Although it is not what you planned, legally ending a marriage may be necessary for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all parties involved. While going through a divorce or dissolution, there will be multiple issues to handle, such as temporary orders, dividing property, establishing custody and visitation with children, or determining support obligations. You may find yourself back in court six months later or five years later if a party fails to follow the established court order or that order is no longer feasible due to changed circumstances. You may be considering a prenuptial agreement before your marriage. These are complex contracts that will require disclosures and documents to be signed before marriage starts.

Our family law attorneys know Ohio’s laws and are familiar with local domestic relation courts and their practices. No matter your needs, calling the Arenstein & Andersen, Co., LPA team should be one of your first steps. We will fight to get you equitable terms to protect your family’s future and ensure your safety.

Schedule your consultation by calling (614) 602-6550 or using our online contact form.

Divorce

Divorce may be a dreaded event for a married couple or one of the parties, but it also can provide peace of mind for an unhappy marriage or if someone feels like they are in an abusive relationship. Whether it is apparent one partner wants to end the union, or if it is a surprise, you should consider turning to an experienced divorce attorney in Columbus, Ohio, to represent you.

In Ohio, there are specific grounds for divorce listed by state law, including incompatibility, adultery, extreme cruelty, or gross “neglect of duty.” Contested divorces can be messy, as both parties often clash over terms of the separation. A family law attorney can walk you through the proper steps to split assets and debts, determine custody and parenting time schedules and establish support obligations if appropriate.

Overall, we will help you explore all available options before moving forward. Our team has attorneys with various skills that can assist with any related issues you may have throughout your life, including addressing business interests, resolving tax controversies, or even updating and modifying your estate planning following a divorce.

Dissolution or Uncontested Divorce

While ending a legal union may be a bittersweet necessity for the parties’ overall wellbeing, exploring a dissolution or uncontested divorce may be the route for you. As the names imply, unlike a contested divorce, these options for legally separating end as a result of you and your spouse reaching an agreement on all terms.

You may be granted an uncontested divorce if your spouse does not respond in time after you have filed for divorce. A dissolution is an agreement by both parties to end the marriage.

Both options will require more steps to finalize the separation, so having an experienced Columbus, Ohio, family law attorney can speed the process along and help prevent future issues.

Child Custody & Visitation

Establishing custody, whether shared parenting or sole custody and parenting time schedule can be complicated whether you are married, or you are not married. While Ohio courts work to find solutions in the children’s best interests, some parents may have concerns related to the parenting of their soon-to-be ex-partner.

Having a family law attorney to explain your rights as a parent and secure what is best for your children can make the process smooth. There can be numerous issues to explore that are challenging to navigate without the assistance of an attorney, such issues related to the mental health of a party or substance abuse. Many factors can impact how the court will rule on the various issues.

Our team has experience dealing with difficult parenting scenarios, such as addressing parents struggling with substance abuse or mental illness, addressing children with special needs, or dealing with parental alienation. When securing custody is a matter of physical and mental safety, we will fight aggressively to protect you and your children.

Post-Decree Matters or Modifications

Disagreements are sometimes inevitable even after a divorce or custody dispute is finalized. If these issues cannot be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or other resolution options, they may lead to litigation. For example, if one party refuses to adhere to the court ordered parenting time schedule, does not pay child support as ordered, does not pay spousal support, or otherwise violates the decree, the other party may need to take them to court to have the order enforced.

If circumstances change, both parties may agree to change the terms of the divorce decree or the custody agreement to address the changes. For instance, if one party’s earning ability significantly increases or decreases, the parents may file a post-decree motion to update the child support accordingly. A post-decree motion can also be requested to modify the parenting time schedule as the children grow older, a parent moves, or if the parents’ work schedules change.

Having a family law attorney to guide you through the process will help protect your rights. Trusting the Arenstein & Andersen, Co. LPA team with your post-decree motion can ensure changes to protect your interests.

Adoption

Whether you are seeking to expand your family or solidify your current family unit, Ohio allows several methods of adoption, provided you are an adult and can meet certain requirements. You might be looking to adopt an infant, your stepchild, or you might want to adopt a teenager in the foster care system. And adoptive parents must be represented by and attorney or an adoption agency to file a Petition for Adoption.

With the help of a Columbus family law attorney to walk you through the adoption application process, you will have their expertise to call on whenever you have questions or may face a snag in qualifying for adoption. The Arenstein & Andersen, Co., LPA team is ready to help you find out if you are able to adopt and who you are able to adopt. They can be with you every step of the way, including making sure the adjustment to adoption goes well once it is finalized.

Prenuptial Agreements

Although it is a widespread belief that having an arrangement to divide property established before a union even starts could be setting the marriage up for failure, many experts agree couples should consider an antenuptial, or prenuptial, agreement.

Prenuptial agreements set the terms for dividing property and assets should a legal separation in a marriage occur, or if the marriage ends as a result of a spouse passing away. There are many reasons why couples anticipating a marriage seek to enter into such an agreement. It could be because there is significant difference in income between the spouses or disparity in assets owned by a spouse. Often prenuptials agreements are also considered because at least one of the parties has children from a prior relationship.

Having an attorney to walk you through the process of drafting and signing a prenup is important. Arenstein & Andersen, Co., LPA will answer your questions and help establish equitable terms for creating any antenuptial agreement.

Civil Protection Orders/Domestic Protection Order

Ohio has laws designed to protect victims of abuse or people facing imminent threats of violence. A judge may grant a protective order but having someone who can help you apply for one or defend you against the issuance of a protection order is crucial.

Some orders restrict the restrained party’s movements and others can keep them from having any interaction with the protected party and possibly their household members. If an order has been granted against you, you should know the penalties for violating that order.

Contact the office of Arenstein & Andersen, Co., LPA today for your answers about domestic or civil protection orders.

Meet the team with a different approach

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G. Gregory Arenstein, Esq., LLM

Shareholder

Greg started Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA with Nicholas I. Andersen in March 2010. Greg has many years of legal and tax experience working with clients on a wide array of business, estate planning, and tax issues. Greg is an experienced problem solver with the ability to assist clients with their most complex needs and the ability to communicate with his clients in plain English. Practice areas include: Estate Planning, Business Law, Taxation, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Administration, Legal Services for Healthcare Professionals

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Nicholas I. Andersen, Esq., MBA

Shareholder

Nick started Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA with G. Gregory Arenstein in March 2010. Nick has extensive experience in civil litigation, business, estate planning, real estate, oil & gas, including pipelines, and representing taxpayers in collection actions. Nick’s practice also includes an expansive and diverse clientele of healthcare professionals, including physicians, dentists, and veterinarians. He believes in being available to his clients whenever they are in need. Practice areas include: Legal Services for Healthcare Professionals, Civil Litigation, Business Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Oil and Gas Law, Taxation

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Eric R. McLoughlin, Esq.

Shareholder

Eric has many years of experience representing clients in probate and trust administration, business, and estate planning matters. He has a strong passion for helping people with their legal matters, and strives to provide all his clients with the personalized service they deserve. Practice areas include: Probate and Trust Administration, Business Law, Estate Planning

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Jessica L. Sohner, Esq. (née Samuel)

Shareholder

Jessica has years of experience representing clients in family and domestic matters, including divorce, dissolution, and post-decree matters. She believes in providing quality representation for clients while maintaining sensitivity to their individualized needs during stressful litigation. Practice areas include: Family Law, Civil Litigation, Oil and Gas Law

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Erin L. Sanford, Esq.

Shareholder

Erin joined Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA as a Shareholder in February 2022. Erin has over 12 years of experience working in all areas of family law. Erin understands that when you are navigating through the court system, whether it is a divorce, child custody matter, the need for a guardian of a loved one, or the loss of a loved one it is a stressful time and she is there to be by her clients’ side.

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Ryan L. DeYoung, Esq.

Senior Associate

Ryan is a Senior Associate at Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA. Ryan joined the firm in August 2020. Ryan’s practice is devoted to assisting clients in civil litigation matters. Prior to joining Arenstein & Andersen, his practice focused on the representation of individuals and small business debtors as an attorney with a small bankruptcy law firm for almost 7 years. In addition to his practice of bankruptcy law, Ryan also has prior experience in the litigation of housing and employment related claims, including claims brought under the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Civil Rights Act, as well as been an adjunct lecturer in The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. 

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James W. Park, Esq.

Associate

Jim and Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA formed an “of counsel” relationship in 2015 to assist the firm’s clients in the areas of bankruptcy and creditor protection. Jim has been working in personal bankruptcy since 2005. He began practicing as an attorney solely in the area of personal bankruptcy in 2007, with a focus mainly in Chapters 7 and 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Jim understands that financial distress is common today and strives to provide clients with the respect and understanding they deserve while helping them through their difficult times. In December of 2021, Jim became a full-time associate attorney at the firm.

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Robert E. Putman, Esq.

Associate

Robert joined Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA as a full-time associate attorney in October 2021. He is eager to provide clients with legal assistance in the areas of estate planning, business law, and general civil matters. He believes every client matter is unique and deserves careful professional attention to ensure the client’s interests are protected. 

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Ashley Garrison, Esq.

Associate

Ashley is an Associate Attorney with Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA. She focuses her practice in family law matters, including divorce, dissolution, child custody, parentage, child support, spousal support, prenuptial agreements, and post-decree matters.

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William K. Root, Esq., MBA

Of Counsel

Bill joined Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA in April 2024 as Of Counsel. Bill has extensive experience in estate planning, business planning, business organizations, and planning for families with special needs.

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Joseph A. Downing, Esq.

Of Counsel

Joe has extensive experience representing clients in estate planning, probate, business, real estate, elder law, and Medicaid planning. Joe prides himself on his ability to build long-term, trusting relationships with clients, and enjoys assisting them with their short and long-term legal needs. Joe and his law firm, Joseph A. Downing Co., L.P.A., are of counsel with our firm. Practice areas include: Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Business Law, Real Estate

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Christen M. Shore, Esq.

Of Counsel

As a former adjunct professor at Capital University Law School, Christen has been practicing intellectual property law for over 20 years. She has represented multi-national corporations, universities, small business, and individuals in the protection of their intellectual property – including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Christen and her law firm, Christen M. Shore Co., L.P.A., are of counsel with our firm. Practice area include: Intellectual Property

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Kathleen A. Hanley, JD

Retired

Kathi is retired and living in Tucson, Arizona. She serves as a valuable advisor to the firm, and assists with continuity of service to her longtime clients that continue to entrust their legal needs to us.

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Prepare for Your Future by Talking to a Columbus Family Law Attorney

With locations in Dublin, Tipp City, and Mount Vernon, Arenstein & Andersen Co. LPA is readily available to help you figure out your family law needs. Whether your divorce is amicable or adversarial, having an attorney to represent your best interests is highly recommended. The decisions made during a divorce can affect you for the rest of your life, from how much time you get to spend with your children to the financial obligations you have to your ex-spouse.

The sooner you reach out to our team, the more quickly we can begin helping you take the first step into the next stage of your life. To have someone from our office contact you, please fill out our online contact form. You can also set up a consultation by calling us at (614) 602-6550. We look forward to talking to you.