Family Law Attorneys In Columbus, OH

Family Law Attorneys in Ohio

A family law issue can disrupt your family, your life, and your plans for the future. It may feel as though everything you know is in turmoil, and the stress can be overwhelming. Many people think that they have to go through the process alone. That is not true. The road ahead may seem rough, but you can navigate it with the help of an experienced Ohio Family Law Attorney.

At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc., our lawyers have more than 100 years of collective experience handling family law matters for people in Columbus, Delaware, Mt. Gilead, and Ohio.

We understand how disruptive a family law conflict can be. We know that your family is your priority. When an issue arises that complicates your family’s dynamic, we will work hard to achieve an outcome that meets your needs. We are always available to discuss your case. Give us a call at 614-444-3036 to make an appointment with a family law specialist.

Family Law Attorney: Personal Attention Every Step Of The Way

In stressful times like these, it is good to know that you are not alone. The last thing you need is to be left wondering what is going to happen next or, worse yet, not knowing how your case is progressing at all. Unfortunately, that is a common complaint at many law firms. We are able to avoid such complaints by working one-on-one with you. You will have a family law specialist by your side to effectively guide you through the complicated family court system.

We can help you with:

Dissolution
Divorce, dissolution and all related matters, including division of property
Legal separation
Shared parenting and child custody, as well as visitation
Child support
Alimony/spousal support
Fathers’ rights
Post-decree modifications
Domestic abuse

Child Support in Ohio

Ohio law dictates that both parents must provide support for their children. “Parent” includes a biological parent, adoptive parent, or a man who admits to being a father in an affidavit filed with the court.

Child support is calculated using a formula established by Ohio law. The formula uses the gross income (earned or unearned) of both parents to determine the amount to be paid.

What Is Considered Gross Income?

Many types of income are included in a gross income calculation for child support payments. Gross income includes:

Wages & salaries
Support received from someone who is not a party to the current calculations
Any tips, bonuses, or commissions
Overtime
Income from pensions, trusts, or trusts
Benefits received from Social Security
Workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits

Types of income that are excluded in the gross income calculation include:

Food stamps or other types of welfare payments.
Supplemental Security Income
Disability pay
Child support for children who were born or adopted before the marriage or after the marriage is dissolved

In addition to gross income, the courts will also consider other factors when calculating child support, such as:

The number of children in the household
The specific needs of the children
Health and education expenses
The parent’s financial circumstances

Calculating gross income to determine child support payments is complicated, so it is important to consult a divorce attorney about your case. Our team of divorce lawyers will guide you through the process.

What Happens If Child Support Is Not Paid?

Or, the parent could just decide not to pay anymore.

If the paying parent has a drop in income due to job loss or demotion, they could request a child support payment modification. They can do this in two ways: either by asking for an administrative hearing with the Ohio Office of Child Support or by filing a motion to modify child support with the court. It is important to note that the family court has more leeway when it comes to modification.

If the parent refuses to follow the child support order, the Child Support Enforcement Agency can seek to enforce the order and collect any past-due payments. Some of these enforcements include:

Suspension of licenses, including a driver’s license
Garnishment of wages
Reporting to various credit bureaus
Ordering increased income withholding to cover past due amounts
Interception of tax refunds, casino, or Ohio lottery winnings
Seizure of funds in banks or credit unions

The Ohio courts can also enforce a child support order, holding the parent in contempt for:

Not complying with the provisions of the support order
Not appearing in court
Failing to obey a subpoena

If the parent still does not comply with the order, they could get fined or even sent to jail or prison.

If you are on either side of these circumstances, contact an Ohio Family Law Attorney at The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.

Child Custody in Ohio

Child custody issues can be extremely complicated and unpleasant, especially when the parents don’t get along. Understanding Ohio child custody laws is important so you know and can protect your rights. Hiring a knowledgeable and dedicated Ohio family law attorney to help you with the process is equally important.

What are different Types of Child Custody in Ohio?

Ohio law stipulates that child custody arrangements are to be in the best interests of the child. The court will attempt to create a shared parenting plan wherever possible, unless continuing contact with any parent wouldn’t be good for the child.

There are two types of custody in Ohio law: legal custody and physical custody.

Physical Custody

This type of custody addresses the parent with whom the child regularly lives. Physical custody can include sole physical custody when the child lives with one parent or joint custody, where the child lives with each parents in their separate houses at different times.

In some cases, one parent is given sole custody because the other parent has a history of abuse, neglect, or possibly a drug or alcohol addiction. If this is not the case, the noncustodial parent can be given visitation rights.

Legal Custody

This type of custody addresses which parent makes important decisions about the child, like decisions about religion, education, and healthcare. The parent with legal custody can make decisions like:

Where the child will attend school
Where will the child live
What religion the child will practice
What doctors the child will go to
What sports or other activities the child will take part in

In joint legal custody, both parents have the right to make crucial decisions for the child. If the parents are combative, joint legal custody can lead to arguments. The parents might agree on a means of arriving at a decision in case of mutual disagreement, and that should be included in the custody agreement.

At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc., a family law specialist can discuss the many options available for custody issues to ensure that your parental rights are protected.

How Is Child Custody in Ohio Determined?

As with other family law issues, child custody can be determined in two ways: the parents can agree on all aspects of custody, or they will let a judge decide. If the parents can’t agree on custody, the Ohio court system will look at many factors in deciding, based on the child’s best interests. Some of these factors include:

The wishes of the parents
The wishes of the children
The health (physical and mental) of the child and the parents
The relationship between the parent, siblings, and other people in their lives
Whether one parent has a history of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
Where each parent lives

These are the main factors judges consider when determining custody issues, but other issues may arise in your particular case.

Grandparent Rights in Ohio Family Disputes

While Grandparents have some visitation and custody rights in all states, each state’s laws differ. Ohio’s laws on the issue dictate the following:

Grandparent Visitation Rights

Ohio courts will, under some circumstances, give grandparents the right to visit their grandchildren. Those circumstances include:

When one of the parents dies
When married parents separate or end their marriage
When the child is born to an unmarried woman

Although not expressly outlined in Ohio law, under the Administrative Code of Ohio, when a child is in temporary custody, an agency like the public children services agency, can arrange for visitation.

Grandparent Custody Rights

Even though Ohio courts prioritize the parents, grandparents can get custody of a grandchild, although it is not an easy task. If a court determines that both parents are unfit (either through neglect or abuse), it could then determine if it is in the best interest of the child to grant custody to the grandparents.

While this action may lead to a strained relationship with the parents, it may be imperative for the grandparents to seek custody of their grandchildren, as their safety is paramount.

If you are a grandparent and want to discuss your visitation or custody rights, an Ohio family law attorney can help.

How We Can Help Your Family

Due to the nature of family law, many cases have the potential to turn into heated courtroom battles. Even the most amicable couples can become entangled in emotionally charged disputes. We are prepared to handle family law matters at trial.

Although we are nationally recognized trial attorneys, we are very proud of our ability to also help our clients reach mutually agreeable settlements through alternative means of dispute resolution. We offer effective mediation services and are trained in collaborative law, which can help our clients save time, energy and costs associated with courtroom trials.

If your case could benefit from mediation or negotiation, we can provide representation in a nonadversarial environment to help you reach the right solution for your family. While mediation is a preferred method of reaching a family law agreement, we can also provide effective representation for situations in which a spouse is uncooperative and an agreement cannot be reached. We are your advocates from start to finish.

How Long Does The Divorce Process Take In Ohio?

Many factors contribute to the length of a divorce. If the spouses do not have children, a divorce typically takes between six and 12 months; if they do have children, a divorce can take as long as two years.

What Are The Consequences Of Violating A Custody Agreement?

There could be severe consequences if a parent violates a custody agreement. The number of prior violations and the nature of the violation can impact the severity of the consequences. Typical consequences for a custody violation can result in fines or jail time. You should try to avoid violating a custody agreement at all times. For assistance with this issue, our child custody attorneys can help.

Working For Your Peace Of Mind

If you need assistance with any type of family law case, you can depend upon our vast knowledge in the area of family law and our experience as trial lawyers and mediators.

We can help provide the peace of mind that you and your family need. If you retain our law firm, we can concentrate on your legal matters while you focus your resources, time and energy on the things that matter most: protecting your children and your interests. We know that issues such as divorce and child custody require a very delicate balance, so we make every effort to go the extra mile for your family by handling your documents, court orders, modifications or other issues efficiently.

If you are ready to learn more about how we can help, contact us today by email or call 614-444-3036. We offer free case evaluations so you have the opportunity to ask questions and get information.