For many years now, Ohio has been a “no-fault” divorce state. What does that mean, in a practical sense? In order to terminate a marriage, neither spouse has to prove that one or the other is responsible or “at fault” for the demise of the marital relationship. The...
Content By Janet Stewart Scalley
What to Expect at a Final Hearing in a Domestic Relations Lawsuit
You’ve done all the hard work in your divorce or dissolution action. You’ve exchanged any requisite documents and other discovery, made a full and complete disclosure of all your assets, liabilities and income, and completed any requisite court forms. You’ve...
REMINDER: Review Your Beneficiary Designations to Avoid Unintended Consequences
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article involving a scenario that—while significant and possibly worst-case—may be more common than you may think. Specifically, the article describes a scenario under which Margaret Sjostedt, the former girlfriend of a...
Child Support in Ohio: What Are the Special Circumstances Which May Impact the Child Support Calculation? Part 3
What is Child Support, and How Much Can I Expect to Pay or Receive? One of the most common questions posed by parents of minor children who are separated – or who are about to separate – is: what is child support and how much can I expect to pay or receive in child...
Child Support in Ohio: Key Factors in Child Support Calculations – Part 2
One of the most common questions posed by parents of minor children who are separated – or who are about to separate – is the following: what is child support and how much can I expect to pay or receive in child support from my co-parent? This question and the concern...
Child Support in Ohio: Understanding What It Is and How It’s Calculated – Part 1
One of the most common questions posed by parents of minor children who are separated—or who are about to separate—is: What is child support, and how much can I expect to pay or receive in child support from my co-parent? This question, and the concern that underlies...
School’s Out: An Overview of Common Summer Break Parenting Time Schedules
With the end of the school year on the horizon – if not, for some, already here – Ohio families with school-aged children are starting to shift into summer mode. But, for a parent who is separated from his or her spouse or is otherwise navigating a co-parenting...
Legal Separation: What is it and Why Does it Matter?
Before terminating a marriage, many married couples elect to physically separate. In this context, physical separation often includes moving out of a shared residence, winding up joint bank and debt accounts, and deciding how certain financial responsibilities will be...
Exclusive Use of the Marital Residence During a Divorce: What Divorcing Spouses Need to Know
Navigating the intricacies of divorce proceedings can be daunting, particularly when it comes to matters like exclusive use of the marital residence. This aspect holds significant importance for divorcing spouses, as it involves temporary possession of the shared home...
What You Need to Know About Prenuptial Agreements: Part 2 – Considerations Before Entering into a Prenuptial Agreement
Prenuptial agreements (or “Prenups” as they tend to be referred to colloquially) tend to have an unfair reputation as a societal matter. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for critics of prenuptial agreements to view them as the most pessimistic way to start a marriage, in...