property division

Financial Misconduct in Ohio Divorce: If You Suspect Something, Say Something!

Understanding Financial Misconduct in an Ohio Divorce

Divorce is both an emotional and financial separation. Unfortunately, some spouses try to gain an unfair advantage through financial misconduct in an Ohio divorce, such as hiding assets, wasting marital property, or taking on secret debt before or during the divorce process.

Ohio law recognizes these actions as financial misconduct and allows courts to compensate the innocent spouse when misconduct is proven. The key is identifying the problem early. If something doesn’t seem right, tell your attorney.

What Is Financial Misconduct in an Ohio Divorce?

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.171, financial misconduct occurs when a spouse knowingly dissipates, conceals, destroys, or fails to disclose marital assets. If proven, an Ohio court may award a larger share of the marital estate to the innocent spouse.

Common Examples

Financial misconduct in an Ohio divorce can take many forms, depending on the circumstances and the assets involved:

Hiding bank accounts, investments, or income
Transferring assets to friends or relatives
Gambling or excessive spending before divorce (this topic is covered more in depth here)
Using marital funds to support an extramarital affair
Concealing business income or manipulating financial records
Accumulating significant debt for non-marital purposes

These actions can significantly impact a fair property division.… View Full Article → “Financial Misconduct in Ohio Divorce: If You Suspect Something, Say Something!”

What ‘Over Your Dead Body’ Teaches About Divorce, Resentment, and Moving On

Why Ohio Divorce Advice Focuses on Solutions Instead of Revenge

The dark comedy Over Your Dead Body offers an exaggerated look at what can happen when resentment takes over a marriage. For anyone seeking Ohio divorce advice, the movie offers an important lesson: focus on solutions instead of revenge.

The dark comedy Over Your Dead Body follows a married couple who retreat to a secluded cabin in an attempt to repair their struggling marriage. Unfortunately, both spouses arrive with a secret plan to kill the other. While the movie’s premise is intentionally outrageous, it highlights a problem that family law attorneys see every day: what happens when resentment replaces communication.
Most divorcing spouses are not plotting murder, of course. However, many enter the divorce process carrying years of frustration, anger, and unresolved conflict. By the time the marriage ends, they may view their spouse as an enemy rather than someone with whom they once shared a life.… View Full Article → “What ‘Over Your Dead Body’ Teaches About Divorce, Resentment, and Moving On”

Hot Divorcee Summer: The Rebranding of Divorce in 2026

Ohio Collaborative Dissolution Can Help You Move Forward

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I want to thank Lydia Wagenbach for writing another interesting blog post! Lydia is gaining additional legal experience elsewhere this Summer but has agreed to share a few of her blog posts for our readers. Lydia will be starting her third and final year of law school this Fall at the University of Dayton School of Law. Besides law, Lydia, you have the talent to add a side gig working as a reality television show critic!

If you liked this post, click here to read the one she wrote on January 17, 2026, titled “Ohio Prenuptial Agreements: What Love is Blind Teaches Couples”. Or click here to read “The Secret Lives of Morman Wives. And Domestic Violence: The Devastating Impact on Child Custody Arrangements. Lydia! You are a GREAT writer!

The Predecessor of “Hot Divorcee Summer”: “Hot Girl Summer”

In 2019, American rapper and songwriter Megan Thee Stallion released a song called “Hot Girl Summer.”… View Full Article → “Hot Divorcee Summer: The Rebranding of Divorce in 2026”

Navigating the Unique Challenges of LGBTQ Divorce in Ohio

Why Collaborative Divorce Can Benefit LGBTQ Couples

In recognition of June being Gay Pride month, I believe it is worthwhile to share this blog about some of the unique issues that LGBTQ individuals face when ending a marriage, and also to express why taking a collaborative approach is recommended.

Ending a marriage is never easy, but LGBTQ divorce in Ohio can involve additional legal and emotional complexities that many opposite-sex couples do not face. Although same-sex marriage has been recognized nationwide since Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), many LGBTQ spouses built long-term relationships before they were legally permitted to marry. The gap between lived reality and legal recognition has lasting impacts on how Ohio courts handle property division, spousal support, and parental rights in LGBTQ divorces.

1. Legal Recognition and the Length of Marriage in LGBTQ Divorce in Ohio

One of the most important issues in LGBTQ divorce in Ohio is determining how courts evaluate the length of a marriage when a couple shared a life together before same-sex marriage became legally recognized.… View Full Article → “Navigating the Unique Challenges of LGBTQ Divorce in Ohio”

What are Digital Assets and How Do They Impact My Divorce?

Dividing Digital Assets in Divorce – 50-50 Split?

Fifteen to twenty years ago, digital assets were not a topic of hot debate or even of casual conversation. Fast forward to modern day America and all of that has since changed. As a society, we have experienced a cultural shift that now encourages an increasing trend to move large portions of our lives online. For better or worse, online accounts, social media, and digital currency are here to stay. Seeking the advice of current and knowledgeable family law attorneys will help you navigate the challenges that all divorcing parties face when it comes time to divide their assets, digital or otherwise.

What are Digital Assets?

The term ‘digital assets’ is generally described as anything of value that can be stored or accessed online. More specifically, these include intangible assets that exist in a digital format covering a wide swath of categories.

First and widely recognized are online or “crypto” currencies.… View Full Article → “What are Digital Assets and How Do They Impact My Divorce?”

Blast From The Past: Divorce: Dividing Property, Assets & Debts in Ohio

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

Property Division: Dividing Property, Assets & Debts in Ohio

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I thought this basic primer was worth posting once again especially now that we are at the start of “divorce season”. Division of debts and assets in a divorce is not always a simple or cookie cutter process.”

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.… View Full Article → “Blast From The Past: Divorce: Dividing Property, Assets & Debts in Ohio”