Treneff Cozza Law, LLC

What are the top advantages of divorce mediation?

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC on Monday, March 18, 2019.

As you compare divorce mediation to traditional litigation, it's critical to make a list of the pros and cons associated with each process. With these details in front of you, it's easier to understand what you're up against and how to best proceed with your divorce in Ohio.

Many divorcing couples immediately write off mediation, as they aren't comfortable with the idea of personally working through their issues. While this is a common concern, you should still take the time to learn more about the many advantages of divorce mediation. These include but are not limited to:

More power over the process: When you square off in court, you lose a lot of your power. Your voice doesn't mean nearly as much. Instead, the judge has the right to make decisions as they relate to your divorce. With mediation, both you and the other individual work together to negotiate and compromise.
Less expensive: This isn't always the case, but divorce mediation is typically less expensive than litigation.
More time-efficient: Again, this doesn't always hold true, but most divorcing couples find that mediation is more time-efficient than litigation. When both individuals are willing to negotiate and compromise, it's much easier to move through the process in a timely manner.
Minimize hostility: The last thing you want is to increase tension, as this can take a toll on your mental and physical health and well-being. Also, if you have children together, increased hostility is never a good thing. When you reduce hostility during the divorce process, it's easier to carry this over into the future (such as when co-parenting).
The help of a mediator: Unlike a judge, a divorce mediator does not have the power to make final decisions. However, this person is trained in keeping the peace and helping move the process forward from start to finish.

Spousal support modification may be in order for lottery winner

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

Financial support after a divorce is often awarded after the court makes a determination based on a number of factors, such as what each spouse earns and the amount of debt owed and assets owned. Modification and termination of court-ordered spousal support can be granted, but it is usually as a result of special circumstances. Ohio residents may take interest in the story involving a lottery winner and his new spousal support woes.

The man who paid for one state's Mega Millions lottery ticket wound up being a huge winner last week. He has plans for some of the $273 million he won, but his ex-wife hopes a sense of morality kicks in where she is concerned. According to her, his winning status did not make her want to take him back, and she will not ask for any of the money he won, but she hinted at the fact that he owes her.

Child custody case pits mother against son

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Child Custody on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

Bringing a child into the world means taking responsibility for someone who cannot care for him or herself, and it is usually a lifelong commitment. Unfortunately, the focus for some parents remains on themselves, leaving others to do what they choose to forgo, which is to raise the child to be a productive member of society. More and more grandparents are now seeking child custody for grandchildren the parents cannot or will not raise themselves. Ohio parents may be interested in the case of a grandmother in her fearless child custody fight for her granddaughter.

The woman had never seen her granddaughter until her son called, requesting her help after being arrested for a fight he had with the child's mother. Just looking at the child, the grandmother could tell she had been physically abused. When she took the child to a doctor, x-rays revealed past injuries, some that had not properly healed, and the child's weight was far below what it should have been for her age of eight months. The grandmother sent reports of the child's condition to police and the Division of Family and Children Services, seeking help for the child.

Tom Arnold files for divorce from wife

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

Sometimes, an Ohio couple will agree that the marriage is not working, but they will not agree on a settlement that comes with the ensuing dissolution. An impending divorce will find both sides needing to agree on many issues, from division of assets to child support and custody. Actor Tom Arnold and his soon-to-be ex do not agree on certain issues while they are going through their divorce.

Arnold and his wife, Ashley Groussman, were married in 2009 and confirmed a separation just weeks ago to the media. Records show he actually filed for divorce earlier this month. At that time, he did not indicate that he was willing to pay spousal support, but he did want joint custody of their two children, a 5-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl.

Reality show couple divorce after only seven months of marriage

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

Since 2014, Ohio reality TV fans have been treated to the saga of international romances in the show, "90 Day Fiance." While some of the stars over the years have remained married, some have inevitably gone through a divorce. Contestants in Season 6 of the show, Colt Johnson and Larissa Dos Santos Lima, are headed for divorce, as Johnson filed his paperwork just last month.

The two found each other on a social media site and their first meeting was in Mexico. A June 2018 wedding came after Johnson proposed only five days after they met. However, it seems the two were a mismatch early on in the marriage. Johnson got more than he bargained for while trying to keep up with the lifestyle Lima wanted for herself. Just five months into the marriage, Lima was arrested on a domestic abuse charge but Johnson chose to not press charges.

When your retirement income changes, so should spousal support

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

With more families having two spouses working outside of the home these days, spousal support isn't as common as it once was. The courts usually only order support when there is a substantial discrepancy in earning potential between former spouses. When both spouses work for the duration of the marriage, support may not be necessary.

However, especially for couples married for a long time and divorcing later in life, spousal support or alimony is still possible in an Ohio divorce. Particularly if one spouse stayed home for much of their professional life to raise children or care for the home, the spouse with higher earning potential may end up ordered to pay spousal support.

Lorenzo Lamas satisfied with latest divorce settlement

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

Try as they might, some Ohio couples just cannot make their marriages work. They often feel the only recourse is to file for divorce and end their union. Coming to an acceptable agreement may depend on the level of contention between the couple. Movie and TV personality Lorenzo Lamas has just finalized his fifth divorce and is satisfied with the division of assets between him and his ex-wife.

The 61-year-old actor filed for divorce from his wife, model and actress Shawna Craig, who is nearly half his age. The marriage lasted seven years, although they separated after five. He has six children from previous marriages, but this latest venture into matrimony did not yield any offspring. As such, there was no requirement for a child support resolution, and neither elected to receive spousal support.

Parents win child custody case with medical diagnosis

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Child Custody on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Many custody cases that make the news these days deal with celebrities from the sports or entertainment world fighting with an ex or of grandparents who are fighting to keep their grandchildren as a result of drug abuse on the part of their children. However, sometimes a child services agency gets involved and parents end up fighting for child custody of their own child. Ohio parents might be interested in the case of two parents fighting for child custody after a medical diagnosis gave the Department of Social Services cause to remove their child from his home.

When the child was only 2 months old, the parents took him to their local emergency room for swelling on his leg. Because of the area in which they lived, the parents believed it was a spider bite. X-rays showed the boy had 16 fractures in his leg, leaving the parents shocked but without an explanation of how the injuries could have happened. Barely a month later the parents were facing charges of misconduct of a child.

Father appeals child custody case

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Child Custody on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

Ohio fathers who are pursuing custody of their children may be interested to hear that many states are no longer automatically giving the mother guardianship after a divorce or separation. Family courts take into consideration a number of factors pertaining to the mother and the father as they determine the best interests of a child in a child custody case. One father in another state appealed after the department of child services there challenged a child custody placement in his favor.

DCS had been working with the mother and her boyfriend on an agreement concerning her three children, all under 5 years old. There had been suspicion of substance abuse that garnered the attention of the DCS, ultimately requiring treatment ordered by the court. Only months later, an unannounced visit by police revealed the children had been left alone by the mother. The father had a stable job with a steady income, and the children were placed in his care.

More money, fewer problems in divorce

On behalf of Treneff Cozza Law, LLC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

For Ohio couples who have chosen to end their marriage, division of money and other assets is often the biggest point of contention. When it comes to any type of financial support during many divorce proceedings, there can be some explosive conflicts. However, it has been suggested that the more money involved in divorce proceedings, the better for the exes.

With the divorce of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie headlining the news, a recent report offers the opinion that large amounts of money accumulated during a marriage may be the key to a friendlier divorce. Bezos is reportedly worth $137 billion and MacKenzie will be more than stable financially once they are no longer husband and wife. They say they want to remain friends from here on out.