, craving privacy, or wondering if you should take your things and go, here is how Ohio family law handles the choice to move out before filing for divorce.

The House: Do You Lose Your Rights When Moving Out Before Divorce in Ohio?… View Full Article →

Tips for Navigating Ohio Back-to-School Custody Disputes

By Robert "Chip" Mues | September 5th, 2026

Ohio Back-To-School Custody Disputes: What You Need To Know

As summer winds down, families across Ohio begin preparing for the new school year. While purchasing supplies, adjusting sleep schedules and helping with homework is stressful for any parent, divorced parents may face an added layer of difficulty: disagreements over school decisions.

Whether you and your ex disagree about school enrollment, extracurricular participation, or transportation schedules, Ohio back-to-school custody disputes can quickly lead to conflict. Knowing how Ohio law addresses these decisions can help protect your child’s daily routine and minimize stress for everyone involved.

1. Look to Your Court Order and Parenting Plan First

Under Ohio law, your court-ordered custody arrangement or Shared Parenting Plan serves as the primary roadmap for major decisions about your children’s well being, including education.

Before the school year begins, review these documents for specific terms regarding:

Who has final decision-making authority over school enrollment or are you required to reach a mutual agreement?

… View Full Article →

Medicaid Divorce in Ohio: Risks, Pitfalls & Alternatives

By Gwenevier N. Demarest and Robert L. Mues | August 29th, 2026

Medicaid Divorce in Ohio: What You Need to Know

Publisher’s Note:

A potential client was referred to me by a local lawyer to help her initiate a “Medicaid Divorce” as her husband had lost his job, has significant medical issues and outrageous medical bills. She explained that he didn’t qualify for Medicaid because of her income and she is unable to maintain the house and support him. She wanted a divorce but remain together. The call raised all sorts of red flags!

I referred her to the law firm of Demarest + Demarest in Bellbrook to obtain the Medicaid planning advice she desperately needed. We have been partnering with Demarest & Demarest on estate planning, probate, elder law and Medicaid planning matters for almost 2 years. They do EXCELLENT work! I knew they could help her plan and consider other alternatives available.

This call also led me to suggest to Gwen and Cullen Demarest that we write this blog together to perhaps provide the public with some valuable information for those who are experiencing similar hardships.… View Full Article → “Medicaid Divorce in Ohio: Risks, Pitfalls & Alternatives”

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