Ohio courts identify marital and separate property before deciding how to divide it. Equal division of marital property is the statutory starting point, but the court must use an equitable division instead when an equal split would be inequitable. That does not mean each spouse automatically receives half of every asset. The governing framework is …
A useful parenting-time incident log records what was scheduled, what happened, and what followed. Its purpose is to make events understandable and traceable, not to turn every frustrating exchange into a legal accusation. A calendar or spreadsheet can work; this is a suggested organization method, not a required Ohio court form. The log should help …
Mediation is a structured negotiation with a neutral person who helps spouses identify issues and explore agreements. The mediator does not decide the divorce, force either person to accept a settlement, or replace independent legal advice. Mediation can resolve some issues while leaving others for additional negotiation or a court hearing. For a pending case, …
Shared parenting and sole custody describe how parental rights and responsibilities are allocated. They do not, by themselves, tell you how many nights a child spends in each home. In Ohio, shared parenting can divide some or all aspects of physical and legal care under a court-approved plan; it is not an automatic 50/50 calendar. …
An Ohio dissolution requires a joint petition and a complete separation agreement, supported by the financial and family information required by the court. Cases involving children need additional parenting, insurance, and support paperwork. A signed agreement alone does not replace the petition or the court proceeding. Start with the current court packet and the records …
A proposed move does not automatically end an Ohio custody order or authorize a new parenting schedule. Relocation raises several separate questions: what notice must be filed, whether the existing order restricts the move, whether the child’s schedule needs revision, and which court has authority if another state is involved. Review those questions before treating …
Starting a divorce in Montgomery County involves more than submitting a complaint. First confirm Ohio residency and the proper county, choose the correct forms, identify any immediate relief needed, and arrange legally valid service. A nearby courthouse is not necessarily the correct court for every family. This guide covers opening the case. The firm’s Dayton …
When court-ordered parenting time is repeatedly missed, start with the exact order and the reason the time did not occur. An ambiguous holiday provision, an agreed cancellation, and a refusal to follow a clear exchange requirement are different problems. Enforcement asks the court to address noncompliance with an existing order; it does not automatically replace …
Both divorce and dissolution can legally end a marriage in Ohio. The central difference is when the spouses must reach agreement. Dissolution requires a complete agreement submitted with a joint petition; divorce allows one spouse to file while issues remain disputed and lets the court resolve what the parties cannot settle. The right question is …
A raise, layoff, or increase in childcare costs does not automatically rewrite an Ohio child support order. A parent must use the appropriate review or court process, and the existing obligation remains in effect unless it is changed through that process. A review can produce an increase, a decrease, or no change. The first question …