Author: Christopher A. Deal

In the State of Ohio, divorces or dissolutions are the most frequent means of terminating a marriage. The attorneys at Deal & Hooks can help you decide which is the most appropriate route for you. There are a few key differences between a divorce and a dissolution.

A divorce occurs when the husband and wife disagree with each other over one or more issues regarding the termination of the marriage. The most frequently contested issues in a divorce are child custody, child support, spousal support, property distribution and debt distribution. The length of a divorce can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the case. Divorces can also be “non-contested” in certain circumstances. A non-contested divorce applies either when one party does not enter an appearance or dispute the grounds and resolution of the case, or in special circumstances when the party will be unable to show up for Court (i.e. out of the country, military, incarcerated, etc).

A dissolution occurs when both the husband and the wife agree on all of the above mentioned issues regarding their separation. Because a dissolution requires the agreement of the parties, a dissolution can usually be finalized in as little as sixty (60) days. If possible, a dissolution is the preferred method of terminating a marriage as it is the quickest, most efficient and least expensive method.

Ending a marriage can be a difficult and emotionally draining experience for all the parties involved. Let the experienced attorneys at Deal & Hooks protect your interests and assist you through this challenging time.

There are few things that bring as much fear and apprehension as contested, child custody proceedings. This is the case whether the parents are married and the proceedings are happening in Domestic Relations Court or if they are unmarried and the proceedings are taking place in the Juvenile Court. The trial court determining which parent gets custody of the child or children looks at a number of factors. These proceedings can take a significant amount of time. In the meantime, there are short-term considerations that need to be worked out, including where the child will live until the case is decided and what the other parent’s visitation schedule will be.

In resolving the case the client needs to decide whether they wish to have legal custody of the child, seek to enter into a shared parenting arrangement with the other parent, and what type of visitation schedule is desired. These are just a few of the many considerations that need to be made.

An experienced attorney can walk parents through the process. They can explain what factors the court looks to in making the decisions about custody and visitation, and they can help to gather evidence to present the case in the light most favorable to their client. Additionally, an experienced attorney can help facilitate a resolution of the case to the satisfaction of all parties whenever this is possible, saving the client time, money and unnecessary stress about an uncertain outcome.

Our attorneys have experience in resolving these cases and in trying these cases. Mr. Hooks handled a landmark custody case involving international law, as well as Ohio law when the first Hague Petition case was tried in Dayton, Ohio in 2008. His client ended up the victor and the child was allowed to remain with his father here in Ohio rather than be forced to move to Israel. The father was ultimately awarded custody of the minor child. Additionally, both Mr. Hooks and Mr. Deal have experience acting as a Guardian ad Litem in Juvenile Court where they are appointed by the Court to investigate custody disputes and make recommendations to the Court as to what situation may be in the child’s best interest. Both Mr. Deal and Mr. Hooks have tried numerous other cases involving custody disputes and obtained favorable outcomes for their clients in various courts throughout Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley.

Our philosophy with custody proceedings is to discuss the matter thoroughly with our clients and to investigate the matter before giving our recommendation to the client. The client is involved in all aspects of their case. He or she will make the final decision regarding any settlement discussion, and will actively participate in trial strategy.