Divorce is never an easy decision, and there are always a lot of complications in separating two lives after years of them being so deeply intertwined. The thought of legal separation and everything it entails leaves many women stuck in unhappy marriages for years.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee we are dedicated to helping women navigate divorce in a way that leaves them feeling confident and empowered. Our goal is for you to move forward with your life in the best way possible.
For us, that means fostering a personalized attorney-client relationship. Our Westerville, OH divorce lawyers will take the time to get to know your situation and will keep you updated on your case, will be available to answer any questions, and are even prepared to lend a sympathetic ear when you need it.
We prioritize mediation and negotiation wherever possible, saving you the time money, and stress associated with a lengthy court battle. However, we are equally skilled in litigation and won’t be afraid to fight for you in court if needed.
Remember, how you settle a divorce could affect you for the rest of your life, so it is essential that you seek representation from a divorce lawyer who truly cares about your future. At Woodford Sathappan McGee our personalized and professional approach and our dedication to women allow us to provide unmatched support to our clients.
Contact our Westerville, OH law office today at 380-212-3731 to arrange a free consultation with one of our family law attorneys.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we are committed to providing our clients and their ex-spouses with the opportunity to settle their differences using alternative dispute resolution. Our divorce attorneys are trained mediators and are prepared to handle even the most hotly debated topics.
The court will expect you and your ex-spouse to at least try and come to decisions on your own before they step in. Many of our clients are surprised by what they can achieve with our help, and mediation has many benefits, including:
The plan you and your ex-spouse come up with will still need to be approved by a Judge. Your Westerville divorce lawyer will understand the requirements of legal separation and can help you make sure that your plan is one that a judge is likely to accept.
Of course, we also understand that this is not always possible. Sometimes ex-spouses are not able to come to amicable agreements, or there may have been instances of abuse that prevent you from sitting down together. Whatever the reason, we are skilled in the courtroom and will strive to protect your interests in the best way possible.
Whatever family law issues you are struggling with we can help, including child custody, alimony, and property division, as well as post-divorce issues such as changing your divorce decree and contempt proceedings.
When you seek representation from Woodford Sathappan McGee, you will secure an experienced divorce attorney who can provide legal assistance in all family and domestic relations law, including:
Usually, one parent is the residential parent, and the other is awarded visitation rights. For example, one parent may have responsibility one weekday and every other weekend, while the other has them the rest of the time.
Whoever has the child for the majority of the time, will usually be paid child support by the other parent, unless they earn significantly more than the other parent.
Divorce can be particularly hard on children, which is why our law firm always prioritizes their needs. We do what we can to help you protect them from the divorce process and create as little disruption to their lives as possible.
In Ohio, terms such as joint custody or sole custody have been replaced by “parenting rights and responsibilities”. Parenting rights refer to the right to make decisions on behalf of the child, including educational, religious, and medical decisions. Parenting responsibilities refer to the time the child spends with each parent, and who the primary residential parent will be.
Unless there is strong evidence that one parent negatively affects the child’s well-being, the court will expect you to formulate a plan that keeps both parents heavily involved in the child’s life. If you have concerns about your ex-spouse then you should contact a divorce lawyer quickly so that they can protect your children and help you evidence your claims.
Property division is one of the most important legal issues in any divorce, as it is sure to have a big impact on your future. In Ohio, property is split under equitable distribution, and unlike community property states, the goal is a fair and just division, which is much more complicated than simply splitting everything down the middle.
The first task is to split property into two categories:
Anything you owned prior to marriage is separate property and continues to belong to you after divorce. Inheritance and gifts may also remain separate.
All property that either you or your spouse gained while you were married, is considered marital property. That includes bank accounts, pension, vehicles, investments, real estate, and stocks and bonds.
All marital property is up for division. When dividing property in a just a fair way, you need to consider who is the primary custodian of children, each spouse’s needs and contribution, the length of the marriage, the ability of each party to earn money, and more.
An experienced divorce attorney from Woodford Sathappan McGee can guide you through the legal process, and help you formulate an arrangement using medication if possible.
Spousal support might be essential for you to maintain the same standard of living, and leave your divorce with confidence. Your divorce attorney will make sure that if you have sacrificed work opportunities to look after children or a home, then this is considered in your spousal support arrangement.
In cases involving alimony, the highest-earning spouse will usually be required to pay support to the other. However, it is not always granted, and if you believe you should be owed alimony then it is best to speak to a divorce attorney who can help you secure it. They will also ensure that any hidden assets such as stock bonds, overseas real estate, and businesses are considered when determining the amount you should be owed.
Woodford Sathappan McGee is comprised of experienced attorneys who can provide legal guidance and support on all family law matters, including those that present themselves after divorce.
For most people, once a divorce has been finalized, there is a massive sense of relief. You can finally move forward with your life and now that everything has been decided in a legally binding document, you can find routine and structure in your life.
However, circumstances change, and sometimes the agreements you made no longer work for you or your children. In which case, you cannot simply change the way you do something, you must seek a divorce modification so that you can continue to act within your divorce decree.
Divorce modifications can be challenging, you will need to provide evidence of a substantial change of circumstances and the change must still be in the best interests of any children. Examples include changing needs of the child, relocation, changes in income, illness, or discovery of hidden assets.
A family law attorney can help you file for modification, and provide the evidence you need.
It is incredibly frustrating when an ex-spouse repeatedly fails to meet their obligations to you or your children. You are trying to move on with your life and put your divorce behind you, and these instances can continue to add stress and insecurity.
Fortunately, an experienced divorce attorney can help you file contempt proceedings against them. The judge could ensure compliance by threatening a jail sentence or seizing their assets.
It is important to follow the proper legal protocol and not try to take matters into your own hands. For example, if you deny visitation because they failed to pay child support, then you would also be guilty of contempt, and the court will not look favorably on you.
Our dedication to women’s needs in divorce has led us to help many clients who have suffered domestic violence. We understand how difficult it is to ask for help, and we promise to handle your case with the dedication and care it needs.
We can advise you on how to get to a place of safety and we will file for a protection order so that they cannot come near you or your children. We will also ensure that the court is made aware of your experiences, which could be an essential aspect of your divorce case, especially if there are children involved.
Complex divorces can take up to two years to finalize, in the meantime it is common for couples to need guidance on key issues such as child custody.
Therefore, the court may award temporary orders to place obligations on divorcing spouses until they are served their divorce decree.
Woodford Sathappan McGee is proud to be female-led. Many of the women we work with have a preference for working with a female attorney.
Some women feel more comfortable talking to another woman who understands what they are going through, or they may have had negative experiences with men. Whatever the reason, if you have a preference for a female attorney then we can help.
Divorce proceedings take varying amounts of time, depending on the number of contested issues. If you and your spouse easily agree on everything, then an uncontested divorce could be over in as little as four months.
However, each contested issue takes time to work through, especially if you have to wait for court dates and decisions, therefore, contested divorces can take two years or more.
We understand that you are eager to move forward with your new life, and we will strive to move things along as quickly as possible by using mediation and removing the need for a lot of court involvement.
The cost of divorce also depends on the number of contested issues as well as court costs. We will endeavor to keep costs down by using mediation wherever possible. In your free consultation, we can give you an idea of how much your case will cost so that you can make an informed decision about representation.
Generally, people are responsible for their own attorney fees. However, if one party is significantly more wealthy than the other, then the court may order the to pay their costs.
Woodford Sathappan McGee was established in 2001, by three highly skilled attorneys with a passion for helping women in family law matters. Katie Woodford, Hari Sathappan, and Natalie McGee wanted to dedicate their time to ensuring women can move forward from divorce with confidence.
In doing so, they have created the only law firm serving Westerville, OH that exclusively represents women. This gives them a unique advantage to meet women’s needs and empowers them to live a life full of new opportunities.
If you are looking for a supportive and safe place to talk about your experiences, while also having access to the resources, skills, and experience your case requires then you have come to the right place.
Contact us today at 380-212-3731 to schedule a free consultation.
Quick Links
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.
All information and content available on this site is for general informational purposes only.
© 20222022 Woodford Sathappan McGee. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Law Firm Marketing and SEO by 