Columbus, Ohio Family Law Attorneys Taking On All Your Concerns
Ending a marriage or relationship is difficult under any circumstances. One of the best things you can do during this dark hour is work with Columbus family law attorneys who understand what you’re going through and have the necessary legal and people skills to guide you on the path to a fresh start in life.
At Sowald Sowald Anderson Hawley & Johnson, in Columbus, that is what our lawyers do. Our divorce and family law clients choose us based on our reputation for comprehensive family law services, specifically our focus on stable futures for both parents and their children.
The Knowledge And Experience You Need For Family Law Issues In Ohio
Our breadth of knowledge and experience is the result of over 200 combined years of legal work. You can turn to us for a range of family law issues, including:
- Separation and divorce: We guide you through the legal process of ending a marriage or trying out a separation period.
- Child support: We work to ensure your child has the financial support they need and deserve.
- Child custody: Our lawyers protect your right to parent your child and spend time with them on ordinary days and special occasions.
- Spousal support/alimony: Our firm helps both dependent and supporting spouses determine fair financial support.
- Post-decree modifications: When you need to update a court order, we can help you.
- Grandparents’ rights: Sometimes, grandparents have to enforce their rights to visit their grandchildren.
- Domestic violence: In an abusive situation, we will get you the protection you need.
- Same-sex family law: We enforce the rights of LGBTQ individuals and couples in Ohio.
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Regardless of your specific family law needs, we can help you navigate complicated processes, and our attorneys focus on securing the best solution possible.
Child Custody Is An Important Part Of Family Law In Ohio
Establishing child custody is a primary concern of most parents who are divorcing. In Ohio, each married parent has the right to visitation at the minimum unless it jeopardizes the child’s safety. However, unmarried fathers need to establish paternity before seeking custody arrangements, as the state automatically grants an unmarried mother full custody.
If the father has established his rights, judges prefer to award joint legal and physical custody when possible and do not give preference to the mother. Custody arrangements can also have an impact on child support. Generally, the more time a child spends in a parent’s custody, the less child support the parent has to pay.
The Complexities Of Asset Division
Divorce creates uncertainty for couples ending their marriage. One of the more complex areas where disagreements occur involves asset distribution. Particularly contentious is the status of the family home and whether to keep it for one spouse or sell it.
Other marital property may range from bank and retirement accounts to personal possessions. Couples who are mostly in agreement can create checklists of the property they want and the assets they can do without, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts and personal possessions.
A significant factor in property division also involves the financial contributions of both spouses during the marriage, either monetary or staying home to care for children.
Finding The Right Family Law Attorneys
Hiring the right lawyer can make a big difference in the progress and outcome of your case. Below are our attorneys’ recommendations about choosing a family law attorney.
Do you have to hire the first family lawyer you meet with?
Of course not! You have the right to research and consult as many attorneys as you wish until you find the one that seems the best fit for you. In fact, we encourage it.
How can you pick a family law attorney?
There is no shortage of lawyers in Columbus and central Ohio. When choosing an attorney, you should consider some factors such as:
- Case outcomes
- Honors and awards
- Their reputation
- How many years of experience do they have
- Whether they can litigate a case
If you can find an attorney who has these attributes as well as a friendly, personable team, then you have probably found the right match.
What are the responsibilities of a family lawyer?
Family law attorneys have many tasks that they perform for their clients. Some of the most important include:
- Explaining your rights
- Explaining your options
- Providing realistic expectations of the outcomes
- Advocating for your best interests and the interests of your family
- Communicating with the other party’s attorneys
- Responding to emails, calls and texts promptly
The services that you expect from your lawyer will depend largely on the details of your unique situation. When you sit down with an attorney in a consultation, have an honest discussion about how they view their responsibilities to you.
Is it a good idea to hire an attorney even for an uncontested divorce?
Yes, hiring an attorney for an uncontested divorce can be beneficial. Even if both parties agree on the terms, an attorney can help ensure that all legal documents are correctly completed and filed. They can also provide advice on any issues you might not have considered, helping to prevent future disputes or legal complications. Our firm offers representation that is limited in scope, essentially providing only the assistance you need.
What are the advantages of working with a law firm that focuses exclusively on family law?
When you hire a firm (like ours) that is solely focused on family law, you can be sure you are working with attorneys who have extensive experience in this area. In addition to in-depth legal knowledge, they are going to be familiar with the local court systems and judges, which can be advantageous. Additionally, they can provide more tailored advice and strategies for your specific family law issues.
Should you search for a family law attorney who litigates or one who seeks negotiated resolutions?
The choice depends on your situation and preferences. If you believe that an amicable resolution is possible, an attorney who focuses on negotiation might be best. They can help you reach a settlement without going to court, which can save time and money. If your case is complex or contentious, an attorney with litigation experience can effectively represent your interests in court.
Thankfully, this isn’t a choice you need to make when you hire Sowald Sowald Anderson Hawley & Johnson. Our lawyers have the versatility and diversity of experience to provide effective representation whether in court or at the negotiation table. To save time, money and stress, they will help you explore alternatives to litigation when possible. But if your case needs to go to trial, you can be confident in their skills and experience.
What can you expect from working with our family law attorneys?
In addition to providing the duties mentioned above, you can also expect outstanding client service. We believe in keeping matters as civil as we can but do not hesitate to be aggressive when the situation calls for it. Our team will listen attentively to your side of the story, allowing us to develop a strategy and deliver a solution. When working with you, we take the time to build a relationship so that we can help you with today’s challenges as well as your long-term goals.
Contact Our Experienced Columbus-Based Family Lawyers
Even in a difficult situation, your Ohio family law attorney can help you. We provide information and resources to help our clients understand their situation and to reassure them that there can be a happy life for them and their children on the other side. To set up your initial consultation, call 380-217-3322 or email us using this online form.
