Robert L. Mues, Author at Ohio Family Law Blog

Can I Demand Proof Where my Ex Spends the Child Support I Pay?

Can A Parent Request Accounting Of The Child Support Expenses?

This is a frequent question that I hear as a Dayton, Ohio, divorce lawyer. In Ohio, the short answer is “no” as long as the child’s basic needs are being taken care of. There are a few states (such as Washington) which allow for a parent to request an accounting of the child support expenditures.

In most states there is a common misconception that child support must be spent on things that ONLY benefit the child only. In Ohio, child support may be used to pay for a very broad range of expenses including:

Food
Clothing
Mortgage/rent of the home where the child lives
Utility bills, internet, cell phones
Medical expenses
Transportation and vehicle costs (including gas, auto insurance and car repairs)
Childcare/babysitters/camp costs/sports/extracurricular activities
School fees and supplies
Entertainment for the child
Any miscellaneous expenses that contribute to the general welfare of the child.

Does the Custodial Parent need to Account for the Support Money?

This is a corollary question to the one above. The general answer in Ohio is “no”. Nonetheless, if this issue is raised, it would be prudent to look back over the past month or … Read More... “Can I Demand Proof Where my Ex Spends the Child Support I Pay?”

LEGAL ALERT: New Ohio Minimum Age to Marry is 18 Absent Court Order

PUBLISHERS NOTE: We have blogged about this situation twice before. First, on May 12, 2018, in Teen Marriages and the Push for Reform in Ohio and then on January 12, 2019, shortly after Ohio Governor John Kasich signed the new law abolishing underage marriage in most all cases. Click here to read that post. That new law just became effective on April 8, 2019. We have kept our readers up-to-date on this because underage marriage and human trafficking are important issues in society. So, here is the latest update…

Minimum Age To Marry In Ohio Is Now 18. Underage Marriage Permitted Only With Juvenile Court Consent

Children under age 17 will no longer be permitted to marry in Ohio as a new child marriage law took effect on April 8, 2019. This issue was investigated by the Dayton Daily News in 2017 when it found that 4,443 girls age 17 or younger were married in Ohio between 2000 and 2015, including 59 who were 15 and younger. State records show three girls age 14 were married. This included a Montgomery County case in which a Juvenile Judge approved a marriage between a 14 year old pregnant girl and a … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: New Ohio Minimum Age to Marry is 18 Absent Court Order”

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn more and watch singer, Jana Kramer explain the ‘Hot Chocolate Talk.’

Singer Jana Kramer’s Hot Chocolate Talk Campaign To Protect Children From Child Abuse

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Child abuse is horrible! We all need to be more aware of the signs of child abuse and its extent is truly alarming. Below is an excellent press release and video of Jana Kramer from April 2, 2019 discussing child abuse, which they have encouraged me to repost. Locally, in the Dayton area, please consider making a gift to the CARE House Child Advocacy Center which supports more than a thousand kids annually! The work that they do is AWESOME! Here is a link to their website: http://thecarehouse.org/how-to-help/donate/

In support of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, Jana Kramer, country music singer and actor, has partnered with Committee for Children (CFC), the global leader in research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, to educate parents about their role in child sexual abuse prevention. The Hot Chocolate Talk campaign is designed to get families talking about child sexual abuse, which research shows can protect children against future harm.

“We are thrilled Jana is joining us for our annual Hot Chocolate Talk campaign. Jana is an accomplished woman but maybe most importantly, a mother and great role … Read More... “April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn more and watch singer, Jana Kramer explain the ‘Hot Chocolate Talk.’”

Blast From The Past: Divorce Lawyer: Should I Hire a Male or Female?

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE: Here is one of my favorite divorce lawyer posts from back on January 5, 2013! The advice rings as true now as it did then…We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool and enjoy a few oldie but goodies!

How Gender Of Your Attorney Will Have Very Little Impact On The Final Outcome Of Your Divorce

There are many factors to consider when selecting your divorce or custody lawyer. One of the common concerns is whether or not a divorce litigant will be better off having a male or female divorce lawyer representing him or her.

Some people think that if they want an “aggressive” divorce lawyer, they need a male; but if they want someone who is “compassionate,” they should hire a female divorce lawyer. Should the lawyer be a feisty “take no prisoners” divorce lawyer or does it make sense to have a “nice person” approach in the courtroom? I’ve heard some men say that they would prefer to have a woman represent them because an aggressive female attorney can soften the harshness of husband’s arguments against his wife. For example, a male … Read More... “Blast From The Past: Divorce Lawyer: Should I Hire a Male or Female?”

The Times of the Year When Most Divorces Occur

Do Major Holidays Impact Your Marriage And Lead To Divorce?

Weather, and holidays affect our moods, but do divorce rates spike with the seasons? According to researchers in the state of Washington, the peak months for divorce filings occur in March and August, which is the period following summer and winter holidays.

Many couples tend to steer away from filing for divorce around Christmas or Hanukah, and also around summer vacation time. These are typically special times for families and couples going through difficult times are hopeful that holiday/vacation time is a time to help mend a troubled relationship and to have a new start. People often approach the holidays or a vacation trip with high expectations, but these times can be very stressful and emotionally charged. When the occasion doesn’t live up to their expectations, the unhappiness festers.

According to the research done by University of Washington sociologists the two peak months for divorce filings are March and August. Many couples, at least with children, opt for August as it is after summer vacation and before the kids head back to school.

March Is The Time For Divorce According To Study

But why March? The holidays are well … Read More... “The Times of the Year When Most Divorces Occur”

Divorce: The Important Role Schools Can Play for Your Kids

School Can Be Safe Place For Children Going Through Divorce Or Separation

When a couple divorces, the children are obviously affected by the change in living circumstances. All children react differently. Some may experience severe emotional responses. Others may be somewhat relieved as there is not that constant tension between their parents. In all cases however, there will a period of adjustment. Your child’s emotional and social well-being are at stake and how they are able to cope can have an impact on their learning. Parents should not overlook their children’s teachers and how the school can help make the transition and adjustment easier. Often when going through a divorce parents are overwhelmed and stressed and providing the support for their children without any help can be difficult.

During a separation and a divorce it is good to maintain as normal of a routine at home, but no matter how hard you try to do that, it is just not the same as it was before. When your children go off to school, it is often conceived by them as their safe place. It offers a routine and a constant that isn’t changing. Be sure to be open with … Read More... “Divorce: The Important Role Schools Can Play for Your Kids”

New Child Support Guidelines in Ohio Take Effect on March 28, 2019

These Are The Changes To The New Law You Should Know About. But Does It Effect Child Support And Parenting Time?

On July 17, 2018, we first posted a LEGAL ALERT on the Ohio Family Law Blog about the passage of H.B. 366 which repealed the present Ohio child support schedule. Our current law has been in place for 25 years! Here is the link to that article.

The new law, which becomes effective on March 28, 2019, is quite complicated and a substantial change in many areas. Like many Ohio divorce lawyers, I am learning its implications and training staff with these changes. Our firm has installed the new specialized computer software needed to properly calculate child support. I have even compared a few scenarios with the schedules anyone can find online. I can tell you that those free schedules do NOT include certain adjustments that can dramatically affect the outcome.

If, after looking at the summary I have attached, you have questions I would strongly suggest that you contact an experienced family law attorney where your Order was issued to recalculate the support. This new law does not automatically change any existing support Orders whether they … Read More... “New Child Support Guidelines in Ohio Take Effect on March 28, 2019”

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