Ohio Family Law Blog

What To Do If You’re Struggling With Life After Divorce

By Guest Contributor Dr. Karen Finn | July 17th, 2021

7 Steps For You to Take That Can Make Your Life After Divorce A Life You Love Again

Divorce is rarely easy. It marks the end of something you thought would last forever – through thick and thin. And when your dreams are destroyed, moving forward from the destruction can be really, really hard. What you need to know first is you’re not alone. Struggling with life after divorce is pretty common.

If fact, at least 50% of everyone who divorces struggles with moving on with their lives. I know this because there’s usually one spouse who decides divorce is the answer while the other wants to work on the marriage. And, as you know, it only takes one to make the decision to divorce.

However, not everyone who decides divorce is the answer to the problems in their marriage finds it easy to move on with their life. Many of the deciders struggle with life after divorce too.… View Full Article → “What To Do If You’re Struggling With Life After Divorce”

What Do You Do When Your Ex Drops 80,000+ Pennies for Child Support on Your Lawn? Her Response is Priceless!

By Robert "Chip" Mues | July 10th, 2021

Safe Harbor Shelter Sees Spike In Donations

Immature Demonstration By Ex Leads To Unintended Gift For Local Domestic Violence Shelter In Richmond, Virginia

Yes. This actually happened in Virginia on May 21, 2021. A man rents a trailer and dumps 80,000+ pennies on the sidewalk and front lawn of his Ex-wife in satisfaction of his last child support payment. The child, Avery Sanford, who just turned 18 hasn’t seen her father for years. It sounds like her Mother and Avery were smart. What kind of a jerk, let alone a Dad would do this? So, maybe he has his gripes about having to pay child support, but really? Such an immature demonstration to his daughter is totally unwarranted no matter his beef. How disrespectful to his daughter and his ex-wife!

So, what did Avery and her mother do? Well, after making a police report, they shoveled up and collected all the pennies and cashed them in.… View Full Article → “What Do You Do When Your Ex Drops 80,000+ Pennies for Child Support on Your Lawn? Her Response is Priceless!”

How Much Child Tax Credit Should You Receive Starting July 15th?

By Robert "Chip" Mues | July 3rd, 2021

IRS Announces American Rescue Plan Raises Child Tax Credit For 2021, Largest Ever

DID YOU GET A LETTER FROM THE IRS?

Oh my – a letter from the IRS! That has to be bad news, right? Perhaps an audit notice? Well, not in this situation! 36 million families will be receiving a letter from the IRS explaining the new child tax credit provisions for 2021 under the American Rescue Plan. It is predicted that 92% of households with kids will qualify for direct financial aid. For those with children, the American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. All working families will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent (also called Head of Household).… View Full Article → “How Much Child Tax Credit Should You Receive Starting July 15th?”

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”

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