Helping Clients Navigate Passport Rules for Minors

A Family at a Passport Acceptance Facility:

The Attorney’s Cheat Sheet: Passport Rules for Minors Explained

I had to research the passport rules for minors for a client on a recent divorce case. I quickly learned that this process is very detailed and complicated.

Every U.S. citizen child is entitled to a U.S. passport, with no minimum age requirement. This entitlement stems from federal law and the Department of State’s regulations.

  • 8 U.S.C. § 1185(b) requires that U.S. citizens present a valid passport to enter or leave the country.
  • 22 C.F.R. § 51.4(b) confirms there is no age bar on passport issuance.
  • 22 C.F.R. § 51.4(b)(2) specifies that passports issued to applicants under 16 are valid for up to five years only.
Why Passport Rules For Minors Are Important:

Every child can get a U.S. passport, but the law has extra rules for kids under sixteen. These passport rules for minors are in place to help prevent abduction or travel without permission.… View Full Article → “Helping Clients Navigate Passport Rules for Minors”

What to Expect at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio

Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio

What Happens at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio?

The final dissolution hearing in Ohio is the last step in the legal process of dissolving a marriage. According to Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.64, the final hearing must be scheduled not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days after the filing of the petition for dissolution of marriage. Prior to the final dissolution hearing in Ohio, the Compliance Office will review your documents to ensure they meet the Court’s local rules and include all required language. Often edits are required before the hearing will proceed.

In a dissolution proceeding, agreements have been reached by the parties and the hearing simply puts those agreements into place, making them legally enforceable. The hearing allows the court to confirm that both parties fully understand and accept the terms outlined in the documents. During the hearing, the Judge will review the separation agreement to ensure it is fair and meets Ohio’s legal standards.… View Full Article → “What to Expect at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio”

Have You Found Out that You Are Allergic to Marriage? Some Humorous Quotes about Divorce

humorous divorce quotes

Our Favorite Humorous Divorce Quotes from Clients and Friends

Of course, divorcing is not a laughing matter, but humor can be helpful on occasion. I heard a quip attributed to Isla Fisher recently about her divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen that made me recall my blog post several years back of a collection of humorous divorce quotes from celebrities and comedians. So, I thought I would update it with Isla’s comment and repost those quotes.

You can thank my daughter-in-law, Bambi, for that original post if you like it. She and my son own Eclectic Essentials, a boutique now in West Milton. She called me on the phone and said, “A new customer came in the shop and told us he was redecorating his house after his divorce, and he loved our store.” She said the middle-aged man said to her “You know I found out that I am allergic to marriage.”… View Full Article → “Have You Found Out that You Are Allergic to Marriage? Some Humorous Quotes about Divorce”

The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174

Alert Key Legal Update

What Is Ohio Senate Bill 174?

IIn May 2025, Ohio Senate Bill 174 was introduced by Senators Gavarone and Hicks-Hudson. The bill is currently in the Senate Committee. The proposed legislation would amend several sections of the Ohio Revised Code, adopt new section numbers, and even repeal a few sections regarding the allocation of parenting responsibilities in a parenting plan.

Ohio Senate Bill 174 – Key Parenting Law Changes

The bill, which is over 400 pages long, establishes a state public policy to foster and continue the relationship between the child and each parent when allocating parenting responsibilities and for each parent to have parenting time and participate in decision-making regarding the child, when it is in the child’s best interest. It replaces language to make the law more modern. For example, instead of using the terminology “parenting time” the bill utilizes the term “companionship”.

The bill also eliminates the use of the phrase “parental rights and responsibilities” for a more child-centered phrase of “parenting responsibilities”.… View Full Article → “The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174”

Divorce Without a Lawyer: What Can Go Wrong?

Divorce without a lawyer couple not a good idea.

What Can Go Wrong in a Divorce Without a Lawyer?

Like most veteran divorce lawyers, I’ve seen many people try to handle a divorce without a lawyer – often to their own detriment. 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 or no inquiry by the Judge if the facts are correct or the orders are fair or equitable;
  4. No one will protect or even really consider or care about your rights or interests.
… View Full Article → “Divorce Without a Lawyer: What Can Go Wrong?”

10 Fun Summertime Activities for Kids with Divorced Parents

summer activities for kids with divorced parents

How to Plan Summer Activities for Kids with Divorced Parents Without Conflict

Summer, and those carefree days that kids dream about all school year long, has finally arrived. However, planning summer activities for kids with divorced parents can be difficult, especially when juggling work, vacation, camps and childcare.

This is especially true for parents who are separated or divorced. Trying to coordinate summer schedules can cause tension and conflict. Although there is no easy way to resolve all the issues that may arise when raising children in two separate homes, there are some tips to follow to help make things easier for both the parents and the kids.

The first thing to do is to read over your divorce or custody decree if you have one, and/or review your parenting agreement. Make sure you have a clear understanding about what your agreement says about co-parenting during the summer months. Also, be sure to review the attached Court’s Standard Order which often adds more detail about Summer parenting terms.… View Full Article → “10 Fun Summertime Activities for Kids with Divorced Parents”

Why Do Some Friends Disappear After a Divorce?

A divorced person reconnecting with a friend over coffee

“True friends after divorce are the ones who accept the changes and still stand by you as you rebuild.”

Tips to Maintain Friends After Divorce

It goes without saying that traveling down the road of divorce, even in the most amicable situations, is an emotional journey filled with changes to a couple’s lifestyle. One change that is often overlooked is how one’s friendships are affected.

Adjusting to life without the same social connections can be one of the toughest aspects of rebuilding your life. Navigating friendships after divorce is rarely discussed, but it plays a critical role in your emotional recovery.

During a marriage a couple often shares a circle of friends. When they decide to go their separate ways, the dynamics of those friendships inevitably change. Friends within that circle often feel an unspoken pressure to side with one of the parties. They might feel torn between who they should support, and struggle with the idea of maintaining a relationship with both soon to be exes.… View Full Article → “Why Do Some Friends Disappear After a Divorce?”

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