We speak to a lot of women who are more comfortable being represented by another woman. Although female attorneys are still the minority in the United States, women offer a level of understanding and dedication that is hard to rival, especially in family law matters.
When you seek representation from a female attorney at Woodford Sathappan McGee, they will understand what you are going through. Many of our attorneys are mothers who have gone through the divorce process themselves and are committed to helping women feel confident in their next steps after divorce.
If you are looking for a female attorney, then you have come to the right place. Our Columbus divorce lawyers at Woodford Sathappan McGee solely represent women, and the team is proud to be female-led.
Our dedication to women in family law matters means that we are highly attuned to your needs, and understand how to secure the best life possible for you after divorce.
If you have a preference to work with a female attorney, then you have come to the right place. Woodford Sathappan Mcgee exclusively represents women, making us highly attuned to your needs in family law matters.
We understand the unique circumstances women face, such as a deep concern for children’s wellbeing, financial security, or even the reaction from friends and family following a life decision. It can feel overwhelming and isolating.
Fortunately, our divorce attorneys are prepared to dedicate themselves to your case. We prioritize mediation wherever possible and minimize court involvement, saving you time, money, and stress. We are also equally skilled in the courtroom and are prepared to represent you if necessary.
Remember, the outcome of your divorce could affect both you and your children for the rest of your lives, so it is important that you have high-quality representation that can offer the strongest possible chance of securing a favorable outcome.
Contact Woodford Sathappan McGee today to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced family law attorneys in Columbus, OH, at 380-212-3731.
Court involvement is costly, time-consuming, and stressful, and it can also have an impact on children who are already having to adjust to a new way of living.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee we strive to streamline the divorce process as much as possible through our skills in mediation and negotiation. When you seek representation from us your experienced divorce lawyer will settle as much as possible at the negotiation table.
You may not be on good terms with your ex-spouse, and that’s ok. Many people are surprised by how far they can come with professional help. Divorce mediation can help you and your ex stay amicable, it will save you time and money and allows you to come to personalized arrangements that meet your needs, and those of your children.
In collaborative divorce cases, you will agree to resolve all issues outside of court. Any plan you agree on will need court approval, and your divorce attorney can help make sure that your agreement is one that the judge overseeing your case is likely to accept without issue.
Unfortunately, amicable agreements are not always possible, which is why our attorneys are as skilled in the courtroom as they are out. We are prepared to fight for you in court, and represent you on any issue that you and your ex-spouse can’t come to an agreement on, whether there is one lingering issue or many.
Family law cases usually involve a lot of emotion and unforeseen complexities. It is rare for ex-spouses to come to easy agreements, especially on issues such as when child custody is involved.
It is important to be aware that your divorce decree is legally binding, and while it can be modified in some circumstances, it isn’t easy. Therefore, it is important that you take great care in your divorce proceedings, and that you have representation from a legal professional who has your best interests at heart.
The Columbus divorce attorneys at Woodford Sathappan McGee can guide you in all family law matters, including:
Ohio is an equitable distribution state in which property must be divided in a ‘just and fair way’. Equitable distribution does not always mean a 50/50 split, instead, the judge will take many factors into account, such as who cares for children, each spouse’s contribution and needs, length of the marriage, and the earning capacity of each spouse.
All property is first split into two categories, separate and marital. Any property either spouse owned before marriage is separate property and continues to belong to each individual after divorce. Other separate property includes gifts and inheritance.
Marital property includes everything either spouse acquired while they were married. That includes real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and investments. All of this is up for division and should be split in a fair and just way.
Your Columbus divorce lawyer will help you determine how to split property and submit your plan to court for approval.
Spousal support or alimony can be incredibly important for your financial security post-divorce. You deserve to maintain the same lifestyle and standard of living, without financial burden.
Many women sacrifice work opportunities to care for children or a home, and this should be considered in the divorce decree. Our goal is for you to feel confident and secure about your future.
When divorcing spouses have children, child custody is often one of the most contested issues. The law states that decisions must be made with children’s best issues at heart, and of course, that is what the parents want as well. However, figuring out exactly what that means can be a challenge.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, our top priority is always the well-being of the children, we will aim to create as little disruption to their life as possible while helping you and your ex-spouse formulate a parenting plan that works for you, and one which is likely to be approved by the court.
Ohio is different from most other states, and traditional terms such as joint or sole custody are no longer used, instead, your parenting plan will determine the ‘Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities.’
Parental rights and responsibilities will cover the time the child spends with each parent, where the child’s primary residence will be, and whether one or both parents will retain the rights to make decisions on behalf of the child such as medical and educational decisions.
If you have concerns about the safety of your child with your ex-spouse, then it is essential you seek professional help quickly. We can help you evidence your claims, and limit their access to your child.
If you are the primary caregiver for your children, and your ex-spouse earns more, then you have a right to child support. Both parents have a legal responsibility to financially contribute to the upbringing of their children.
Once a divorce is over, and everything is in place, it is a major relief for everyone involved. Hopefully, you will have worked through your issues and you can move forward with your new life.
However, sometimes circumstances change or issues arise, and the agreement you made longer works for you or your family. If this is the case then you may need help from one of our family lawyers who can help you seek a modification or a divorce proceeding.
Divorce decrees are legally binding and you and your ex-spouse must adhere to them. If your ex-spouse repeatedly fails to meet their obligations such as not paying child support, or failing to care for their children, then you should hold them accountable.
A Columbus female divorce lawyer will help you file a contempt proceeding, this may result in seizure of their assets or even a jail sentence.
It is essential that you go through the proper legal means to hold your ex-spouse accountable, you should not take matters into your own hands by limiting visitation or any other means. Visitation and child support are separate issues, and you could get into trouble if you do not comply with the conditions laid out in your divorce decree.
Another common post-divorce issue is when circumstances change and your divorce decree no longer meets your needs. For example, perhaps you want to relocate, or your child’s financial needs have changed due to further education or illness.
Again, you must continue to act within your divorce decree guidelines. However, you can file for a ‘Motion for Modification’, and change any aspect of your decree. It isn’t easy to have your divorce decree changed, but if you can show that there has been a ‘substantial change’, and that the modification is in the best interests of children if you have any, then the judge should agree.
Your divorce lawyer will help you file a motion for modification and will help you provide the evidence required.
Unfortunately, we are working with an increasing number of women who have suffered domestic violence, and for many of those women, a skilled female attorney is an absolute must.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we will act quickly, while providing emotional support and due care, and dedication to your case.
It can be extremely difficult to reach out for help, but the family law attorney dedicated to your case can help ensure that the court understands the extent of your experiences. This is especially important in matters involving child custody.
If you are in immediate danger, or to get to a place of safety, contact the Ohio Domestic Violence Network at 1-800-934-9840.
It is essential that you feel confident in your representation. Most of our clients have never had the need for an attorney before, which can make choosing a divorce attorney feel daunting.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we believe that we are the right people for your case. Our dedication to the attorney-client relationship means that we will take the time to get to know your circumstances, answer your questions and keep you informed.
You need a female attorney who you feel comfortable talking to, but who also has the resources, skills, and experience necessary to support you. We have everything it takes to handle even the most complex cases.
But when every law firm claims to be the best, how can you be sure?
To help you, we have compiled a quick list of questions that you can ask a potential divorce attorney. We always recommend seeking law firms that offer free consultations. That way you can get a feel for your representation, and seek answers to your questions before you commit.
As well as getting a feel for how comfortable you feel speaking to your potential attorney, these questions can help you determine what level of experience they have. They should also be able to quickly determine what challenges your case might present and be able to provide a rough timeline.
Your divorce attorney should be willing to try mediation first and be highly skilled in negotiation. This process saves you time, money, and stress, but only when you have the right support. While they won’t be available 24/7, they should have a manageable caseload and be able to respond promptly, and be willing to provide support when you need it.
We are proud to be a family law firm that is female-led. Our team is comprised of exceptional women, with unique skills and experience that will serve to guide you through your divorce case in the best way possible.
Here is a quick introduction to two of our female attorneys in Columbus, OH.
Attorney Katie Woodford attended Capital University Law School, where she participated in Law Review and served on the associate board.
She has been dedicated to domestic relations throughout her entire career and has a wealth of experience in supporting women in high conflict and high asset divorce and custody matters. She is highly skilled in mediation and litigation and has the experience necessary to navigate even the most emotional and high-stress circumstances.
Attorney Natalie McGee attended The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and worked for the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office, where she was immersed in courtroom dynamics.
Natalie is highly skilled in handling divorces involving children. She has a passion for defending women in criminal matters and serving as a Marsy’s Law Attorney to victims of domestic violence.
The cost of a divorce depends on the number of contested issues and the complexity of your case. We will always strive to keep costs down for our clients by minimizing court involvement.
We will discuss your case in your free consultation and work out roughly how much it should cost so that you can make an informed choice. It is also worth being aware of the fact that if your ex-spouse earns significantly more than you, then the court may order them to cover your attorney fees.
Even with skilled representation, divorce decrees can take a while to finalize, sometimes months, or even as long as two years if there are lots of issues that need addressing. Mediation does quicken things along by minimizing the need to wait for court dates.
However, some issues cannot wait, such as where any children live, or who stays in the marital home. Therefore you can apply for temporary orders which will place obligations on you and your ex-spouse until your divorce decree is finalized.
If you have suffered abuse at the hands of your ex-spouse, then you can also apply for a temporary order to prevent them from seeing or speaking to you. This can be of great benefit, as it gives you the time and space to assess your needs and those of your children.
In the United States, courts have a legal obligation to make decisions without gender bias, which means that mothers are not looked at more favorably than fathers.
It can be frustrating if you are trying to seek a divorce, and your ex-spouse does not agree to it. However, as long as you can provide proper grounds for divorce you can still file for divorce. Your divorce attorney can help you to keep everything moving forward swiftly.
As a grandparent, you can fight for custody and visitation rights in Ohio, however, unlike parents, you do not have constitutional rights to custody. You will need to prove that it is in the child’s best interest for you to be the primary caregiver. For example, if the child’s parents are abusive, or abusing substances, then you may be able to evidence that they are not able to care for them.
If you are a grandmother hoping for custody of your grandchildren, then contact us as soon as possible. We will help you gather the proper evidence, and keep the children safe.
Woodford Sathappan McGee was started in 2001, by three highly skilled attorneys who had a passion for helping women in family law matters and wanted to dedicate all of their time to doing just that.
Katie Woodford, Hari Sathappan, and Natalie McGee formed the only law firm in the Columbus, OH area that solely represents women.
If you are looking for a female attorney who is dedicated to your needs and has the skills and experience necessary to handle the complexities of your case, then look no further.
We are collaborative divorce professionals and armed with negotiation and litigation skills, we are prepared to handle whatever your case throws at us.
Contact us today at 380-212-3731 to schedule a free consultation.
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