DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Domestic Relations, or Family Law, addresses three major topics: Identifying assets and liabilities and dividing them; allocating parental rights and responsibilities; and determining whether spousal support (previously called alimony) is appropriate and if so, how much and how long. These three topics require careful legal analysis and review with an eye for the goals of the client as well as the time the issue is raised. Prior to a marriage, one must consider the need for a pre-nuptial agreement. We are experienced in preparing pre-nuptial agreements to preserve pre-marital assets in the unfortunate event of a future termination of marriage. If a marriage is going to terminate, a divorce or dissolution decree must value and distribute property and debt as well as clearly define custody, child support and visitation rights of the parties. We provide zealous representation to assist our clients in all aspects of negotiating and litigating these financially and emotionally complicated issues. After a divorce or dissolution has been granted, there may be post-decree matters, such as child support modification, custody and visitation modification or contempt proceedings. We are experienced in representing and advising clients about their rights and enforcing orders of the Court.
All attorneys licensed to practice law in Ohio must have graduated from an accredited law school, passed the three day bar examination, and attend continuing legal education courses as required by the Supreme Court of Ohio. However, attorneys who devote a large part of their practice to a particular area of law may choose to go beyond those requirements to earn a specialty certification. The Supreme Court of Ohio established a Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists to identify specialties and set minimum standards for specialty certification.
On January 1, 2003, S. Scott Haynes was honored by the Ohio State Bar Association Family Law Relations Specialty Board as a Certified Family Law Specialist. This certification makes Mr. Haynes one of a small group of attorneys in Ohio to earn this distinction.
