Central Ohio Family Legal Blog

Certain factors are wise to consider prior to divorce

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

Many individuals in Ohio and elsewhere may be trying to decide when to finally call it quits in their marriages. One party may want to go ahead and get divorced, whereas the other party may want to try to make the marriage work first. Here is a look at a couple of essential factors to take into consideration before getting a divorce.

For starters, people may want to share with their spouses how unhappy they are before they simply serve them divorce papers. The reality is that married individuals simply cannot read the other person's mind. If unfulfilled spouses are open about their feelings, the other party may be able to address the issues causing their unhappiness, thus keeping the marriage intact. Otherwise, if the other party is not interested in tackling these issues, this is a sign that divorce may be necessary.

Divorce prep could lead to smooth marital breakup process

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Sometimes the end of a marriage is unavoidable no matter how hard two spouses work to resolve their issues. However, it is possible to have a relatively smooth divorce proceeding. Here are a couple of tips that may make it easier for individuals in Ohio.

First, it is important for people going through divorce to analyze their finances carefully. This is critical because both marital assets and marital debts must be divided in an equitable manner, meaning that the distribution must be fair though it does not necessarily have to be equal. A divorce that starts out relatively amicable and straightforward can quickly become complicated if issues with the finances arise.

Marriage and divorce impacted by social media

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

Social media is playing an increasing role in people's lives, and marriage is no exception. In fact, according to researchers, social media is contributing to divorce, and it is also making divorce a bit more complicated compared with years past. Here is a look at how social media is impacting marital unions and marital dissolution cases across the United States, including in Ohio.

Researchers recently said that social media is negatively impacting marriages by creating unhealthy distractions. The more time that people spend on social media, the less likely they are to focus on activities that could help their marriages to remain strong. In some marriages, smart phone use has actually become a major source of conflict.

Putting children first when you get divorced

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Deciding to get a divorce is not just something that changes your life, or even your spouse's life. As a parent, you know well that it is going to impact the kids. There is no way around that. This is something that is out of their control, but it still drastically alters home life as they know it.

That does not mean you should stay together for the kids, as some people try to do. For instance, you never want to stay in an abusive relationship just because you think splitting up may be tough on the children. It's far better to give them a safe, loving home where they don't have to worry about those things. And remember that abuse does not have to be physical. It could be emotional or financial.

High-earning couples may divorce to save money

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Married couples in Ohio often break up because they cannot reconcile their differences. For instance, they may split up because they are at odds about the right approach to spending their household dollars. Still, in some situations, the desire to save money may actually be the reason why two people choose to get a divorce.

According to a new act in 2018, spouses who earn a high household income and file their tax returns jointly can expect to pay more in taxes compared with lower earners. Specifically, those who earn over $612,000 annually fall under the 37% income tax bracket. For this reason, high-earning couples may consider getting divorced to save money at tax time.

Tips may help to make divorce process easier to manage

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Getting divorced can be an emotional and a financial challenge. This is true whether the parties have kids or not, and whether they have just a few assets or a great deal of shared property. However, a couple of tips may help to make the divorce process easier to negotiate in Ohio.

First, it is a good idea for those going through divorce proceedings to focus only on what they can control. For example, they cannot dictate how their future exes will behave, but they can control their responses to this behavior. A good rule of thumb for parents in these circumstances is to do what is best for the children. This makes it easier to make the right decision when dealing with issues like child custody, parenting time and child support.

Finances important to evaluate during divorce

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

Going through the marital dissolution process can no doubt be an emotional roller coaster. However, it can also be a financial one that has long-term consequences. This is why evaluating one's finances is an essential step when embarking on the process of divorce in Ohio.

After deciding to get divorced, individuals would be wise to develop budgets because this can provide them with a strong overview of their finances. A budget should ideally list a divorcing individual's expenses as well as his or her income. Although the income will not include the future ex-spouse's earnings, it may include any alimony or child support that he or she expects to receive following the marital breakup. In addition, it is important to include as part of the expenses any items that the divorcing individual will be fully responsible for after the divorce, like the mortgage or car loan.

Steps can make divorce transition smoother

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Dissolving a marriage is among the most challenging events that people in Ohio and elsewhere may experience. The reality, though, is that about 50% of first marriages end in divorce, with second or third marriages having even higher divorce rates. Fortunately, divorcing individuals can take certain steps to make the marital breakup process smoother for themselves.

For starters, those going through divorce might benefit from depending on their loved ones to help them through the marital dissolution process. Ideally, family members and friends should be willing to listen to them and offer them the emotional support and advice they need. When divorcing individuals do not reach out to loved ones for support, they tend to internalize their emotions, and unfortunately, this can take a toll on them both emotionally and physically.

Dividing debt in divorce: The choices you make matter

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

During a divorce, you already know that you'll have to divide your assets. However, one thing some people overlook is the fact that they may also need to divide certain debts.

Debts come in many forms, from mortgages to credit-card bills. How you split these debts may vary widely from how other couples choose to do so, since they are so specific to your situation. However, Ohio is an equitable distribution state, which is something you have to keep in mind.

Tips to help deal with emotions of divorce

On behalf of The Suriano Law Firm LLC posted in divorce and dissolution on Friday, September 6, 2019.

It's normal to have conflicting emotions when an Ohio marriage comes to an end. On the one hand, it's natural to feel excited at the thought of finally breaking away from a relationship that has run its course. On the other hand, it's also natural to be concerned about the marital breakup process. Some tips, however, might help to navigate divorce proceedings with confidence.

For starters, those going through divorce would be wise to take care of themselves both physically and mentally. Practicing healthy habits will enable a person to more effectively deal with the ups and downs that come with dealing with negotiation sessions or having emotional talks with a future ex. It's a good time to take up something like meditation or yoga, focus on eating nutritiously and get enough sleep.