Parenting Time and Child Support In Ohio, The New Initiative

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New Parenting Time and Child Support Project in Ohio To Increase Time A Child Spends With Both Parents, Even If They Are Divorced or Separated

parenting timeI have been practicing family law for 34 years. In my opinion the process by which the State of Ohio has gone about establishing child support orders in Juvenile Court without including any parenting or visitation provisions was patently unfair to fathers. I appreciate that taxpayers shouldn’t have to shoulder the burdens of paying welfare or other assistance for children when it is the joint legal responsibility for their mothers and fathers to do so. But is it fair to establish a child support obligation and not include any reciprocal provision for the fathers to have the right to visit their child(ren)? It is no wonder that there are so many uninvolved fathers out there. Psychologists will tell you that a child who has had both parents involved in his/her upbringing stands a much better chance to become a stable healthy adult. That is why I am very excited about this new, long overdue Ohio project!

Ohio’s New PTOC12 Project

This new … Read More... “Parenting Time and Child Support In Ohio, The New Initiative”

Divorce Lawyer: Should I Hire a Male or Female?

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

divorceThere 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 attorney criticizing a wife’s choice not to work outside the home can appear cruel or attacking, but those arguments made by a female attorney could score points in a less offensive manner.

The true answer to this quandary is that there … Read More... “Divorce Lawyer: Should I Hire a Male or Female?”

Paternity Issues: When A Child Is Born During A Separation

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What Is The Dilemma Posed When a Child Born During a Marriage is not “Issue” of the Marriage?

paternityFactual Scenario:

John and Jane Doe have a six-year marriage and no children.  They have come upon difficult times in their marriage.  They are encountering financial difficulties and are literally living from paycheck to paycheck.  John is drinking more than usual to cope with the financial difficulties of the family.  Both are worried about the security of their positions of employment.  They decide to separate to determine if their marriage can be salvaged or if they should terminate their marriage by divorce or dissolution.

Both parties begin to date other persons during their separation from one another.   Jane becomes pregnant with her “boyfriend’s” child.  The boyfriend, Jeff, feels as though he was trapped into an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy and breaks up with Jane.  Jane decides that she wants to try to reconcile with her husband, and they do reconcile and begin living together again as Husband and Wife.  Six months later, a child is born and is named Aiden Doe.  Because Aiden was born during the marriage of … Read More... “Paternity Issues: When A Child Is Born During A Separation”

Tax Planning: Year End Alert for 2012

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Financial Cliff Poses Several Strategies To Consider For End Of Year Tax Planning

tax planningThe end of the year is always a good time to speak with your financial advisor and discuss any potential last minute tax planning that may be appropriate before the new year begins.  This year is extremely unusual due to the tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year as well as federal programs that are to be cut.  Beginning next year, federal income tax rates are set to increase and the capital gains and dividend tax rates are also set to increase.  The federal estate/gift exemption is set to revert back from $5,000,000 to $1,000,000.  This “fiscal cliff”, as it has come to be known, is set to commence January 1st of 2013 unless Congress and the President reach an agreement before then.  If one assumes that it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached before the end of the year, there are a number of strategies to consider.

Tax Planning Considerations

It is unlikely that anyone’s income tax rates will go down in 2013 and very possible that … Read More... “Tax Planning: Year End Alert for 2012”

Divorce: What If You Don’t Really Want One?

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Advice On Contesting A Spouse That Has Chosen To Pursue A Divorce

divorceDick Price is a terrific lawyer!  He has practiced divorce and family law in the Fort Worth, Texas, area since 1976 and has been Board Certified as a Specialist in Family Law since 1984.  He also publishes one of the best family law blogs in the country. In addition to these accomplishments, we are both founding members of the International Academy of Attorneys for Divorce over 50 , established in 2010. He wrote an article that provides sage advice to individuals wondering about contesting or fighting a spouse that has chosen to pursue a divorce. Dick has generously agreed to allow us to repost it. Here it is.

Just like it takes two to tango, it takes two to have a marriage. If one person wants out of a marriage, the other one can’t really prevent a divorce. Both parties have to be committed to keep a marriage together.

It often happens that one spouse decides to seek a divorce before the other spouse is even aware of that possibility. People frequently think through … Read More... “Divorce: What If You Don’t Really Want One?”

Safe Havens Law In Ohio Protects Parents

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But Are Some Mothers And Fathers Still Subject To Criminal Prosecution Under The Safe Havens Law In Ohio?

safe havens lawEarly last month, there were a few news stories focusing on what is often referred to as Ohio’s Safe Havens law.  For instance, follow this link to a story about the law’s recent use in the Miami Valley.

The primary purpose of the statute is to allow mothers and fathers the opportunity to safely surrender a newborn baby to certain types of professionals with absolutely no questions asked. That’s right; parents of a newborn baby may simply drop-off their child with certain individuals, such as a hospital worker, without having to provide their name, the baby’s name, an address, or any other identifying information.  Safe havens laws (also known in some states as “Baby Moses laws”) are statutes in the United States that decriminalize the leaving of unharmed infants with statutorily designated private persons so that the child becomes a ward of the state.

The parents may decide, if they so choose, to provide a medical history for the child, but they are not required to utter a single … Read More... “Safe Havens Law In Ohio Protects Parents”

Thanksgiving Anxiety? Don’t Let Divorce Ruin Your Thanksgiving Day!

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Tips On How To Make Thanksgiving Day Work For You After Divorce

thanksgivingThanksgiving marks the official beginning of the holiday season. Although usually less fraught with anxiety than Christmas, if it is the first “big holiday” since your estrangement from your spouse, you may be dreading the day. It also may be your first holiday without your children.

Going through a divorce can give you the perfect “excuse” to break with tradition and forget your own way of celebrating. Spending the holiday at home by yourself watching videos and eating Chinese take-out (yes, they are open on Thanksgiving) may be just what you need to do!

Or, here is what Evelyn did; she prepared a complete Thanksgiving dinner for herself of her favorite foods. She set the table with linen and candles and put on music she liked. Then she enjoyed the day celebrating by herself.

Divorce gives you the opportunity to listen to what you want and what works for you. It can be a time of loss of traditions, but it also can signal liberation from those traditions, rituals, and obligations that no longer … Read More... “Thanksgiving Anxiety? Don’t Let Divorce Ruin Your Thanksgiving Day!”

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