The history of prenuptial agreements can be traced back 2,000 years, but they began to benefit women in the United States during the 19th century. Before the Women’s Property Act of 1848, a woman could not have property in her name. In cases in which a woman’s husband would leave or pass away, a prenuptial agreement would ensure she would be left with something. After the act became law, prenuptial agreements protected women from their husbands taking advantage of their inheritances or property. 

Today, prenuptial agreements have a similar purpose to situate finances before marriage in case either party wants a divorce sometime in the future. Preparing for divorce before walking down the aisle may feel like planning for a marriage to fail, but in reality, it helps couples communicate truthfully about their finances.

It is often said that half of marriages in the United States end in divorce. In reality, the percentage of divorce is somewhere between 40 and 50 percent, and that rate has steadily decreased in recent decades. There are many factors that can contribute to a couple’s likelihood to get a divorce, such as the length of the relationship, the age of the individuals, and whether or not one of the parties has been married before. According to USA Today, the divorce capital of Ohio is Bedford Heights, with nearly 20 percent of the population being divorced, compared to 13 percent throughout the rest of the state. 

When the time comes for a married couple to decide on separation, this may feel like an overwhelming decision. There are many things to consider when getting a divorce, such as the division of assets and child custody, but couples should first consider how to proceed with the divorce process. In Ohio, there are multiple options for resolving the legal issues that must be addressed during divorce. Depending on the relationship with your ex-spouse, you may find one is better for your situation than another. 

Options for Divorce

• Mediation - If you and your spouse are able to amicably discuss the legal issues involved in ending your marriage, mediation can be a great option for conflict resolution. When using mediation, you and your spouse will work with a mediator to discuss and decide on the terms of your divorce. The mediator is not there to take sides or make decisions for you but to assist in guiding a productive conversation. After the mediation process, the agreements are placed in writing and signed. 
• Collaborative law - In this type of divorce, couples agree to work together and negotiate the various issues involved in divorce outside of court while being represented by their own attorneys. This process requires both parties to be open to the idea of discussion and be willing to freely share information with each other.
• Litigation - In some cases, it may be necessary to involve the court in divorce proceedings. This may be the case if couples truly cannot agree on the terms of their divorce or are unwilling to negotiate, or if there are serious issues such as restraining orders that have been placed because of domestic violence or abuse. Unlike mediation or collaborative law, court proceedings are public. 

Contact a Wayne County Divorce Attorney Today

Getting a divorce is an overwhelming process that involves a wide variety of steps. Contact an experienced Summit County divorce lawyer to discuss the best divorce procedure for you and your family. We offer free consultations in most cases. Call 330-725-4114 to schedule an appointment. 

In 2017, there were over 4,000 deaths caused by car accidents involving collisions with semi-trucks throughout the United States. Large commercial trucks weigh significantly more than cars, and they take longer to stop. As a result, the majority of victims who died in truck accidents were the occupants of passenger cars. 

Truck Accident Statistics

According to an analysis of U.S. Department of Transportation data by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, deaths caused by truck accidents are at an eight-year high. The early 2000s brought a sharp decrease in deaths of passengers involved in truck accidents, but in 2009, deaths began rising. 

Large commercial trucks are often associated with highways and freeways, but only 32 percent of accidents that caused deaths in 2017 occurred on those types of roads. The majority of tractor-trailer truck accidents take place on major roads not considered freeways or interstate highways. 

Nobody wants to talk about what will happen to themselves or their family after death. It can be a difficult and uncomfortable conversation, but having a plan in place that determines what happens to your affairs when you die is important. The majority of Americans have not created any sort of estate plan, meaning the majority of American families will have an unnecessarily difficult time getting a loved one’s affairs in order after their death. Wills are a basic form of estate planning that everyone -- no matter if you are 25 or 95 -- should have in place should the unthinkable happen. 

Here are a few ways that having a will in place can benefit you:

1. You Can Make Sure Your Kids are Being Taken Care of By a Person of Your Choosing

One of the major components of a will is what will happen to your children if you die. If you do not designate a specific guardian for your minor children, the state will step in and will most likely give custody of your children to your next of kin. The person who the state gives custody to may or may not be the one who you would like to be looking after your children. Explicitly stating who you would like to take care of your children is important.