Legal Services for INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
We are family-focused attorneys who work cooperatively with each client so he/she can take comfort knowing that their attorney is looking out for their best interest and the best interest of their families.
Our Practice Areas
Divorce, Dissolution, and Mediation
A long, drawn out divorce is not the only option out there if you wish to end your marriage. Yes, some situations require that we file for divorce, but in many cases, couples don’t want to fight. All they want to do is bring the marriage to an end as quickly and as painlessly as they can.
Mediation, Dissolution, and Collaborative Divorce are all excellent options. You and your spouse have the right idea if these options sound appealing. Our job is to turn that good idea into a smooth and worry-free process.
Langhals Law has two attorneys who have completed the Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College certification for mediation. Matthew Langhals and Lauren Kimmel can mediate almost any dispute. However, no matter what the dispute over, parties can rest assured the mediation of their matter will be handled with integrity and fairness.
Custody and Parenting Time
Many people refer to a custody and parenting time case as a “custody battle.” Looking at it as a “battle” is not quite the best way to view things. The law in Ohio directs the Courts to decide these cases based upon the best interest of the children. What might be in mom or dad’s best interest probably won’t even be on the Court’s radar. Though it may be difficult at times, working cooperatively with the other parent will likely work out much better in the long run than working against the other parent. No matter what the situation, every custody and parenting time case will result in a Parenting Plan or Shared Parenting Plan. There are five major sections to a Plan:
1.) Custody (aka – who makes the decisions for major issues like education, healthcare, religion and extracurricular activities). If both parents are legal custodians, they discuss these issues and make decisions together as a team. This is called Shared Parenting. If only one parent is the legal custodian, that parent makes the decisions. That is what many know as Sole Custody.
2.) Parenting Time schedule which covers the school year, summer vacation, and the holidays.
3.) How the parents plan to financially support the children (aka – child support).
4.) Which parent covers the children with health insurance.
5.) How the parents will claim tax exemptions, deductions and credits.
Parenting Coordination
Parenting Coordination is defined as the process whereby an impartial third person, appointed by the court in a family law case, helps parents implement their parental rights, parental responsibilities, and parenting time schedules by helping to resolve disputes between the parents.
Adoption
Ohio law requires that an attorney or adoption agency arrange the adoption of a minor child. Yes, most of the work involves stacks of forms and the collection of birth records, but there are a number of little-known rules and requirements that can either delay an adoption or throw it off the rails. Having an attorney explain the lay of the land as you begin your adoption case will help avoid the usual traps and errors, and allow your family to enjoy the process instead of fret over it.
Criminal Law
Getting into trouble is one thing but getting into criminal trouble is another. Maybe it's a traffic ticket or violation of a noise ordinance. Perhaps it's more serious, like an OVI or a misdemeanor. It might be even more serious than that, and you overheard the police talking about a felony charge. Langhals Law traditionally represented clients in family law cases, but when Eric Ricker joined the firm, he brought with him the added practice of criminal law. Now, people can call and ask for Eric when they find themselves in need of a lawyer in the criminal law.
Send a Message
If you would like to book a consultation, contact me today. I will be more than willing to answer your inquiries immediately.