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

If you are navigating a divorce in Columbus and one spouse has served in the military, you may have encountered the term “DFAS account.” The short answer is yes—what is commonly referred to as a DFAS account typically pertains to a military pension. However, dividing this asset during a divorce—particularly in Franklin County or the surrounding Central Ohio courts—is not as straightforward as splitting a 401(k). Federal regulations overlay Ohio law, and if the division is not

Let’s set the scene: You’re engaged. Life is great. You’re picking out venues, arguing about seating charts, and pretending your future in-laws are totally normal. Then someone says the word: prenup. Cue the record scratch. But here’s the reality—getting a prenuptial agreement in Columbus, Ohio isn’t planning for divorce. It’s planning for clarity. And if done correctly, it can save you from turning your future divorce into a full-blown legal horror s tory. If done incorrectl

So you’ve made the decision to file for divorce. You’ve done the hard part. And now… your spouse has suddenly become very hard to find. They don’t answer calls. They don’t respond to texts. They definitely aren’t signing for certified mail. Shocking. Don’t worry — this is extremely common, and more importantly, it does not stop your divorce case from moving forward. Let’s walk through how service actually works in Ohio (without putting you to sleep). Step 1: Certified Mail —

In many cases, the new house becomes mixed property, meaning it contains both separate and marital components. For example: Source of Funds Classification $200,000 from premarital home Separate property $50,000 from marital savings Marital property Mortgage payments made during the marriage Marital contribution In this situation, the spouse who contributed the premarital funds may receive a separate property credit, while the remaining equity may be considered marital and div

If you are going through a divorce in Columbus, Ohio and you or your spouse owns a timeshare, one important question often comes up: What is it actually worth? Many couples purchased timeshares for $15,000, $25,000, or even more during the marriage. But in Franklin County divorce cases, the real issue is not what you paid — it is what the timeshare is worth today on the open market. The answer often surprises people. Are Timeshares Marital Property in Ohio? Under Ohio law, mo

Business ownership adds a layer of complexity to any divorce. One of the most common questions I hear in Columbus divorce cases is: “If I started my business before we got married, is it protected?” The answer is: possibly — but not automatically. Here ’s how Ohio courts analyze this issue. 1. The Starting Point: Separate Property Under Ohio law, property acquired before the marriage is presumed to be separate property. So if one spouse formed a business prior to the wedding