There are many issues that must be decided in an Ohio divorce. If the couple has children, child support may be included in that list. Unfortunately, child support can become a very contentious issue even though which parent will pay and the amount of support are determined by the court. There is often resentment by the paying parent over being legally required to pay. Understanding what child support is actually used for may be able to alleviate some of that resentment.

Child Support in Ohio

Under the laws of Ohio, child support is calculated using the income shares model. Under this method, the court looks at both parents’ gross income and determines what amount of that combined income was dedicated to the child’s care before the parents split up. Economic tables are used by the court to estimate the monthly cost of raising a child and then the paying parent pays a percentage of that amount based on their proportional share of both parents’ combined income.

According to Ohio law, income that can be counted towards a parent’s gross income includes:

When you get married, you and your spouse will not only be making the commitment to spend your lives together, but you will be entering into a legal partnership that affects the income you earn, the property you own, and much more. This means that if your relationship breaks down in the future, and you decide to get a divorce, you will need to address multiple types of financial and legal issues, including dividing the marital property you own together. Even though you probably do not want to think about the possibility of divorce when you are planning to begin your new life as a married couple, considering these issues can help you avoid difficulty and uncertainty in the future. By creating a prenuptial agreement, you can make decisions about these financial issues and provide yourself with protection if your Ohio marriage does not last.

Situations Where a Prenup Can Be Beneficial

A prenuptial agreement (prenup) will typically involve financial issues related to property, debts, income, and financial support. It may make decisions about how a couple’s property will be divided in the event of a divorce, or it may state that certain assets are considered marital property, while other assets are separate property that will be owned by one spouse. A prenup can also decide whether one spouse will pay spousal support to the other in the event of a separation or divorce, as well as the amount of these payments and how long they will last.

When a woman gives birth to a child, she is obviously the biological mother of that child. She does not need to take any additional steps to become the child's legal parent. When a married couple has a child, the husband is automatically assumed to be the father. However, when an unmarried couple has a child, the father will need to take certain steps to declare himself as the child’s legal parent. There are several ways you can establish paternity in Ohio. Read on to learn more and the benefits it can provide for both the father and his child.

The Importance of Establishing Parentage of a Baby

In the state of Ohio, there are several individuals who can bring an action to establish paternity. The child’s mother or father can establish paternity, or the Child Support Enforcement Agency or a representative of the child can do so. Once paternity has been formally established, the mother will be able to start collecting child support. Establishing paternity is also necessary for the child to receive health insurance coverage, social security or veteran’s benefits, or an inheritance from the father. Most importantly, establishing the legal relationship between a father and his child can encourage the father to become more involved in his child’s upbringing.

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.