Relationship Issues: The Reasons People Fall Out of Love In Marriage

By Anne Shale   |   November 7th, 2015

Numerous Factors Lead To The Demise Of A Marriage Or Relationship According to Author

Will The Dynamics of A Relationship Doom A Marriage? A Review of an Article Published by Healthy Peoples

I was intrigued by an article entitled “Twelve Biggest Reasons People Fall Out of Love” and determined to read/review the article and provide my input to the reasons cited by the author.

  1. The “honeymoon phase” of a romantic relationship is characterized by excitement, lust, sexual intimacy, and a general feeling that “this is it”! However, over time……this “honeymoon phase” does come to an end. The parties may think that if the excitement and lust have gone….is the relationship over? Has it ended? There must be a realization by the parties that the “love” has not evaporated or left….but, that the “honeymoon phase” of the relationship has run its course and is over. This does not mean that the marriage is doomed!!
… View Full Article → “Relationship Issues: The Reasons People Fall Out of Love In Marriage”

Estate Planning Tips for Same-Sex Couples

By Joseph E. Balmer   |   October 31st, 2015

Statutory Protections In Estate Planning Now Available To Surviving Spouses Of Same-Sex Marriages

Now that the institution of marriage has been sanctioned for same-sex couples, estate planning options and benefits that have not been available before can now be utilized to protect and provide for spouses in same-sex marriages.

Surviving spouses have always been provided certain statutory rights to a deceased spouse’s estate so that they are not completely disinherited.  A surviving spouse is entitled to a “family allowance,” usually the first $40,000 of the deceased spouse’s estate.  The surviving spouse is also entitled to the first two automobiles of the deceased spouse, unless specifically bequeathed to someone else.  The surviving spouse may live in the marital residence rent-free for one year.  The surviving spouse has the option to purchase the marital residence.  The surviving spouse can elect to take against the will.  These are just some of the statutory protections now available to surviving spouses of same-sex marriages.… View Full Article → “Estate Planning Tips for Same-Sex Couples”

Domestic Violence Within Military Families Probable Says Study

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   October 24th, 2015

Recent Study Reveals That Combat Assignments Increase the Probability of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse By Military Members

A recent study published by The Review of Economics and Statistics concludes that combat assignments increase the probability of intimate partner domestic violence and child abuse by active-duty military members.  Resul Cesur of the University of Connecticut Finance Department and Joseph J. Sabia of San Diego State University Department of Economics, claim to have produced the first study to consider the effect of war service on domestic violence.  While they admit that several studies exist which explore the effect of war and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on violent crime in general, they assert that none exist which focus specifically domestic violence. To access the complete study click here.

In their research, the authors looked at the effect of assigning servicemen of identical rank and occupation to combat deployments vs. non-combat deployments. The results indicated that active-duty members who served in combat zones had an increased probability of subsequent domestic violence, as compared to those who were assigned to non-combat areas.  … View Full Article → “Domestic Violence Within Military Families Probable Says Study”

Fathers: 5 Ways American Fatherhood is Changing

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   October 17th, 2015

Pew Research Statistical Findings Show Fathers Taking Active Role In Home Life

Kim Parker, Director of Social Trends Research at Pew Research Center, published a very interesting article on June 15, 2015, in their “Fact Tank” about the changing role of fatherhood in today’s society. Some of the statistical findings were surprising in my mind.

“Today, fathers who live with their children are taking a more active role  in caring for them and helping out around the house. And the ranks of stay-at-home fathers  and single fathers have grown significantly in recent decades. At the same time, more and more children are growing up without a father in the home ”, Parker said.

Here are 5 of the findings she made from reviewing the Pew Research Center reports:

  1. Fewer dads are their family’s sole breadwinner. Among married couples with children under age 18, dual-income households are now the dominant arrangement (60%).
… View Full Article → “Fathers: 5 Ways American Fatherhood is Changing”

Child Support and Visitation: Should One Be Dependent Upon The Other?

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   October 10th, 2015

Should Child Support Payments And Visitation Rights Remain Independent Of Each Other In Ohio?

Recent New York Ruling Says Child Support And Visitation Are Linked And Dependent Upon One Another

As a general rule, the payment of child support and visitation are two completely, separate issues in the eyes of the Court.  Visitation rights are granted where it is in the “best interest of the child” to have such in place.  They are not dependent upon the amount or payment of child support.  Likewise, child support is determined according to the Child Support Guidelines and has very little to do with visitation.  As a result, paying child support does not entitle a parent to visitation.  And, if a parent has court-ordered visitation, it cannot be withheld because they have failed to pay their child support.   However, in a recent case out of New York, the Appeals Court there held that support payments should have been suspended where the child was not required to abide by the ordered visitation schedule.… View Full Article → “Child Support and Visitation: Should One Be Dependent Upon The Other?”

Divorce Book Review: DIVORCE: How to Tell The Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Breaking the News Without Breaking Their Hearts

By Anne Shale   |   October 3rd, 2015

Author Vikki Stark Conducts Over 100 Interviews With Children For New Book About Separation And Divorce

Vikki Stark, a divorce recovery specialist and a family therapist for over thirty (30) years, published this book in 2015. Her stated purpose in writing the book was to make the “telling” to the children of the news that a family was going to be separating as non-traumatic as possible. To research this subject area, the author conducted over one hundred (100) interviews with children and with adults who were children when their parents separated and divorced. She also interviewed parents who had already done the “telling” to their children to learn about their positive and negative experiences in doing so. Finally, she read and researched many articles written by other professionals in the same field.

The main points from Chapter 1, A Bridge to Your Next Life, are as follows:

  1. You cannot avoid the anger or sorrow that your children may feel; but you can learn skills to reduce the trauma.
… View Full Article → “Divorce Book Review: DIVORCE: How to Tell The Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Breaking the News Without Breaking Their Hearts”

Divorce: College Costs – A Ticking Time Bomb?

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   September 19th, 2015

Parents Facing A Divorce Grapple With College Costs For Their Child

On September 5th, we posted a blog article about the necessity to be clear and precise in your divorce or dissolution documents if you chose to include a college expense provision.  Truthfully, since my two sons have already graduated from college, I have not paid close attention to these escalating costs.

I recently saw a very interesting article in the online version of the Dayton Daily News addressing the increasing cost of a college education throughout Ohio and particularly the increasing costs of the room and board portion.  That article also referred to a very interesting chart from the U.S. Department of Education (which I have a link to below) showing a breakdown of the present room, board and tuition costs at most Ohio college and universities.  Those costs are staggering! Nearly every college or university in Ohio saw an increase in room and board rates of nearly 30% between 2002 and 2015.… View Full Article → “Divorce: College Costs – A Ticking Time Bomb?”

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