Columbus Lawyer Blog

If you’re going through a divorce or custody case in Columbus, Ohio, one of the most common questions we hear is: “If child support starts at the end of the month, do I have to pay for the whole month?” The short answer is: No. In most cases, child support in Ohio is prorated. Here’s how it actually works in Franklin County and the Columbus area. When Does Child Support Start in Columbus, Ohio? In Ohio, child support begins on the effective date listed in your court order fro

If you’re going through a divorce in Columbus, Ohio, and one spouse is a teacher with STRS while the other pays into Social Security, this issue comes up all the time: “Can my spouse get half of my Social Security AND keep their STRS pension?” The short answer: No—but it’s more complicated than most people think. 1. Social Security Is NOT Divided in an Ohio Divorce Under federal law, Social Security benefits cannot be divided like marital property. That means: The court canno

If you’re involved in a divorce case in Columbus, Ohio, there’s a chance your attorney will prepare you for a deposition. One issue that comes up frequently in depositions—especially in contested divorce and custody cases—is something called a “speaking objection.” Understanding this concept can make a real difference in how your case unfolds. What Is a Speaking Objection? A speaking objection happens when a lawyer objects to a question and then says more than necessary, ofte

If you are navigating a divorce in Columbus, Ohio, and one spouse is a police officer or firefighter, the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) account may be one of the most valuable—and often misunderstood—assets in the case. This issue frequently arises with members of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F), which covers Columbus police and firefighters. A common question that arises is: If DROP is funded during the marriage—but based on a pension earned before the ma