Category: Divorce

Hiring a family law attorney in Ohio can be a challenge. There are many different divorce lawyers throughout the area. If you are going through a divorce, it’s important to find an attorney that makes you feel comfortable. Sometimes the best way to find the right attorney is to sit down with someone face to face. Here are some questions to consider asking when you are interviewing divorce attorneys in Dublin, Ohio.

1. Experience. What experience do you have working on family law matters?

2. Philosophy. Do you believe it is better to mediate and negotiate than to go to trial? What issues are worth the cost of trial?

3. Fees. Can you explain your fee arrangement? What other costs do you expect will be involved (i.e., for private investigators, forensic accountants, physicians, and/or psychologists), and how will you charge me for them?

4. Strategy. Based on what you know about my case, what would you suggest as a strategy or plan? Will you ask my opinion before planning strategy?

5. Counseling. How can you help me understand the complex legal issues involved in divorce? How will you counsel me on other aspects of divorce?

6. Communication. If I need to reach you, what is the best time of day? How long does it take for you to return calls or documents related to my case? Can I reach you via email?

7. Information. Will I be kept informed of all developments in my case? Will I receive copies of documents filed with the court, all communication with my spouse’s attorney and any other documents related to my case?

8. Relationships. Are you familiar with local Domestic Court Judges and how they rule?

9. Child Custody. Do you have experience dealing with child custody issues? What is your opinion on joint custody versus sole custody?

10. Financial Knowledge. Do you understand the complex financial issues that arise in divorce cases? Can you help me with tax or bankruptcy issues that may arise?

The Dublin, Ohio family law attorneys at Edward F. Whipps & Associates have over 30 years of experience. We understand the importance of starting a relationship on the right foot and strive to make our clients comfortable from the beginning. We take the time to give you straight forward honest answers to all of your questions.

The appraisal of a Business or Professional Practice is a complex matter. To properly determine the overall value of the business, it is essential to gain access to all of the financial records related to the business. Access to the chief operating officer or principal of the business and often to the business’ accountant is often very important. Then selecting an appropriate business or professional practice appraiser is almost always needed.

Most competent business appraisers analyze business and professional practices using three basic approaches:

• A market approach
• An income approach
• An asset approach

These three approaches are complex and require considerable expertise but with the results of all three approaches available, an analysis of all three will aid greatly in determining the fair value and also be essential in supporting the appraisal result. Having an experienced attorney who will work with the accountants and the forensic appraiser is essential.

Once a valuation is obtained, it is very important that a fair and equitable division be made. If one or both spouses are active in the business, it is essential that the success of the business is not disrupted by inappropriate changes. If only one spouse is to retain the business or professional practice, it is important to off-set the value in a division of other assets to the other spouse.

The key is to determine the best strategy to fairly divide the business or professional practice. It is, therefore, essential that you have an attorney with extensive experience in identifying the most effective strategy for accomplishing a fair property division. An attorney with such extensive experience and good working relationships with a network of forensic accounts, analysts and business valuation experts will best perform the wide range of services needed and provide the best counsel in accomplishing a result that will work for you.

Our attorneys have the experience and close relationships with the needed experts as well as the knowledge of how to acquire all of the relevant information needed. They frequently identify unique strategies that are specific to the given situation. If you would like to schedule a confidential, in-depth consultation

Having to go through a divorce can be a very stressful and overwhelming process; however, with the right lawyer guiding you along the way, the process can be much more comfortable.  To assist you in selecting the right lawyer for you and your specific case, consider these 5 tips:

1. Find an attorney who limits his or her practice to family law
   In most divorce situations, experience is an essential element in the attorney’s capacity to represent you with a full understanding of the complex and ever changing nature of the laws related to divorce, custody, support and property division.  A lawyer whose practice covers a range of areas that may include criminal defense, personal injury, bankruptcy or other areas simply is likely to spread the attorney’s ability to stay current on all of the statutory and case law that will affect your case.
2.  Think carefully about what will be the most important issues in your situation
   Will the primary concern be related to the custody and parenting time issues that you and your children face?  Will the division of your marital property be the primary focus?  Is child support and spousal support a matter of real importance to you?  Look for an attorney who has the actual experience of dealing with the issues most important to your situation and who has a well-established record of success in such cases.
3.  Are you concerned about psychological issues that relate to your spouse or to your children?  If so, be sure to look for an attorney with a good understanding of psychology and child development
   Law schools do not train lawyers in psychology or child development matters yet often psychological problems are at the heart of divorce and family problems.  In such situations, it is very important to find an attorney who has a strong background in psychology so that the strategies that are utilized will be tailored to your specific case and to the needs of you and your children.  Lawyers without such a background frequently develop strategies that are ineffective and expensive and do not ultimately serve your family well.
4. Be open with any prospective lawyer about what is most important to you
   Plan ahead and come to an interview with a list of the questions you need to have answered.  Give the attorney an opportunity to ask you questions before starting to ask your own.  This will give you a chance to get a feel for the personality and style of the attorney and a chance to see if you are comfortable with them.  He or she may answer many of your questions even before you ask.  Always ask what steps the attorney will take to address your concerns and goals.  Is his or her plan specific to your case or does it feel like the attorney basically takes the same approach to every case?
5. When you interview an attorney in your initial consultation, trust yourself and your own instincts
   You know yourself far better than any attorney can know you.  You know what is really important to you.  Mostly, you will know whether the attorney is someone with whom you feel comfortable to discuss your situation with.  Do you feel you can trust the attorney?  Does he or she explain things in a way that you can readily understand?  Are you comfortable asking questions without fear that they may seem “dumb?”  Do you feel confident that you will be kept well informed about the progress of your case?   Your initial impressions and feelings will give you important guidance in selecting the attorney that is right for your case.

We hope these tips are helpful to you.  Remember that you are placing a great deal in the hands of the attorney you select to guide you.  The next several months can be important to set you on a course for happiness for yourself and your family for the years ahead.

Having to go through a divorce can be a very stressful and overwhelming process; however, with the right lawyer guiding you along the way, the process can be much more comfortable.  To assist you in selecting the right lawyer for you and your specific case, consider these 5 tips:

1. Find an attorney who limits his or her practice to family law
   In most divorce situations, experience is an essential element in the attorney’s capacity to represent you with a full understanding of the complex and ever changing nature of the laws related to divorce, custody, support and property division.  A lawyer whose practice covers a range of areas that may include criminal defense, personal injury, bankruptcy or other areas simply is likely to spread the attorney’s ability to stay current on all of the statutory and case law that will affect your case.
2.  Think carefully about what will be the most important issues in your situation
   Will the primary concern be related to the custody and parenting time issues that you and your children face?  Will the division of your marital property be the primary focus?  Is child support and spousal support a matter of real importance to you?  Look for an attorney who has the actual experience of dealing with the issues most important to your situation and who has a well-established record of success in such cases.
3.  Are you concerned about psychological issues that relate to your spouse or to your children?  If so, be sure to look for an attorney with a good understanding of psychology and child development
   Law schools do not train lawyers in psychology or child development matters yet often psychological problems are at the heart of divorce and family problems.  In such situations, it is very important to find an attorney who has a strong background in psychology so that the strategies that are utilized will be tailored to your specific case and to the needs of you and your children.  Lawyers without such a background frequently develop strategies that are ineffective and expensive and do not ultimately serve your family well.
4. Be open with any prospective lawyer about what is most important to you
   Plan ahead and come to an interview with a list of the questions you need to have answered.  Give the attorney an opportunity to ask you questions before starting to ask your own.  This will give you a chance to get a feel for the personality and style of the attorney and a chance to see if you are comfortable with them.  He or she may answer many of your questions even before you ask.  Always ask what steps the attorney will take to address your concerns and goals.  Is his or her plan specific to your case or does it feel like the attorney basically takes the same approach to every case?
5. When you interview an attorney in your initial consultation, trust yourself and your own instincts
   You know yourself far better than any attorney can know you.  You know what is really important to you.  Mostly, you will know whether the attorney is someone with whom you feel comfortable to discuss your situation with.  Do you feel you can trust the attorney?  Does he or she explain things in a way that you can readily understand?  Are you comfortable asking questions without fear that they may seem “dumb?”  Do you feel confident that you will be kept well informed about the progress of your case?   Your initial impressions and feelings will give you important guidance in selecting the attorney that is right for your case.

We hope these tips are helpful to you.  Remember that you are placing a great deal in the hands of the attorney you select to guide you.  The next several months can be important to set you on a course for happiness for yourself and your family for the years ahead.