An Interview with Michael Newsom, Fatherhood Coordinator for the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency

By Anne Shale   |   August 30th, 2014

Let us first look at some important statistics published by the National Fatherhood Initiative.

The Effects of Father Absence in the Home of Minor Children:

Children of Father-Absent homes are:

  • Five times more likely to live in poverty.
  • Three times more likely to fail in school.
  • Two times more likely to develop emotional or behavioral problems.
  • Two times more likely to abuse drugs.
  • Two times more likely to be abused and neglected.
  • Two times more likely to become involved in crime.
  • Three times more likely to commit suicide.

Compare the facts with children having Father’s involved in their lives:

  • Better cognitive (“knowing and perceiving”) outcomes.
  • Higher self-esteem and less depression as teenagers.
  • Higher grades, test scores, and overall academic achievement.
  • Lower levels of drug and alcohol use.
  • Higher levels of empathy and other pro-social behavior.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Michael Newsom, an employee of the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency (“CSEA”).  … View Full Article → “An Interview with Michael Newsom, Fatherhood Coordinator for the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency”

Divorce: Sudden Divorce Syndrome in Ohio

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   August 23rd, 2014

Can Sudden Divorce Syndrome Impact You Both Emotionally And Legally? What You Need To Know

Sudden Divorce Syndrome (SDS) refers to a situation that occurs, most often in a man’s life, where his spouse, without any signs, wants a divorce.  Perhaps the most publicized SDS (Sudden Divorce Syndrome) case involves Mr. Martin Paul.  Mr. Paul discusses how he was nearing retirement, wasn’t having any ill feelings towards his wife, and had even been planning numerous vacation and relaxation events for himself and his wife together.  Unbeknownst to Mr. Paul, his wife had other plans.  She blindsided him when she announced that she wanted a divorce.  Following the completion of the divorce Mr. Paul was devastated. He was unable to cope with the loss of his family and the accusations his wife threw his way.  He overdosed multiple times but each time was able to dial 911 in time.  Mr.… View Full Article → “Divorce: Sudden Divorce Syndrome in Ohio”

Divorce: Dividing Property, Assets & Debts in Ohio

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   August 16th, 2014

Property Division in Ohio Can Be Complicated In Marriage Breakup – Hire A Experienced Divorce Lawyer Early

Depending upon the issues in a marriage breakup, dividing assets and debts is usually a preliminary topic of conversation.  This can be a complex and lengthy discussion depending upon the nature of the assets, length of the marriage, and title of the property. The first aspect of analyzing how the court may divide property pertains to whether or not the property was acquired before or after the date of marriage. If the property is separate pre-marital property, that property would remain the property of the initial owner and would not be subject to division. In Ohio, property acquired during the term of the marriage is generally divided “equitably”.  While the courts in Ohio strive to create a fair property division, this may not always lead to a 50/50 equal distribution. But, an equal division is presumed to be the starting point.… View Full Article → “Divorce: Dividing Property, Assets & Debts in Ohio”

School Year Preparations For Child And Parent

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   August 9th, 2014

How To Prepare For A Successful School Experience – 10 Practical Back To School Tips for Parent And Child Transitioning Into A Separation or Divorce

School is right around the corner for many children and their parents.  This time of the year, while always somewhat stressful for children, can bring even more anxious unknowns for a child when their parents are separated.  Regardless of your relationship with your former spouse there are some steps you can take to ensure your children, and their teachers are prepared for the coming year.

The first thing to remember is even if you’re not on good terms with your spouse, you must respect them as a mother and a father.  Being able to set aside marital differences to ensure your child has a smooth and educational start to the school year is essential as a parent.  Below are some steps that every parent should take, regardless of your relationship with each other.… View Full Article → “School Year Preparations For Child And Parent”

Putative Father Registry: Should One Be Established Nationally?

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   July 26th, 2014

National Putative Father Registry Database Could Benefit Father And The Child

This article intends to highlight the rationale for creating a National Putative Father Registry, instead of just allowing each state to independently promulgate their own registry.

What is a Paternity Registry?

A Paternity or Putative Father Registry is a database established to protect children and their mother by allowing putative fathers to list their names. This, in turn, will require that the putative father is notified regarding his legal rights to the child and if any of those rights are in the process of being removed. This also protects unmarried mothers by not forcing them to identify the names of the possible fathers. There are thirty states that currently have paternity registries (Ohio is included in this group). A previous article posted on the Ohio Family Law Blog discussing the Ohio Putative Father Database can be found here.… View Full Article → “Putative Father Registry: Should One Be Established Nationally?”

Child Support: Should You Talk To A CSEA Ombudsman?

By Anne Shale   |   July 19th, 2014

Interview With Montgomery County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency) Ombudsman Anne Bissacco

On May 28, 2014, I had the opportunity to spend time with Anne Bissacco in an interview for this Ohio Family Law Blog Article.  Anne is the Ombudsman and Customer Relations Supervisor for the Child Support Enforcement Agency (“CSEA”) for Montgomery County, Ohio.  What is an “ombudsman”?  Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word as follows: “A public official appointed to investigate citizens’ complaints”.  This is exactly the role that Anne performs.  She listens to complaints and works to find solutions for identified problems.

Questions that I posed to the Ombudsman included the following:

Q. How long have you been working for the Child Support Enforcement Agency?  In September of 2014, Anne will have completed thirty-four (34) years of service with the Agency.  For those of us with longevity with the Court, Anne was hired by Judge Arthur Fisher, a former Juvenile Court Judge, as he wanted a person with an accounting background at the Agency.… View Full Article → “Child Support: Should You Talk To A CSEA Ombudsman?”

DOMA: Same-Sex Marriage Rights Update

By Robert "Chip" Mues   |   July 12th, 2014

A Look At The Same-Sex Marriage Law And The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), One Year Later

A few weeks ago marked the one year anniversary since the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States.  This article aims to analyze changes and new laws that have arisen since this decision, discussing where the states and national laws stand in regards to same-sex marriages.

What was the DOMA ruling?

The decision regarding the DOMA law was released on June 26,2013.  The decision that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act had some implications; however, it did not require that states recognize or allow same sex marriage.  The significant portion of the DOMA ruling allowed for states that recognized same sex marriages at the time to be granted the same federal benefits as heterosexual marries couples. We posted this linked blog article on the Ohio Family Law Blog at the time of that historic decision.  … View Full Article → “DOMA: Same-Sex Marriage Rights Update”

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