Visitation and Unpaid Support

Can you deny Visitation to your ex-spouse as a punishment for failing to make timely child support payments?  The answer is unequivocally NO!  Failure to pay support never justifies cutting off visitation.  Also, if you are denied visitation, you cannot stop paying support either.  The duties are separate in nature.  If you are denied visitation,…

Read More

Divorce vs. Dissolution: When Divorce Should Be Your Choice

When to Choose Divorce (Instead of Dissolution) Dissolution can be a great way to terminate a marriage, while keeping costs low, but it is not recommended in all situations.  Divorce should be the process pursued instead of divorce in the following situations: A party needs immediate relief from the court; A party is absent from…

Read More

Temporary Orders and Divorce

After the formal filing of the divorce “Complaint,” you may pursue restraining orders to prohibit your spouse from taking actions that may dissipate the marital assets.   If appropriate, you may also be able to go to court to ask for reasonable support during the pendency of the divorce proceedings.  Typically, the court will restrain both…

Read More

Allocation 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 More

Curbside Pick-up: Not a Good Idea for Divorce

DIVORCE: Kicking your spouse to the curb – make sure you don’t put their stuff there. Often in movies or commercials when couples split-up, the wife starts throwing all the husband’s stuff into the yard, or puts it in the trash.  While this is a funny scene in a commercial or movie, in reality it…

Read More

Ohio Divorce Attorney: What Do You Do?

A few years ago the only place that an attorney could advertise was the phone book.  Most attorneys chose to make the most of the ad space by publishing a “panel” of services they provided.  This list of services is going the way of the horse whip, but you still see it occasionally on web…

Read More

Divorce in Springfield and Clark County (by Ohio Divorce Attorney)

Divorce and Dissolution proceedings involving residents of Springfield and Clark County are heard in the Clark County Common Please Court, Domestic Relations Division.  The Clark County Domestic Relations Court is located at 31 N. Limestone Street (lower level), in downtown Springfield.  The Domestic Relations Court is located in its own building which is north of the…

Read More

10 Commandments of Divorce Court

1. Thou shalt not bring your child to divorce court. The ultimate interest of the divorce court is the best interest of the child.  Unless it is requested by the divorce court, bringing your child to the court with you is not in the best interest of the child.  Children do not need to be…

Read More

Child Support Directly to My Ex-Spouse?

In my practice, I receive a lot of questions involving child support daily.  One of the most common questions I receive is as follows:  “Should I pay support directly to my spouse?” A similar question: “Why should I be in arrears when I give her (meaning the ex-spouse or partner) a lot of extra money for the children?” …

Read More