Blast From The Past: What is a Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement and What is Its Purpose?

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   February 4th, 2023
Blast From The Past: What is a Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement and What is Its Purpose?

Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: With the start of the New Year comes a large spike in divorce filings. 2023 is no exception! Clients often have questions about how divorce retainer agreements work. So, I thought it might be a good time to repost this blog from August 8, 2020. Like the cost of many things, the hourly rates and typical retainer amounts charged by divorce lawyers have risen since 2020, perhaps as much as 10+ percent. The other information in the blog is still right on point.

Divorce Lawyers Require A Retainer Fee On Start Of Your Legal Representation

So, unfortunately you find yourself meeting with a divorce lawyer to discuss terminating your marriage. The conference goes well and after careful consideration you decide to hire the lawyer.

HOW DO DIVORCE LAWYERS CHARGE?

When the subject of fees and the attorney’s hourly rate comes up, you will likely hear the request for a “retainer fee“.… View Full Article → “Blast From The Past: What is a Divorce Retainer Fee Agreement and What is Its Purpose?”

A Historical Perspective of No-Fault Divorce Laws in Ohio

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   January 28th, 2023
A Historical Perspective of No-Fault Divorce Laws in Ohio

The Pros of a No-Fault Divorce Can Cause Positive Ripple Effects

The 1970s-known for disco, bell bottom jeans, lava lamps, muscle cars, the Brady Bunch, Pong, and the first Concorde commercial flight-but what about divorce? In the 1970s a revolution took place in the United States. Not the British Invasion, but rather a divorce law revolution. In the 1970s alone, 37 states amended or repealed divorce laws, now allowing married couples to divorce under a “no-fault” system. Under the old, “fault-based” scheme, one party would have to be found guilty of adultery, abandonment, physical or emotional abuse, or a protracted separation period (at least 2 years), etc.

Generally, under this scheme, if an individual seeking a divorce could not prove that one of the previously listed grounds for divorce was present, American courts would not grant the divorce. Without evidence proving their partner was engaging in atrocious acts, an individual was forced to remain in their marriage.… View Full Article → “A Historical Perspective of No-Fault Divorce Laws in Ohio”

Life in Ohio Post-Roe – The Next Baby Boom or Crash?

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   January 21st, 2023
Life in Ohio Post-Roe – The Next Baby Boom or Crash?

Post-Roe decision Could Impact Baby-Formula Availability With Addition Births Projected

The post-Roe rise in births in the U.S. will be in some of the worst states for infant and maternal health. The immediate effects of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization closed clinics shifting abortion access across the map almost overnight. Although it is too soon to see a rise in babies born to mothers who did not wish to have them. An economics professor, Caitlin Myers estimates there will be approximately 50,000 additional births nationwide. A trend quickly started on TikTok where “camping” became the code word for abortions.

Young women have been more scared than ever, to get pregnant. These children could start the next anti-abortion movement  but America is unprepared to care for them and their birth mothers. But, plans are set “To make Ohio truly the best place in the nation to have a baby and raise a family….… View Full Article → “Life in Ohio Post-Roe – The Next Baby Boom or Crash?”

How To Be Happy With Your Life Post-Divorce

By Guest Contributor Dr. Karen Finn   |   January 14th, 2023
How To Be Happy With Your Life Post-Divorce

Are You Happy With Your Post-Divorce Life

How To Steer Your Mindset In The Direction Of Happiness, Post-Divorce

Are you one of those people who just knows how to be happy with your life, regardless of your circumstances? Or do your circumstances dictate the state of your happiness? What if you’re divorced or are going through a divorce? Would happiness suddenly seem like a coveted but impossible commodity?

There are no right or wrong answers – only honest ones. It’s the honest ones, after all, that open the door to possibility, whether that be in the form of major improvement or a simple shift in perspective.

Using divorce as a pivotal discussion point is a meaningful way to examine the concept of happiness in the throes of chaos, disappointment, and loss. As a veritable 180 to the hope-filled expectations and joyful ambitions of married life, divorce is an eviscerating experience.… View Full Article → “How To Be Happy With Your Life Post-Divorce”

Legal Alert: Planning for Parenting Time – Ohio’s Guide for Parents Living Apart

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   January 7th, 2023
Legal Alert: Planning for Parenting Time – Ohio’s Guide for Parents Living Apart

Did You Know? Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor has Written a Guide About Planning Parenting Time Schedules for Parents Living Apart

Looking for a resource in Ohio to help you design a parenting time schedule that will work best for you, your Ex, and your children? I thought it worthwhile to share this resource with the readers of the Ohio Family Law Blog. This is not a new resource. It was published in 2019 by the Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor.

I was thinking about her the other day, since I knew she was retiring from the Ohio Supreme Court in January. She has served Ohio for 24 years in various elected State of Ohio offices – longer than any other woman in Ohio. In addition, Justice O’Connor has been passionate about child related issues throughout her career.

She introduced this resource as being “Ohio specific and it is intended to .… View Full Article → “Legal Alert: Planning for Parenting Time – Ohio’s Guide for Parents Living Apart”

Tips for Smooth Parenting Exchanges for Divorced Parents

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   December 31st, 2022
Tips for Smooth Parenting Exchanges for Divorced Parents

Tips To Help Make Visitation Exchange Go Smoothly For You, Your Ex, And Your Child

Visitation Exchange Involving Children can often be Stressful after Divorce. Tips to make Parental Exchanges Trouble-Free for all!

It goes without saying that in most cases divorce is a difficult and an emotional time, especially when children are involved. Even though you may have worked out the details of “sharing” the children the actual exchange of the child/children can be a stressful time and can bring out the worst in the parents. Remembering what you both want is in the best interest of the children is so important! This blog article is going to offer tips to help ensure that the swap goes well.

BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE

First of all be prepared and plan ahead so that your child has all that he or she will need at your ex’s house. It is a good idea to have clothes, toys, and school supplies at both residences, but there are certain items that will most likely need to travel back and forth.… View Full Article → “Tips for Smooth Parenting Exchanges for Divorced Parents”

UPDATES TO ALERT – Regarding Tax Changes for 2023 Directed to Venmo and PayPal Users Originally Posted December 17, 2022

By Joseph E. Balmer   |   December 28th, 2022
UPDATES TO ALERT – Regarding Tax Changes for 2023 Directed to Venmo and PayPal Users Originally Posted December 17, 2022

E-Commerce Platforms Impacted by Recent IRS Announcement

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: After publishing an article on this blog on December 17, 2022, the I.R.S. made a change as to the effective date for the “gig-tax” rule discussed. Please read the update below.

UPDATE: I.R.S. Makes Tax Changes for E-commerce Platforms, Pauses Requirement for 1099s

On December 23, 2022 the I.R.S. paused the requirement that e-commerce platforms such as PayPal, Venmo, Etsy and Airbnb send 1099s to any users who had gross income through the app of at least $600 in 2022.

Previously, e-commerce users received 1099s if they had gross income for the year of at least $20,000 or at least 200 transactions. As part of the American Rescue Act, in March of 2021 Congress changed the threshold to $600, to take effect in 2022. Now the I.R.S. had instituted a one year delay for the law to go into effect. According to the I.R.S.,… View Full Article → “UPDATES TO ALERT – Regarding Tax Changes for 2023 Directed to Venmo and PayPal Users Originally Posted December 17, 2022”

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