Posts by Jamie Anderson
What is Required to Change Child Custody?
If your current court order is no longer working, you may be able to change your child custody arrangement. When one party has sole legal custody there must be a substantial change in circumstances with the legal custodian’s living situation or conduct before the court would consider modifying the existing child custody arrangement. In a…
Read MoreVisitation Rights – Answers to Common Questions
In Ohio, each county has a “standard parenting time” schedule to determine visitation rights. This schedule is used as the starting point and provides the parties with an idea of what the court would do with visitation absent evidence overcoming the presumption. Visitation can only be determined by the courts. A court may order a parenting…
Read MoreAllocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Custody in Ohio)
Allocations of parental rights and responsibilities formerly referred to as “custody” are made in all divorces, dissolutions and legal separation where there are minor children that are not the subject of another court’s orders. Allocations are made consistent with the requirements and guidelines set forth in R.C. 3109.04. Specifically, the court will consider what is…
Read MoreAn Abrupt Ending to the Fairytale: Annulment
First Comes Love, then a Fast Marriage, then….Annulment? Legal Separation and Annulment are two seldom used legal procedures for the termination of a marriage, yet I receive numerous calls and questions from people about the topic. (The process of legal separation is discussed in another article.) Annulment is rarely used because it can only be used…
Read MoreHow Long Will My Ohio Divorce Take?
Duration of Divorce: All Depends on Cooperation You can get married in a minute, but ending the marriage will take a little longer. How long will your process last? – The best way to answer this question is to ask how much cooperation can you expect from your ex-spouse? A high level of cooperation and trust will…
Read MoreDivorce Property Division: Marital v. Gift
Think That Was Gift? – In Divorce, Not Unless it’s in Writing Prior to divorce couples often give each other gifts for various occasions and celebrations, or for no reason at all, but what happens to all those gifts when the couple splits-up is not so understood. In Ohio, as a general rule, any property…
Read MoreDivorce and Children: Why is my child so stressed?
What about Your Divorce is Causing Your Child’s Stress: First Look in the Mirror When you are in the divorce process, in a failing marriage, or experiencing other hard times in life, you are likely very stressed. Parents often try to hide life’s harsh realities from their children, keeping the scary, ugly facts to themselves. Parents…
Read MoreNew Boyfriends and Girlfriends: The Legal Cost to You
New Boyfriends and Girlfriends: Stay Out or Pay Out! When it comes to custody, support, divorce and dissolution, new boyfriends and girlfriends only complicate and impede the legal process. Many new significant others are ready to come to your defense and help you show your ex the big mistake they made, but this can cost you in…
Read MoreFree Legal Advice: Don't Listen to It!
DANGER, DANGER! – Free legal advice can cost you a lot! When you have problems in your life you likely talk it out with your friends and family. However, for legal advice you should only be seeking the advice of a licensed attorney in Ohio. Attorneys often offer free legal advice about divorce and other legal…
Read MoreAm I entitled to Spousal Support?
Formerly known as “alimony,” spousal support is payments to an ex-spouse which can be ordered by the Court or agreed to by the parties as part of a settlement. ORC 3105.18 sets forth that “spousal support” means any payment or payments to be made to a spouse or former spouse, that is both for sustenance…
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