Divorce Attorney for Women in Hamilton County, OH

Hamilton County Divorce Lawyer For Women

Walking away from a marriage is never a straightforward decision. You may be concerned about your financial future, the well-being of your children, and the reaction from friends and family. On top of that, you may be feeling depressed, lonely, and angry, and these feelings don’t always simply disappear when a divorce is finalized.

The support you receive throughout the divorce process and the terms of your divorce decree could massively affect your ability to move forward with your life with confidence and security.

At WSM, we understand how important it is that women are supported throughout their divorce so that they can feel empowered to make the best decisions regarding their own lives. We offer a highly personalized approach to the attorney-client relationship, meaning we take time to listen and understand. Our team is prepared to go the distance for your case.

We will minimize conflict wherever possible, using mediation and negotiation to keep things running smoothly. However, we are also prepared to tackle your case using litigation if necessary. We want what is best for you and your family and are committed to your future.

We are the only law firm in Hamilton county to only represent women, and that gives us a clear advantage when it comes to meeting women’s needs and those of their children.

To arrange a free consultation with a Hamilton County divorce attorney, call us now at 380-212-3731.

Legal Issues in a Hamilton County Divorce

If you are facing a legal separation, then it is important you have experienced representation from an attorney who truly cares about your future.

A divorce decree is a legally binding document, and its terms could affect you for the rest of your life. Some important legal issues include:

Parenting Rights and Responsibilities

In Ohio, traditional terms such as sole and joint custody are no longer used. Instead, parents are awarded “parenting rights and responsibilities”.

• Parental Rights – Parental rights give parents the right to make decisions on the child’s behalf. That could include decisions about medical care, religious practice, and education. Usually, both parents will keep parental rights unless there is concern over the behavior of one parent.
• Parental Responsibilities – Parental responsibilities cover the time the child spends with each parent. Often the child will live with the residential parent, and the other will be granted visitation rights. There will be a schedule that must be adhered to, such as every other weekend and one weekday. The court prefers both parents to remain heavily involved in the child’s life unless there is an obvious reason one parent shouldn’t be.

Child Support

Usually, the parent who earns the most will be required to pay child support to the other, unless they themselves are the residential parent. The amount awarded varies on a case-by-case basis, but it should be enough to cover basic necessities. You may also be able to seek support for childcare and medical expenses.

Property Division

How your property is divided after divorce could have a big impact on your future, so it is important to have support from an attorney who will strive to protect your interests. First, the property will be divided into separate and marital property:

• Separate Property – Anything that either party owned before they were married will continue to belong to each individual after the marriage ends. Inheritance and gifts are also considered separate property.
• Marital Property – Anything that either party bought while they were married should be divided equitably, including vehicles, investments, pensions, bank accounts, and real estate. Ohio is an equitable distribution state, so the property must be split in a just and fair way. That doesn’t mean a 50/50 split. Instead, factors such as each spouse’s needs and their contribution, and who is the residential parent, will all be considered.

An experienced Hamilton County divorce lawyer will help ensure that property is split in a just and fair way that protects your future. They will also ensure that any hidden assets are taken into consideration.

Spousal Support

Spousal support or alimony is an amount paid by your ex-spouse to ensure that you can continue to maintain the same standard of living that you did during your marriage.

Spousal support is not always awarded, but for some women, it is essential for them to feel confident about their future.

We have worked with many women who made sacrifices in their careers to look after children and their homes. This should be considered when determining alimony and property division, and we will make sure that it is.

Domestic Violence

If your spouse has been abusive to you, then you should get in touch as soon as possible. We understand how difficult it is to make those first steps, but we can advise you on what to do next and how to keep you and your children safe.

We can also help you file a protection order to keep them away from you. If mediation can not be used, we are prepared to fight your case in court, ensuring that they know the extent of your experiences. If you believe that you should have sole rights to see and look after your children, we will help you evidence your claims.

Family Law Matters Post Divorce in Hamilton County, OH

Hopefully, once your divorce is over, you will be able to move forward with your life. However, if issues do arise, then a trusted attorney at WSM has the skills and resources necessary to help.

Contempt Proceedings

When one party continually fails to meet the obligations laid out in their divorce decree, it can be incredibly stressful for the other party, especially when they are relying on things like child support or spousal support to get by.

Child support and alimony do not go away simply because someone does not pay. What you are owed will build up and gain interest, and your ex-spouse will need to pay it, eventually.

An attorney can help you file a contempt proceeding with the court and they will seize assets, garnish their wages and even threaten a jail sentence if they refuse to comply.

Divorce Modification

A divorce decree is legally binding. However, life is unpredictable, and sometimes the stipulations of your decree no longer work for you or your children. When this happens, you cannot stop following your obligations. Instead, you need to file for a divorce modification.

In order to seek a divorce modification, you will need to prove that there has been a substantial or material change and that any modifications are in the best interests of the child. Justifications include illness, job loss, changing needs of the child, or the discovery of hidden assets.

Why You Should Choose WSM

We are the only law firm in Hamilton County, OH, to only represent women. We believe that this gives us a unique advantage. We are particularly well suited to meet the needs of our women clients and our goal is to empower them to move forward with their lives with confidence after divorce.

We train our divorce lawyers to prioritize mediation and negotiation wherever possible. We are prepared to take on even the most complex and high-conflict divorce cases and many of our clients are surprised by what they accomplish with our help.

The benefits of settling your difference with the help of a trained mediator and family law attorney at WSM include:

• Fosters Amicable Relationships – We understand you may not feel like being friends with your ex-partner right now. However, we will create a space where you can each say your piece and be heard. This will help you come to amicable agreements. If you have children, then your ex-spouse may always be in both your lives, and it is always better for everyone if you can foster a healthy relationship.
• Protects Children – Divorce is hard on children but when a child’s parents can stay amicable, it can protect them from a lot of conflicts and make their lives easier.
• Saves Time and Money – When you and your spouse cannot agree, you will rely heavily on court involvement. This could mean several hearings, making the process more expensive and time-consuming. When you come to an arrangement with the help of an attorney, it is more likely that the judge approves it the first time around. Your attorney will understand how to plan your agreement so that it is in line with family law requirements.
• Personalized Plan – If the judge makes decisions on your behalf, they may be decisions that suit neither you nor your ex-spouse. When you create your own arrangements, you can make sure they are what’s best for you and your family.
• We Are Prepared to Use Litigation – Our attorneys are as skilled in the courtroom as they are at the negotiation table. We are prepared to fight for your best interests in court where necessary and we never back down from a tough case.

Hamilton County Divorce FAQ

Can I refuse visitation if my ex-spouse misses child support payments in Ohio?

Child support or alimony and visitation rights are two separate issues and you cannot prevent your ex-spouse from seeing your child as a punishment. If you do, then you could also be guilty of contempt. Instead, speak with an attorney so that the proper legal procedures can be followed.

Who has custody of the children while we wait for our divorce to be finalized?

While you are waiting for family law matters to be decided, you may need guidance on issues such as child custody and who remains in the family home.

In that case, you can seek temporary orders which will place obligations on you and your ex-spouse until your divorce is finalized. The judge may also issue them independently if they think it is necessary.

How much does a divorce cost in Ohio?

The cost of a divorce depends on the number of contested issues. When you seek a free consultation with a member of our team, we will assess your case and let you know how much we think it could cost.

Contact WSM Today

The law firm of WSM was established in 2001 by three attorneys, united in a shared desire to help women navigate divorce in a more confident manner.

Natalie McGee, Katie Woodford, and Hari Sathappan’s dedication to women allows them to provide a safe place for them to share their experiences.

To arrange a free consultation with a skilled Hamilton County Divorce Attorney, contact 380-212-3731.