Not necessarily. There is a crime called interference with custody. But, it is highly fact dependent. For example, if your wife takes your kids out for ice cream while you are at work and doesn't tell you, you don't know where they are but she doesn't have to tell you every little... View More

You would need to make an effort to find your spouse. If you cannot, then you file for divorce and serve your spouse by publication. Once that service is complete, you will have a hearing with the court where you will have to testify regarding marital assets and debts, if any, the court must divide.

Need more facts. If you were separated, physically & financially, when this was written, it could be a partial separation agreement and valid. If this was done while you were still living together or still financially together, it would not be, ax we do not recognize post-nuptial agreements in Ohio.

The court will always try to reunite children with a parent, barring any proof of ongoing abuse. I'm surprised the initial visits have not been supervised. You might be able to get them supervised now if the counselor will testify about concerns for the children's well being.

If your spouse does not sign a separation agreement or shared parenting plan, you will have to pursue a court order.

You will probably have trouble qualifying since you are on another house loan. You should have required you ex to refinance the loan.

Your friend should discuss his attorney for his plan & time frame. He may also wish to obtain a second opinion on how to proceed. It is very difficult to provide more without knowing more details on the case and orders.

Sorry for your situation. Does your divorce settlement provide that if your ex cannot refinance he must sell the house? That is likely the only way you can get off the mortgage debt if he cannot refinance. If it doesn't, you can ask if he'd agree to do so, but he has no legal requirement to.

When a divorce is filed, most courts impose an automatic restriction on the spouses from making any changes to the normal payment of household expenses, changes to bank accounts, utility accounts, loans, major purchases, health insurance, and other finances, etc., without getting prior court... View More

Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local divorce attorney to review the situation, advise you of your options, and file with the court asking for temporary orders for parenting time.

Did your custody order allow you to move out of state with the child without the father’s agreement or court permission? That would be unusual. You can file for contempt in Ohio in the county where the agreement was filed.

The attorney does not have to be in the same county, but must be willing to travel to your county. The attorney will bill you for that travel time, so it will cost you more than if you get a local attorney. A local attorney will know the folks at the local court and be more familiar with how they... View More

Do you have an attorney? You need an experienced child custody attorney to assist you. Have you seen the psychological report? Your attorney will need to review that to determine how to proceed?

Money given directly typically does not count toward the child support obligation, but is considered a gift. But it depends on the temporary support order in effect during the divorce, and what the court ordered for support when the divorce was finalized, and how it required him to pay , either... View More

A spouse can receive one-half of the value of a retirement account accumulated during a marriage. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local divorce attorney who can review all the facts and circumstances and advise you.

Small claims court does not handle that. File a motion in the domestic relations court that handled your divorce, to have the ex held in contempt. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local family law attorney.

If both spouses are present, and both testify to the grounds for divorce and advise the court they want to terminate the marriage, then no other witness should be required, and the court should grant it, although it depends on your local court and ultimately the judge decides. But if the defendant... View More

See if the domestic relations court in the county where you live has a law clinic where you can receive free legal assistance with your court filings.

That is a conversation she should have in private with her attorney. Too much depends on the specifics of her situation - finances, age, health, employment, etc. She should use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local divorce attorney who can meet with her to discuss her situation and how she can... View More

If your husband agrees to do so, you can deal with parenting issues in the divorce. If not, or you prefer not to, you can deal with parenting in juvenile court. You should consult an attorney in your county to determine your best option.