Tips For Financially Preparing for a Divorce

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   August 16th, 2025
Tips For Financially Preparing for a Divorce

Why Financial Preparation for Divorce Matters

It goes without saying, divorce is an extremely difficult and emotional journey. It can be overwhelming, and it will most likely affect and change many aspects of life including finances. Financial preparation for divorce is crucial in order to move forward in your divorce. Separating finances with two spouses can be messy. Preparing to do so in advance is smart! Each partner should do this to ensure security and stability both during the divorce proceedings and after the divorce is finalized.

There are certainly things both parties can do to financially prepare for divorce. Here are some tips for those going through this sticky situation.

Gathering Financial Documents for Financial Preparation for Divorce

One of the first steps to do is to gather all financial documents, including tax returns, all accounts including savings, checking and investment accounts, pay stubs, property records (home, land, vehicles) credit card statements, debts, and any retirement account statements such as 401K plans, IRAs, or pensions.… View Full Article → “Tips For Financially Preparing for a Divorce”

A Young Lawyer Reflects About Having Grown Up in the Midst of a Contentious Divorce – Constant Arguing is Damaging!

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   August 9th, 2025
A Young Lawyer Reflects About Having Grown Up in the Midst of a Contentious Divorce – Constant Arguing is Damaging!

Reducing the Long-Term Effects of Divorce on Children Through Cooperative Co-Parenting

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:
I frequently receive comments about this blog post. It was written in the spring of 2023 by Shane McDonough, who was at that time a third year law student at the University of Dayton School of Law. Shane did a great job externing for our firm, and is now enjoying a fine legal career in Chicago. Well done Shane, and it was great chatting with you this week!

Understanding the Emotional Effects of Divorce on Children

If there is one positive aspect of my parents’ divorce, it is that I was too young to understand the effects of divorce on children. I was around two and a half years old when my parents were divorced.

Although I have no recollection of the divorce proceedings or the ensuing months following the proceedings, one of my first memories is a supervised visitation meeting with my dad.… View Full Article → “A Young Lawyer Reflects About Having Grown Up in the Midst of a Contentious Divorce – Constant Arguing is Damaging!”

Helping Clients Navigate Passport Rules for Minors

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   August 2nd, 2025
Helping Clients Navigate Passport Rules for Minors

The Attorney’s Cheat Sheet: Passport Rules for Minors Explained

I had to research the passport rules for minors for a client on a recent divorce case. I quickly learned that this process is very detailed and complicated.

Every U.S. citizen child is entitled to a U.S. passport, with no minimum age requirement. This entitlement stems from federal law and the Department of State’s regulations.

  • 8 U.S.C. § 1185(b) requires that U.S. citizens present a valid passport to enter or leave the country.
  • 22 C.F.R. § 51.4(b) confirms there is no age bar on passport issuance.
  • 22 C.F.R. § 51.4(b)(2) specifies that passports issued to applicants under 16 are valid for up to five years only.
Why Passport Rules For Minors Are Important:

Every child can get a U.S. passport, but the law has extra rules for kids under sixteen. These passport rules for minors are in place to help prevent abduction or travel without permission.… View Full Article → “Helping Clients Navigate Passport Rules for Minors”

What to Expect at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   July 26th, 2025
What to Expect at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio

What Happens at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio?

The final dissolution hearing in Ohio is the last step in the legal process of dissolving a marriage. According to Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.64, the final hearing must be scheduled not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days after the filing of the petition for dissolution of marriage. Prior to the final dissolution hearing in Ohio, the Compliance Office will review your documents to ensure they meet the Court’s local rules and include all required language. Often edits are required before the hearing will proceed.

In a dissolution proceeding, agreements have been reached by the parties and the hearing simply puts those agreements into place, making them legally enforceable. The hearing allows the court to confirm that both parties fully understand and accept the terms outlined in the documents. During the hearing, the Judge will review the separation agreement to ensure it is fair and meets Ohio’s legal standards.… View Full Article → “What to Expect at the Final Dissolution Hearing in Ohio”

Have You Found Out that You Are Allergic to Marriage? Some Humorous Quotes about Divorce

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   July 19th, 2025
Have You Found Out that You Are Allergic to Marriage? Some Humorous Quotes about Divorce

Our Favorite Humorous Divorce Quotes from Clients and Friends

Of course, divorcing is not a laughing matter, but humor can be helpful on occasion. I heard a quip attributed to Isla Fisher recently about her divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen that made me recall my blog post several years back of a collection of humorous divorce quotes from celebrities and comedians. So, I thought I would update it with Isla’s comment and repost those quotes.

You can thank my daughter-in-law, Bambi, for that original post if you like it. She and my son own Eclectic Essentials, a boutique now in West Milton. She called me on the phone and said, “A new customer came in the shop and told us he was redecorating his house after his divorce, and he loved our store.” She said the middle-aged man said to her “You know I found out that I am allergic to marriage.”… View Full Article → “Have You Found Out that You Are Allergic to Marriage? Some Humorous Quotes about Divorce”

The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   July 12th, 2025
The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174

What Is Ohio Senate Bill 174?

IIn May 2025, Ohio Senate Bill 174 was introduced by Senators Gavarone and Hicks-Hudson. The bill is currently in the Senate Committee. The proposed legislation would amend several sections of the Ohio Revised Code, adopt new section numbers, and even repeal a few sections regarding the allocation of parenting responsibilities in a parenting plan.

Ohio Senate Bill 174 – Key Parenting Law Changes

The bill, which is over 400 pages long, establishes a state public policy to foster and continue the relationship between the child and each parent when allocating parenting responsibilities and for each parent to have parenting time and participate in decision-making regarding the child, when it is in the child’s best interest. It replaces language to make the law more modern. For example, instead of using the terminology “parenting time” the bill utilizes the term “companionship”.

The bill also eliminates the use of the phrase “parental rights and responsibilities” for a more child-centered phrase of “parenting responsibilities”.… View Full Article → “The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174”

Divorce Without a Lawyer: What Can Go Wrong?

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   July 5th, 2025
Divorce Without a Lawyer: What Can Go Wrong?

What Can Go Wrong in a Divorce Without a Lawyer?

Like most veteran divorce lawyers, I’ve seen many people try to handle a divorce without a lawyer – often to their own detriment. The excuses I frequently hear are:

  1. I’m too busy;
  2. We have only been married for just a short time;
  3. My spouse will treat me fairly;
  4. I don’t need to spend money for a lawyer
  5. I am too depressed to deal with it, and if I ignore it, I can fight it later if necessary; or
  6. My spouse will get everything anyway since I have been a lousy spouse.

Truthfully, all of these “excuses” are poor ones. Scheduling an appointment with an experienced divorce lawyer is not an expensive pro-active investment. Some lawyers even offer a free initial conference.

What will happen if you simply ignore the divorce filing?
  1. The case will be set for a non-contested default hearing;
  2. Your spouse (and his/her divorce lawyer) will submit a Final Decree of Divorce for the Court’s approval;
  3. There will be little or no inquiry by the Judge if the facts are correct or the orders are fair or equitable;
  4. No one will protect or even really consider or care about your rights or interests.
… View Full Article → “Divorce Without a Lawyer: What Can Go Wrong?”
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