Divorce, Dissolution, and Custody/Visitation Attorneys
At Plakas Mannos, our top-rated Ohio divorce, dissolution, and child custody attorneys provide you with the counsel and attention you need to get through this difficult and stressful time in your life. Our team of family law lawyers and paralegals is experienced and equipped to help you handle the complicated personal, emotional, business, and legal issues related to your divorce.
The decisions you make and the actions you take during divorce and dissolution proceedings can have long-lasting consequences. This is particularly true where a family includes a high earner or a high net worth individual. Our family law lawyers in Akron or Canton can help you make the right decisions to set you up for future success and avoid the obstacles that may appear in your divorce, dissolution, or child custody/visitation proceedings.
Complex and High-Asset Divorce
High-asset divorces can involve complicated financial and business interests. Plakas Mannos has experience representing doctors, lawyers, business owners, entrepreneurs, franchise owners, and other professionals in matters involving:
- Businesses and professional practices
- Real estate
- Investments
- Retirement assets
- Complex income
- Property division
- Spousal support
Often, experts must be retained to establish business valuations and help with future projections. Our divorce attorneys are experienced in working with financial experts in divorce cases and understand the issues that need to be analyzed to prepare an appropriate and compelling presentation.
Dissolution
Dissolution offers a simple, more expedient, and usually less expensive option for couples who can agree on all of the issues related to their marriage, including division of property, marital debt, spousal and child support, and child custody.
Our team has decades of experience navigating uncontested dissolution proceedings and helping clients complete dissolutions efficiently, with as little stress as possible. If you and your spouse agree to the terms of your dissolution, one of our family lawyers can work with you to ensure that the process goes as seamlessly as possible.
Child Custody & Child Visitation
Oftentimes, the most terrifying and stressful part of a marriage termination proceeding is child custody. Many times, parents are hesitant to move forward with a much-needed divorce, because they are concerned about protecting their children.
Our family law team gets it. We are not only experienced child custody lawyers but parents, as well. We understand that your children are the most important thing in your life, and we will stand with you and do all we can to help you protect them.
Child Support & Spousal Support
Although a dissolution or divorce ends a couple’s marriage, in most instances certain ties remain, such as children or one party’s obligation to pay spousal support. A couple's original separation agreement or the court’s judgment entry addresses these issues.
In order to best protect yourself and your children in the event of a dissolution or divorce, it is important to have a child support attorney who can ensure you know your rights and that your income and children are being protected.
Moreover, circumstances may change over time, justifying revisiting these issues in the future. Depending on the extent of the changes, you may need to adjust the terms of the parties’ original separation agreement or the court’s original orders. (So long as the court retains continuing jurisdiction of these matters.)
Prenuptial Agreements
Prenuptial agreements are more common today than in the past, and individuals with significant personal wealth, family wealth, or assets often seek the security they offer. The requirements for a valid prenuptial agreement are stringent. Plakas Mannos offers counsel in structuring a prenuptial agreement that is enforceable, fair to both parties, and provides you with the security of knowing you will be financially protected in the event your marriage terminates. If the requirements for a valid prenuptial agreement are not met, the agreement can be thrown out completely, and you will lose all its potential protections.
Post-Divorce Proceedings
Our family law team has experience working with parties who have already terminated their marriages and are seeking just and equitable modifications to their separation agreements or the court’s initial orders. If you have been through a divorce or dissolution and believe that a modification is appropriate, our family law attorneys near Canton and Akron may be able to help.
Additional Family Law Services
If you need a child custody lawyer or another type of family lawyer, the extent of domestic relations law covers more than just dissolution and divorce at the surface. Our Ohio family law team can also guide you through the following:
- Separation agreement drafting
- Division of property issues
- Child custody
- Child visitation
- Grandparent visitation
- Legal separation
- Postnuptial agreements
- Domestic abuse
Family Law FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Dissolution in Ohio?
In Ohio, dissolution is used when spouses agree on all issues related to ending their marriage, while divorce is used when there are issues the spouses cannot resolve and the court may need to decide.
What If We Can’t Agree on Terms for a Dissolution and Need to Get a Divorce?
If you and your spouse cannot agree on all the terms necessary for a dissolution, you may need to pursue a divorce to resolve the disputed issues through the court process.
Those issues may include the division of earnings, savings, pensions, retirement funds, real estate, personal property, and other assets. When a marriage involves a family-owned business or professional practice, additional analysis may be needed to determine its value and each spouse's interest.
What Happens to a Business During a Divorce?
A business or professional practice may need to be considered when dividing property in a divorce, depending on the circumstances. Determining how to treat the business may require analyzing its ownership, value, appreciation, income, and each spouse's interests.
In complex cases, Plakas Mannos works with financial professionals and other experts when needed to value business interests and analyze the financial issues involved.
How Is Property Divided in an Ohio Divorce?
Property division in an Ohio divorce involves identifying and valuing assets and determining how to divide them between the spouses. This can become more complex when a marriage involves businesses, real estate, investments, retirement accounts, or other significant assets.
Our family law attorneys help clients understand the financial picture and protect their interests throughout the property division process.
Can Child Custody or Support Orders Be Changed After a Divorce?
Child custody and support orders may be modified after a divorce when the circumstances and applicable legal requirements support a change. Because requirements vary by issue and situation, an attorney can help determine whether modification is appropriate.
Plakas Mannos represents clients seeking modifications as well as those responding to requested changes.
When Should I Contact an Ohio Family Law Attorney?
Consider contacting a family law attorney when you are considering divorce or dissolution, facing a custody or support dispute, or have significant financial or business interests that could be affected by a family law matter.
Getting legal guidance early can help you understand your options, identify important financial and legal issues, and make informed decisions before taking the next step.
Is the Plakas Mannos’ Family Law Team the Right Fit for Me?
As you explore ending your marriage or determining custody for your child(ren), it’s important to know your options and your rights. This is where a family court attorney can help.
Our Ohio family law team believes it is critical to dive into your case from the outset, and have a full understanding of all financial, custody, and other issues in your case. Because of our comprehensive approach to divorce and dissolution cases, we are not a one-size-fits-all law firm. Our firm is especially skilled at high-asset, complicated divorce and dissolution proceedings. The more assets you have, the more important it is to ensure that you have an experienced team behind you.
Do you need a family law attorney? Contact us today for more information.
