Ohio Family Law Blog

Divorced? Here are Some Tips to Avoid Summertime Blues with the Kids

By Robert "Chip" Mues | June 26th, 2021

Families Facing Parenting Challenges During Covid-19 Summertime Months

Divorced with Children? How to Juggle Work, Vacation and Childcare During the Summertime Months

COVID-19 has certainly added to the stress of the school year no matter what plan you pursued. Homeschooling, virtual learning, in school instruction, masks, social distancing, all have wreaked havoc with the traditional school year to which most people are accustomed. Now summer, and those carefree days that kids dream about all school year long, has finally arrived. However, summer can be difficult on parents when it comes to 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.… View Full Article → “Divorced? Here are Some Tips to Avoid Summertime Blues with the Kids”

Overview of Adoption in Ohio

By Robert "Chip" Mues | June 19th, 2021

Looking to adopt- a guide forward

Many hope to adopt and start down the path only to realize the process is much more time-consuming and confusing than they imagined. There are a couple of way to best prepare: seeking out both your state and county processes, becoming knowledgeable about the routes of adoption available, and the advice of a legal professional.

Anyone who hopes to adopt, regardless if it is domestically or internationally, must complete a six-month at-home study to determine suitability. The particular home study requirements vary due to county, but a majority include interviews, health and financial records, home visits, and adoption education.

Beyond initial studies, consent to adoption is also needed in many situations. Consent may be granted 72 hours after birth if the at-home assessment is complete, if it is not it can be given 72 hours after completion. If a child is over the age of 12, they must consent to the adoption as well.… View Full Article → “Overview of Adoption in Ohio”

In Ohio, Will Your Counselor or Lawyer Report Suspected Child Abuse to Children Protective Services?

By Robert "Chip" Mues | June 12th, 2021

Suspected Child Abuse: Questions Both Lawyers and Psychologists, Therapists and Counselors Consider Before Notifying Child Protective Services

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have enacted statues requiring the reporting of suspected child abuse. Not all state statutes are the same. While all states support the mission to eliminate child abuse, they have enacted very different legislation.

Since I am an Ohio divorce lawyer, I want to focus in this blog on reporting issues that I have seen in my practice pertaining to the obligation for both lawyers and psychologists, therapists and counselors to report suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services (CPS).

Perhaps a good way to illustrate the difference in how a lawyer and therapist must deal with this client/patient is by creating a hypothetical pattern.

HYPOTHETICAL FACT PATTERN:

A divorce client comes into the office and tells me that he believes that his wife has sexually abused their 15-year-old son.… View Full Article → “In Ohio, Will Your Counselor or Lawyer Report Suspected Child Abuse to Children Protective Services?”

An Overview of Adoptions, Guardianship and Custody Actions in Ohio

By Robert "Chip" Mues | June 5th, 2021

Legal Advice is Essential, if contemplating Adoption, Custody or Guardianship Action

The Legal Caregiver Roles in Ohio: Adoption, Custody and Guardianship. Which Role is Right For Me?

It is fundamental to those contemplating a new role of a caregiver of a child to know the rights and restrictions of each of these proceedings in order to best be informed about the legal possibilities and implications.

It is critical to have a committed person/family step in and assume the role of care in the precarious situations children or others needing care are often left in. Being informed is priceless, but obtaining legal advice is essential. Which option or approach is best for your situation may turn on specific facts and the legal jurisdictional requirements. But, here is an overview of the options.

What are the options?

Adoption:

Adoption terminates the legal relationship once held between the biological parent and the child. Anyone looking to adopt must complete a home study to determine potential suitability which includes completing requirements such as: personal interviews, home visits, and adoption education.… View Full Article → “An Overview of Adoptions, Guardianship and Custody Actions in Ohio”

Blast From The Past: The Benefits of Four Way Settlement Conferences

By Robert "Chip" Mues | May 29th, 2021

Is a Settlement Conference Worth it?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Below is the repost of a blog from February 19, 2011 that has stood the test of time! Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques have flourished over the last 10 years! With escalating litigation costs and Court delays, 4 way settlement conferences are a great tool to move a case towards resolution. Operating in “good faith” and being willing to compromise is a major key in reaching success.

Settlement Conference 101: How to Schedule, what to Expect, and how to Prepare

The topic for this Family Blog Article is one that is I like to use and one that I highly recommend to clients and to other practitioners. A four (4) way settlement conference is a meeting or conference attended by both parties (Husband and Wife) and their respective attorneys.

The meeting generally takes place at one of the attorney’s offices but it could be held at an absolutely neutral location such as the Bar Association, a local library, or a church having meeting rooms available for the public.… View Full Article → “Blast From The Past: The Benefits of Four Way Settlement Conferences”

6 Easy Ways To Better Enjoy Your Life And Be Happy

By Guest Contributor Dr. Karen Finn | May 22nd, 2021

I Want To Enjoy Life And Be Happy, But How Do I Get There?

The effort to get ahead, enjoy your life, and be happy can, at times, feel like being trapped on a destinationless hamster wheel. When it comes to that simple quest, we’re all pretty much the same.

And yet, for all those years of self-help books and Oprah-in-the-afternoons, happiness can still seem frustratingly elusive.

The Dalai Lama makes it all sound so simple, so matter of fact: The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

Well, isn’t that special? your mind may quip with an eye roll. I have ten children, three mortgages, two jobs, and no car. When do I have time to enjoy my life?

Everyone comes with a story. And everyone can be rendered miserable or unconditionally happy because – and regardless – of that story.

Joy is your birthright. It’s the unburdened, uncorrupted state of your being when you enter this world.… View Full Article → “6 Easy Ways To Better Enjoy Your Life And Be Happy”

Are You Curious About the Purpose for the Ohio CSEA?

By Robert "Chip" Mues | May 15th, 2021

What you need to know about the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) in Ohio

Clients have many questions about the purpose and role of the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) in Ohio. So, I thought that posting this blog might be helpful! I have pulled and merged useful information from various sites.

HISTORY:

Parents have a duty to support their children. The Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) was established with the Federal Government’s enactment of Child Support Enforcement and Paternity Establishment Program (CSE) in 1975 to reduce welfare expenses by collecting child support from non-custodial parents.

This program works with State and County agencies by helping locate parents, establishing legal fatherhood (paternity), establishing and enforcing fair support orders, increasing health care coverage for children, removing barriers to payment, such as referring parents to employment services, supporting healthy co-parenting relationships, supporting responsible fatherhood, and helping to prevent and reduce family violence.… View Full Article → “Are You Curious About the Purpose for the Ohio CSEA?”

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