Ohio Child Support Attorney Blog | Columbus Ohio Divorce Lawyers | Worthington OH Dissolution Law Office

Child Support Guidelines in Ohio

2012-02-22T20:06:13Z

Issues relating to child support can be difficult. Some people believe they are paying too much child support. Others believe they are not receiving enough. Child support in Ohio may be established and ordered by the County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), Domestic Relations Court, or the Juvenile Court. The Ohio Revised Code establishes the Ohio Child Support Guidelines and a Child Support Computation Worksheet to be utilized in determining the appropriate child support. The Ohio Child Support Guidelines take into account the cost of living including costs related to food, housing, transportation, and medical expenses. The Child Support Computation Worksheet is a mathematical calculation that is used to calculate a parent's child support obligation.

The Child Support Computation Worksheet is not based directly on actual spending on a child, but rather on indirect estimates of child costs. Some of the factors that influence the amount of child support to be paid are custody, gross income of each parent, health care costs, child care costs, education needs of a child, and situations involving multiple families. There are many other factors that determine the dollar amount of child support payments.

The obligee is the person who receives the child support. The obligor is the person who is required to pay the child support. Speaking with an experienced Columbus Ohio Child Support Attorney would be a good idea to get legal advice and to find out a way to resolve your issues involving child support. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. We have helped people through a wide range of family law and domestic matters for over 30 years. We are qualified to practice in any county in Ohio and familiar with each county's local rules. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Because of Medical Bills in Ohio

2012-02-22T15:17:57Z

It is very easy for medical bills to pile up. It seems as if every year insurance deductibles are going up and medical coverage is going down. A couple trips to the hospital can set you back for months. No one can foresee an accident about to happen in the near future. No one can anticipate having to go through health problems. When unexpected accidents and health problems arise, it is hard to find the extra money to pay for the services you need to get well. What do you do when there is not enough money at the end of the month to make payments on all of your medical bills? Many Americans living in Ohio are seeking relief by filing a Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy to get a fresh start and help rebuild their financial future.

A Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy is what most people envision of when they think about bankruptcy. It is where most of your debt is discharged such as medical bills, credit cards, personal loans, and other unsecured debts. There are a couple things you may have to pay back such as student loans, back taxes, and domestic support. Sometimes there is no other option than bankruptcy. When you stop paying on your bills, it is a matter of time before someone files a lawsuit against you. Once a judgment is rendered against you the creditor can garnish your wages, seize funds out of your bank account, and attach liens to your property. Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy will automatically stop a wage garnishment, foreclosure, sheriff sale, vehicle repossession, and utility disconnection.

Speaking with an experienced Columbus Ohio Bankruptcy Lawyer would be a good idea to determine your eligibility of filing a bankruptcy. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. For over 30 years, we have helped people file for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code along with exploring other avenues that may be beneficial. We understand the stress of financial worry and are here to help you through the process. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

More young mothers saying "I don't" to marriage

2012-02-21T17:27:37Z

Not all that long ago, having a baby out of wedlock was considered somewhat scandalous. Children born of unmarried couples were called "illegitimate," as though they didn't count somehow. But times and trends have changed, so much so that having a baby out of wedlock is actually becoming more common than waiting until after marriage.

In Lorain County, Ohio, 63 percent of all births to women under 30 occur outside marriage, according to Washington-based research center Child Trends. That's a two-thirds increase over the past 20 years, surpassing the national figure of 53 percent. Although the trend indicates more parents are relying on child support, many single parents say they aren't getting married because they don't think they can find a reliable partner.

]]> Today's economy may be partially to blame. Unlike earlier generations, young adults today have a hard time earning a middle class wage without a college degree. "You feel really low when you can't help your family out," said one single father of two who works in construction. Although he has the same level of education as his father, jobs like the one that allowed him to grow up middle class are harder to come by, and he struggles to provide for his children.

And that's precisely why many single mothers in Lorain have given up on finding reliable mates. The majority find that government programs provide a financial safety net they can actually count on. "A baby makes a woman grow up, but not a man," said one single mother who is hesitant to let another man into her life after the father of her children was jailed for assault. "I can't imagine ever depending on a man. I don't trust them."

The shift isn't happening across the board, however. College graduates still overwhelmingly marry before having children, which suggests that a new class divide is developing. Research suggests that children born outside marriage face a higher risk of falling into poverty, failing in school or suffering emotional and behavioral problems.

Even many single mothers believe their children would benefit from a father figure. A woman in Lorain who remarried after having two children says her husband remains an active parent to his own children, which is what attracted her to him. She says that to single mothers who say they don't need a man to raise their children, she responds, "Honey, yes you do. You might not need him financially, but your baby needs a father."

Source: The New York Times, "Young Mothers Describe Marriage's Fading Allure," Sabrina Tavernise, Feb. 18, 2012

Filing Bankruptcy Because of the Death of a Family Member in Ohio

2012-02-21T13:38:45Z

The death of a family member can be devastating. Trying to cope with the loss of someone you love can be difficult and heart wrenching. At times it can be hard to eat, sleep, or even get out of bed. Sometimes it is hard to let go and realize that they are really gone. Times can become even worse when you are left with an abundance of debt to pay from funeral expenses, medical bills, credit cards, and personal loans. What do you do when the total debt is an amount that you know that you will never be able to pay back? What do you do when there is simply no extra money left over at the end of the month to pay for the added expenses? Many Americans living in Ohio are exploring their options with bankruptcy.

Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy will cease the creditor's collection efforts against you. Filing a bankruptcy will automatically stop a wage garnishment, foreclosure, sheriff sale, vehicle repossession, and utility disconnection. Speaking with an experienced Columbus Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney can be helpful when deciding how to better your financial situation. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. For over 30 years we have helped people file for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code along with exploring other avenues that may be beneficial. We understand the stress of financial worry and are here to help you through the process. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Advantages to Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Columbus Ohio

2012-02-20T15:11:02Z

In Ohio, dissolution of marriage is an effective tool when both spouses can agree to the terms of the divorce. Some of the terms include custody, visitation, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and the division of assets & debts. When spouses can work out these arrangements on their own, only one party needs to hire an attorney to write up the final paperwork. This can save money on attorney fees. The process for dissolution can happen much more quickly than that of a divorce. When a couple knows that their marriage is over and they are ready to move forward, dissolution simply makes sense.

Many couples today prefer to keep control over the outcomes of their case, and to tailor agreements to the unique needs and rhythms of their families. Dissolution of marriage provides a fast timeframe. Dissolution of marriage usually results in an agreement that helps the parties to move on quickly and affordably, while building the foundation for two new separate lives. Dissolution of marriage is usually the least expensive not only in terms of actual cost, but in emotional cost as well.

An experienced Columbus Ohio Dissolution Attorney can help you put your agreements in action and start the rebuilding process so that each person can move on with their separate lives. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. We have helped people through a wide range of family law and domestic matters for over 30 years. We are qualified to practice in any county in Ohio and familiar with each county's local rules. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Truth About Debt Consolidation Companies in Ohio

2012-02-20T14:06:43Z

There are many things you should know about debt consolidation companies. You see the flashy television commercials making empty promises to pay all of your bills with one monthly payment. What you probably didn't know is that debt consolidation companies are not regulated. Creditors don't have to accept an offer made by a debt consolidation company and the creditor can file a lawsuit against you at anytime to garnish wages and freeze bank accounts. Some debt consolidation companies require you to make monthly payments to them while gathering your cash into a pool and calling the creditor to negotiate a lump sum settlement offer after stuffing their pockets with your monthly payments. While this is going on, interest and late fees are accruing on your bills. You could be getting ripped off each month and will never know it until you are served paperwork from a lawsuit or wonder where your money has gone years later.

The only true debt consolidation is getting a personal loan from the bank to pay off all of your bills or by filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Filing a Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy will enable you to make monthly payments you can afford that is disbursed to the creditors each month and is regulated by the Federal government. By filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may pay pennies on the dollar on your unsecured debts. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy can allow you to get current on a car or house payment if you are threatened by a repossession or foreclosure. Speaking with an experienced Columbus Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney can be helpful when deciding how to better your financial situation.

The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. For over 30 years we have helped people file for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code along with exploring other avenues that may be beneficial. We understand the stress of financial worry and are here to help you through the process. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Some couples keep flame alive after moving apart, Ohio study says

2012-02-16T17:07:54Z

Unmarried couples who decide to stop living together often choose to keep their romantic relationship alive, according to a study by an Ohio State University researcher.

About one in four couples who decide to split their households still keep the flame burning, which can benefit the children of those couples and make issues of child custody and visitation much easier to handle.

]]> Most cohabiting couples assume that their relationship will end in either marriage or a permanent breakup, says the study's author, an assistant professor of human development and family science at Ohio State. "But there seems to be a significant proportion who no longer live together, but aren't completely giving up on being a couple," she said.

This continued relationship means the couple's children are likely to see the parent they no longer live with more often, without the fighting and acrimony that children of divorced parents are often subject to.

Data for the research came from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which examined low-income unwed mothers and fathers with children. The new study's author found that couples who stayed connected after moving apart tended to have two things going for them: more "relationship investments" with each other and less family chaos. Relationship investments included things like pooling money, having a joint checking account or credit card, or having a second baby together. These investments maintain a bond between the couple and make it less likely they'll completely separate, the author said.

But if a couple has a lot of family chaos -- for instance, inflexible job arrangements, child care problems and constant moving -- it's harder to create and maintain family routines, and couples are more likely to break up permanently. The study found that each indicator of family chaos increased the chances a couple would break up by 22 percent.

The study has policy implications that could extend beyond non-married people and affect divorced couples. The author said the results indicate the importance of providing good, flexible jobs and quality child care to low-income parents to reduce family chaos.

Whether you're divorced or simply don't live with your children's other parent anymore, maintaining a bond with your former partner makes a difference in the lives of your children. Even if you aren't romantically linked anymore, the less chaos there is for your children, the better they'll fare.

Source: Science Codex, "Study: Some formerly cohabitating couples with children keep romantic relationship," Feb. 9, 2012

What to Do When Your Home is in Foreclosure in Columbus Ohio

2012-02-16T15:27:08Z

In this economy, home foreclosure is a prominent issue that worries many homeowners. The thought of losing one's most valuable asset can be a frightening prospect. Calls to banks often go unreturned and action is needed to be taken so that your home isn't lost in a sheriff sale. You may have tried to work out a loan modification with the bank and still no success. What is one to do when the banks are not willing to work with you? Many homeowners living in Columbus and other cities in Ohio are filing bankruptcy to stop a foreclosure so that they may keep their home.

Filing a bankruptcy will automatically stop a foreclosure and take real estate off of the sheriff sale listing. Filing a bankruptcy would be crucial if your home is on the sheriff sale listing. If nothing is done before the sheriff sale date, your home is lost and there is nothing you can do. If you want to keep your home, filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be the best option for you. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to get current on your mortgage payments by paying a fraction of the arrearages over the period of the proposed plan. The proposed plan will run between 3-5 years. Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may also allow you to pay pennies on the dollar on your other debts such as credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and other unsecured debts.

Sometimes keeping the house is not an option. One may seek relief by filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. By filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy you can discharge the debt incurred from a foreclosure along with other debts such as credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will allow you to get a fresh start and can help you start rebuilding your financial future.

Speaking with an experienced Columbus Ohio Foreclosure Attorney will give you the opportunity to discuss your options with your home in foreclosure with a professional who can help. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. For over 30 years we have helped people file for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code along with exploring other avenues that may be beneficial. We understand the stress of financial worry and are here to help you through the process. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Presumed Fathers Disestablish Paternity in Ohio

2012-02-15T19:34:06Z

Finding out about an affair can be heart wrenching. Finding out that an affair was going on around the same time the child was conceived can make matters even worse. If you believe the child is not yours, you would want to disestablish paternity. You may have been married to the mother at the time the child was born and have recently found out about an affair questioning if the child is really yours. Perhaps you were not married to the mother when the child was born and you signed the Acknowledgement of Paternity or Affidavit of Paternity at the hospital when the child was born. There are many situations in which a father would want to disestablish paternity. Disestablishing paternity means to attempt to overturn or reverse a final and enforceable determination of paternity. You establish paternity if you are married to the mother at the time the child is born. You establish paternity if you signed the Acknowledgement of Paternity or Affidavit of Paternity at the hospital when the child was born. One may also establish paternity if they fail to show up to a court date in which the other parent is trying to determine paternity and establish their parental rights and responsibilities.

If you believe or know the child is not yours, you may want to take legal action as soon as possible. Many times men are forced to pay child support for a child that is not theirs because they chose to stand on their rights or not take legal action. If you are presumed to be the father simply because you were married to the mother when the child was born, you would want to file an action in court rebutting the presumption or to prove you are not the father. If both the husband and wife agree that the husband is not the father and the biological father is known, they can disestablish paternity by agreement. If the husband and wife do not agree, the court will order DNA testing to determine if the husband is the father of the child.

Speaking with an experienced Columbus Ohio Paternity Lawyer would be a good idea to see what the best course of action would be. Legal counsel can assist you with establishing or disestablishing paternity. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. We have helped people through a wide range of family law and domestic matters for over 30 years. We are qualified to practice in any county in Ohio and familiar with each county's local rules. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Bankruptcy in Ohio

2012-02-15T14:32:20Z

The stress of financial worry is not easy to deal with. Times can become stressful when you don't have enough money at the end of the month to pay all of your bills. Matters can become worse when you are faced with a lawsuit, wage garnishment, foreclosure, sheriff sale, vehicle repossession, or utility disconnection. When you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, you may want to speak with a professional that can help.

Bankruptcy may be an option available to you under Federal law. There are many options that may be available to you that you did not know about. Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy would be ideal if you are looking for a fresh start and would like to discharge your credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and other unsecured debts. Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy would be ideal if you are looking to save a house from foreclosure or to get a car back from repossession. There are many factors that determine one's eligibility of filing a bankruptcy. Some of the factors that determine one's eligibility to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy include household income, total debt, household size, prior filings, and equity of assets. Legal counsel will be able to explain to you every legal option available to you under the applicable law.

The Bankruptcy District you file your bankruptcy petition in and the court you appear at is going to depend on which county you reside at in Ohio. There are two Bankruptcy Districts. There is the Northern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court Division and the Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court Division. Each Bankruptcy District has several courts. The Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court Division has courts in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, St. Clairsville, and Zanesville. The Northern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court Division has courts in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Toledo, and Youngstown.

An experienced Columbus Ohio Bankruptcy Attorney will be able to assist you with crafting a plan to tailor the bankruptcy around the unique needs and rhythms of your family and to help you rebuild your financial future. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. For over 30 years we have helped people file for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code along with exploring other avenues that may be beneficial. We understand the stress of financial worry and are here to help you through the process. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Prenuptial Agreements in Columbus Ohio

2012-02-14T13:41:14Z

Making the decision to get married is never an easy decision to make. Making the decision to get married when you have something to lose can make the decision even more difficult. Signing a prenuptial agreement before marriage would be a good idea in case something would ever happen down the road. There are many reasons why one may want to have a prenuptial agreement. An example of someone who would want to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage would be a widow who wants to remarry, but don't want to take the chance of losing everything they worked their whole life for. Another example would be someone with a successful career or business and don't want to take the chance of their fiancé taking advantage of them later in life.

Prenuptial agreement, antenuptial agreement, premarital agreement, and premarital contract are all terms used to describe an agreement made by two people about to marry defining for themselves their respective rights, duties, and responsibilities in the event their marriage terminates by death, annulment, separation, or divorce. Prenuptial agreements are used to protect the assets an individual has obtained before the marriage. You may want to sign a prenuptial agreement if you want to protect your house, car, business, or personal possessions that you have obtained before the marriage from being taken from you and your family later in life in the event the marriage terminates.

An experienced Columbus Ohio Divorce Lawyer can help you draw up the paperwork for a prenuptial agreement to protect your possessions in case something would ever happen. The friendly law office of Ralph A. Kerns & Associates is committed to providing excellent representation, which includes carefully explaining to our clients every legal option available to them under the applicable law. We are here to help you through this difficult time and we are always available to answer your questions. We have helped people through a wide range of family law and domestic matters for over 30 years. We are qualified to practice in any county in Ohio and familiar with each county's local rules. Through friendly service and aggressive representation, we ensure our client's rights are protected. We never hesitate to act quickly and efficiently when time is of the essence. Call today for a free consultation. Help is one phone call away!

Filing Bankruptcy Because You Lost Your Job in Ohio

2012-02-13T21:46:28Z

Losing your job can be a freighting prospect. Losing your main source of income can put a damper on your financial planning. When the normal income you are used to making is not there, it is a matter of time before your savings are exhausted and there is no money left to pay all of your bills each month. If you are fortunate enough to get unemployment, it is only a fraction of what you are used to bringing in each month and there is a waiting period before you start getting paid. Jobs are getting harder and harder to come by. The job market is more competitive and volatile than it used to be. Many experienced employees are settling for less. This can make it even harder for someone who is just starting out or someone who is close to retiring.

There comes a point in time when you must take action. When bill collectors' start calling your phone and you can't even come up with enough money to make minimum payments, you may want to explore your options with bankruptcy. Filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy would be ideal if you are looking to get a fresh start and discharge your credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and other unsecured debts. Filing a bankruptcy will stop the creditor's collection efforts. Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy will stop a sheriff sale, foreclosure, wage garnishment, vehicle repossession, and utility disconnection.

Dads with primary child custody have same struggles as moms

2012-02-13T17:38:29Z

With more and more men being awarded child custody after a divorce, single fathers are altering the way we view families of divorce. And the fathers themselves are dealing with the struggles -- and the added closeness to their children -- that single mothers have known for generations.

It used to be that mothers were always the primary caretakers after a couple split up, but the statistics are changing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 2 million single dads in the U.S.; in 1970 there were just 393,000. Ten percent of single dads are raising three or more of their own children, including infants. Thirteen percent live with someone else, and 76 percent have an income of less than $50,000.

]]> Like most single moms, fathers raising their children alone often have to work long hours to support their kids on one income, which means they can't always be around to support them in other ways. A father raising two sons in Bucyrus, Ohio, says his biggest challenge is getting his boys to and from school and other activities. Another father in the same city says it's tough for him, too. Because he doesn't have much family nearby, he does a lot of coordination with other parents to help him get the kids where they need to be on time.

Both fathers say sometimes it can be hard to know whether they're being too lenient or too strict, especially when it comes to raising a daughter who wants to date, says one of them. "There is not that other person here to balance things out," he said.

Child support payments ease the financial burden somewhat, but like their female counterparts, many single dads are frustrated by not being able to give their children more. One of the Ohio fathers says he's proud his daughter is so dedicated to working, because it means his own paycheck can be stretched farther.

And, like so many single mothers, these dads are happy to be able to spend much more than every other weekend with their kids. While he and his son have always been close, says one of the fathers from Bucyrus, "I think the divorce and the fact that he lives with me has made us even closer."

Source: Mansfield News Journal, "Single fathers don't have it easy," Kimberly Gasuras, Feb. 13, 2012

Former Bengal Terrell Owens finally gets child support break

2012-02-09T22:15:23Z

With the economy still lagging and many parents out of work, making regular child support payments has become increasingly difficult for some. When parents don't have a job, they can't afford to provide money for their children. And with record unemployment numbers in recent years, more and more parents are facing that struggle.

If the inability to afford child support discourages you, bear in mind that not even celebrities are immune to the struggles of paying child support. Former Cincinnati Bengals player Terrell Owens, who has four children with four different women, was ordered to pay between $5,000 and $20,000 per child per month. But those amounts were determined when he was still playing with the Dallas Cowboys. After his missed payments started piling up and the mothers of his children went to court to collect them, he argued that he was only making one-fifth of his Cowboys salary with the Bengals before he became injured and his contract wasn't renewed.

]]> In addition to no longer earning a salary, Owens said a series of failed business ventures poorly recommended by his financial advisors have left him nearly bankrupt. Still, like other parents out of work, he was obligated to pay support. For months he asked the court to lower his payments, to no avail.

But this week, a judge dramatically reduced his child support payments. The exact amount has been sealed, but things are looking up for T.O. He also has a new job with the Indoor Football League. He'll be paid $250,000 by the Allen Wranglers, a far cry from any of his NFL salaries but an amount that will allow him to support his children.

Even if you don't see any football leagues rushing to sign you to a contract, you still have options. Parents who can't find a job or whose new job pays substantially less than the previous one may be eligible for a child support modification. Working with an attorney, parents may be able to have their monthly payments lowered so they're more in line with their current income.

Source: Examiner.com, "Terrell Owen wins big in child support case," Kelly Cozzone, Feb. 6, 2012

Should I File an Individual or Joint Bankruptcy in Ohio?

2012-02-09T22:00:12Z

The stress of financial worry can become unbearable. When you don't have enough money at the end of the month to pay all of your bills, it can make you sick to your stomach. As much as you would like to pay all of your bills, the money is simply not there. When you are unemployed or underemployed, it can make the situation even more difficult. Many married couples living in Ohio are looking at bankruptcy for answers to resolve their financial problems. Should I file an individual or joint bankruptcy? That is a great question for married couples to ask their attorney before filing their bankruptcy petition.

Filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy will stop the creditor's collection efforts. Filing a bankruptcy will automatically stop a wage garnishment, foreclosure, sheriff sale, vehicle repossession, and utility disconnection. Married couples have an option to file an individual or joint bankruptcy petition. An individual bankruptcy filing simply means that you are filing by yourself and leaving your spouse out of it. This would be ideal if all the debt is in one spouse's name and not the other. The only downfall is that if there are any joint accounts, the other party will be responsible for the debt. A joint bankruptcy filing simply means that you are filing together. You can discharge both husband and wife's debts in one bankruptcy filing. Both an individual and joint bankruptcy has its own advantages. It is very important as a couple to explore both options to see which bankruptcy filing will be in your best interest.