I generally begin my articles for our Family Blog Web Site with a definition of the topic or subject that I am addressing, and this month’s article will not deviate from that practice. Finance is defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary as being “the science of managing money”. And, Financial Planner is defined by Wikipedia as “a practicing professional who helps people deal with various personal financial issues through proper planning, which includes but is not limited to these major areas: cash flow management, education planning, estate planning, investment planning, risk management and insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning and business succession planning (for business owners). The work engaged in by this professional is commonly known as personal financial planning. In carrying out the planning function, he or she is guided by the financial planning process to create a financial plan – a detailed strategy tailored to a client’s specific situation, for meeting a client’s specific goals.”… View Full Article → “The Importance of Financial Planners for Clients Facing Divorce or Dissolution”
Thoughts about Your Divorce Day
Just as each marriage is unique, so is each divorce. Your reaction to the final legal decree will vary from that of others going through this process. Your feelings will be based on your own special circumstances and will depend upon a number of factors:
- How reconciled you are to the divorce.
- How much time has passed between the filing of the original papers and the final day.
- How much acrimony still exists with your spouse.
- How much rebuilding of your own life you have already done.
Divorce Day can bring about a myriad of feelings, ranging from extreme sadness to exuberant joy to calm indifference. By knowing yourself and your own feelings about your situation, you can predict, to some degree, how you will feel.
Here are some tips for preparing for your day in court:
- Make a trial run the day before so you know how to get there and where to park.
A Reprise of “The Red Ones Are The Best!”
Some holidays warrant special attention. Independence Day is certainly one of them. Last year, I wrote an article for the occasion which I dedicated to my Aunt Marion. In it, I shared some meaningful personal memories and experiences. I have decided to repost it, but this year I want to dedicate it to a wonderful client I represented this past year through a very long and difficult divorce. “Jane” is one of my all time favorite clients! In part, due to her class, intelligence, grace and the exceptional humor she exhibited throughout the proceedings which hit her from “left field” and ended a 19 year marriage. Together, we worked through each painful issue step by step to trial. She and I connected . . . So, why do I mention this? Well, Jane became a reader of the Ohio Family Law Blog and grew up in Maine, like my Aunt Marion. … View Full Article → “A Reprise of “The Red Ones Are The Best!””
When Our Adult Children Divorce
As an adult who weathered through a divorce proceeding within the past thirteen (13) years, I was the product of an “intact family” having parents who were married for more than 54 years. Like most young women, I was “socialized” into thinking that I would grow up, meet Prince Charming, fall in love, get married, and “live happily ever after”! Unfortunately, that dream of many young women has become more of a myth than a “true-to-life” fairy tale as our divorce rate approaches or exceeds 50% for first time marriages. Nevertheless, I was hopeful that my two children would not be negatively affected by their parents’ divorce as they were not toddlers anymore. When my divorce actually took place, both children had graduated from college and were living independently.
When my son advised us that he was going to become engaged, we were thrilled for him. They seemed to be so happy and so in love with one another.… View Full Article → “When Our Adult Children Divorce”
New Law Protects Teens from Dating Harassment and Violence
In 2005, a seventeen-year old girl named Shynerra Grant was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Antonio. She had just graduated high school in Toledo, Ohio, and was heading to college in the fall. Shynerra had been stalked by her ex-boyfriend for more than a year before she was murdered. Antonio stalked and abused Shynerra, including an incident in May 2004 when he broke into her home and put her in the hospital with a broken jaw. At the time an adult could obtain a Civil Stalking Protection Order (CSPO), but it was almost impossible for minors to get that same protection if the aggressor was another minor.
In March 2010, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation that would confront this issue. House Bill 10, named the Shynerra Grant Law, was sent to Governor Strickland for his signature. The Governor signed the bill into law and it will become effective on June 17, 2010. … View Full Article → “New Law Protects Teens from Dating Harassment and Violence”
How Injury Claims Are Treated In Divorce Court
In early April, I received a phone call from Attorney Brian Wilson, a principal in the Canton personal injury law firm of Nicodemo & Wilson. He and I have teamed up on a few prior projects, and he has contributed to the Oho Family Law Blog in the past. After catching up a bit on the joys of blogging and our respective lives, he asked if I might consider writing an article as a guest blogger on their Bull’s-Eye Blog about how personal injury settlements are treated by divorce courts. Of course, I was only too happy to accommodate Brian. His blog is superb and one that I read several times a week. Check it out by clicking here. The article I wrote was posted on May 3, 2010. Thanks, Brian! Here it is starting with Brian’s introduction:
Occasionally, we have guest bloggers write on topics of interest that cross over into Ohio personal injury issues.… View Full Article → “How Injury Claims Are Treated In Divorce Court”
AlcohoIism And Chemical Dependency: Special Dilemmas In Family Law Cases
Alcoholism is defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary as “the habitual drinking of alcoholic liquor, or as a resulting diseased condition”. It is also defined as a chronic and progressive illness characterized by physiological and psychological dependency upon the ingestion of alcohol; a loss of control over drinking, including when, and in what form, how much, and why; and interference with normal functioning in one or all such areas such as family, work, friendship, and community activity.
Chemical Dependency can be defined as alcoholism is above…..but it is a chronic and progressive illness characterized by a physical and psychological dependency upon the ingestion of legal or illegal mood altering drugs; a loss of control over the ingestion of the drugs, including when, and in what form, how much, and why; and interference with normal functioning in one or all such areas such as family, work, friendship, and community activity.
Are families in domestic relations matters impacted by these diseases?… View Full Article → “AlcohoIism And Chemical Dependency: Special Dilemmas In Family Law Cases”