Ohio Family Law Blog

Advocating for Your Mental Health as You go Through a Divorce is Really Important!

By Robert "Chip" Mues | May 16th, 2026

Publisher’s Note: May is Mental Health Awareness month. It has been observed in the United States in May since 1949. With all that is going on in the world we live in today, there are significant challenges to everyone’s mental health. Those include, dealing with increased anxiety leading to depression and burnout, often fueled by factors like economic instability and social isolation. For those of you going through a divorce this period in your life can be overwhelming and stressful, and it is so important that you take steps to prioritize yourself and your mental health wellbeing. I posted this article back in July of 2023, but I have updated it a bit and believe it is worth resharing especially during Mental Health Awareness Month.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. It is Important to Safeguard Your Mental Health during Your Divorce Process!

… View Full Article → “Advocating for Your Mental Health as You go Through a Divorce is Really Important!”

Why Marriage Matters for Same-Sex Parental Protections in Ohio. Analysis of Ohio Supreme Court Decision in In Re: L.E.S.

By Robert "Chip" Mues | May 9th, 2026

Ohio Same-Sex Parental Rights Artificial Insemination Under Ohio Law

The Ohio Supreme Court issued a significant ruling on April 28, 2026, clarifying how parental rights are established for same-sex couples using artificial insemination. The Ohio Supreme Court recently clarified issues surrounding Ohio same-sex parental rights artificial insemination in a significant decision involving unmarried same-sex parents and the application of Ohio’s parentage statutes. Click here to read the full decision, which highlights a critical takeaway for LGBTQ+ families in the state: legal marriage remains the primary gateway to securing automatic parental protections under Ohio’s artificial insemination statutes.

The Case: C.E. v. P.S.

The ruling stems from a custody dispute between two women, identified as C.E. and P.S., who were in a long-term relationship before the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. During their relationship, P.S. (the biological mother) gave birth to children conceived through artificial insemination.… View Full Article → “Why Marriage Matters for Same-Sex Parental Protections in Ohio. Analysis of Ohio Supreme Court Decision in In Re: L.E.S.”

Moms, Stepmothers and Grandmothers, Please Take a Bow!

By Robert "Chip" Mues | May 2nd, 2026

Publisher’s Note:
As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s important to reflect on the vital role women play in children’s lives, including how Ohio family law stepmother and grandparent rights continue to evolve in today’s families. As I reflect on my childhood. I was blessed to have been raised in a nuclear family with both a loving mother and father, but when it comes to mothers, mine was just the best! I was also supported by two wonderful grandmothers, an aunt, and later after my mother passed away, a strong and caring stepmother. I was scrolling through past blogs which I have posted for Mother’s Day, and this blog article from 2008, still rings so true.

Ohio Family Law Stepmother and Grandparent Rights in Blended Families

I hope that this Mother’s Day all of you recognize and honor the women in your life and those in your children’s lives. Raising children in these difficult times is no easy task.… View Full Article → “Moms, Stepmothers and Grandmothers, Please Take a Bow!”

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and Domestic Violence: The Devastating Impact of Domestic Violence on Child Custody Arrangements

By Lydia Wagenbach | April 25th, 2026

Domestic violence child custody Ohio cases are taken very seriously by courts, especially when a child’s safety may be at risk.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I want to thank Lydia Wagenbach for writing this interesting blog post! Lydia has been clerking with MuesLaw this semester. She is finishing her second year of study at the University of Dayton School of Law. Besides law Lydia, you have the talent to add a side gig working as a reality television show critic! If you liked this post, click here to read the one she wrote on January 17, 2026, titled “Ohio Prenuptial Agreements: What Love is Blind Teaches Couples”. Very well done, Lydia! You are a GREAT writer!

How Domestic Violence Affects Child Custody in Ohio

The reality TV world was recently rocked by a scandal of great proportions. Taylor Frankie Paul, the star of Hulu’s highly successful reality show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was all set to star on season 22 of ABC’s reality series The Bachelorette.… View Full Article → “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and Domestic Violence: The Devastating Impact of Domestic Violence on Child Custody Arrangements”

Taxes and Divorces: Why Divorce Filings Spike in the Spring

By Robert "Chip" Mues | April 18th, 2026

Understanding divorce and taxes in Ohio is important during tax season

Red Flags in Tax Documents During Divorce

At the time I am writing this blog post, we are in the thick of tax season. April 15th has just passed, and many people have been scrambling to finish last minute tax filings. Coincidentally, many divorce attorneys often see a spike in divorce rates in the spring.

According to research by the University of Washington that analyzed data in 2016 reported that divorce filings “consistently peaked in March and August.” There are several factors that could explain this spike, but many experts have theorized that tax season is partially to blame: for practical reasons, many couples postpone divorce proceedings until after Christmas and the New Year, so they can keep taxes for the preceding year simple. Additionally, filing taxes gives people a clearer view of their financial picture and how to move forward in the future.… View Full Article → “Taxes and Divorces: Why Divorce Filings Spike in the Spring”

AimeeSays: How AI Could Help Rewrite the Script of High-Conflict Divorce

By Robert "Chip" Mues | April 11th, 2026

For survivors, attorneys, and courts alike, the role of AI in high-conflict divorce Ohio cases is becoming an important topic.

Publisher’s Note:

April Erion, a second year law student at the University Of Dayton School Of Law, is clerking with MuesLaw this term. She came to me with a very interesting blog article topic. She asked me if I had heard of AimeeSays and told me about it. I had not heard of it. After checking it out, I decided to get some insight about it from an expert. I asked Jane Keiffer, the Executive Director of the Artemis Center in Dayton about AimeeSays and any impressions.

I believe that information about all resources available to victims of domestic abuse/violence should be disseminated to the public. That is why sharing this blog topic is important in my opinion! AI is intriguing in many ways – but also scary too.

I want to thank April Erion for the idea and helping write this blog.… View Full Article → “AimeeSays: How AI Could Help Rewrite the Script of High-Conflict Divorce”

The Importance of the De Facto End Date of Marriage in an Ohio Divorce

By Robert "Chip" Mues | April 4th, 2026

What Is a De Facto End Date of Marriage in Ohio?

In an Ohio divorce, the de facto end date of marriage Ohio courts apply can significantly impact property division, debt allocation, and spousal support. In typical divorce proceedings, the end date of marriage is the date of the final hearing, when the divorce is granted.

However, this isn’t always the case. A court can determine what is called a de facto end date of marriage. This sets the termination date of the marriage prior to the final hearing and decree, despite not having obtained said decree yet. That date frequently may be determined to be the date of separation or perhaps the filing date of the divorce complaint.

In addition, a hotly contested divorce case can take a year or longer to complete, which can add to the importance of filing a motion to determine the De Facto termination date of the marriage, especially if you are representing the spouse earning most of the marital income!… View Full Article → “The Importance of the De Facto End Date of Marriage in an Ohio Divorce”

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