Ohio Family Law

Dealing with complex issues

The area of family law can be a very emotional time for the parties involved.

In many cases, the client may be dealing with complex issues of divisions of assets and debts along with the issue of the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.

The key focus of any case involving allocation of parental rights and responsibilities is the question of what will be in the best interest of the child.

Ohio Revised Code contains many factors that the Court takes into account when making this determination.  These issues encompass not only whether or not the parties will have shared parenting, but also how health insurance, the dependency exemption, and other issues will be handled.

For parties who do not have health insurance coverage, be aware of the change to the Statutory Ohio Child Support Worksheet, effective July 21, 2008, which provides for cash medical support which is made payable to a party.

Aside from the most important aspect of family law cases, the children and the division of assets and debts can be very complicated.  Failure to review various options can lead to costly financial mistakes.

The client needs to be aware of issues regarding any real estate that the parties may own.  There may be a need to remove one party’s obligation regarding any notes, which are secured by a mortgage on the real estate to sell real estate or deed an interest from one spouse to another.  Refinancing is also sometimes necessary.  Be sure to speak to attorney Michael Bryan to discuss all these issues in detail.

Division of retirement benefits

Some cases also involve division of retirement benefits.  The proper division of retirement benefits is a very complicated aspect of family law.  Some divisions require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order and some do not.  There may be certain types of other orders required for the division of military benefits, state benefits, railroad benefits, and many others.   As with other areas of family law, the division of retirement benefits can also help provide for other survivorship options for the parties and, potentially, health insurance coverage depending upon the facts of the case.

During this time of transition for the client, it is also important to review estate planning.   Be sure to discuss this, as well, with attorney Bryan.  Depending upon the facts and circumstances, it may be appropriate to involve attorney Mark Watson for review of these issues.

You may find attorney Michael T. Bryan on www.linkedin.com, view his professional profile on Facebook, www.facebook.com, or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com.

Family law links

• www.freeerisa.com
• www.jagcnet.army.mil
• www.statepatrol.ohio.gov
• www.jfs.ohio.gov/pfr
• www.ssa.gov
• www.strs.oh.org
• www.dfas.mil
• www.dol.gov
• www.travel.state.gov/family

Call 866-974-0926 (Toll Free) or 740-452-8484 for help with Ohio family law.