Columbus and Central Ohio Family Law Attorneys
Family Law specialists with over 59 years of experience.
Family Law Services We Offer in Columbus, Ohio
The Lawrence Law Firm provides a full range of family law services to clients in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio. Family attorneys Rodd S. Lawrence and Linda J. Lawrence both have the knowledge and experience that you can count on to get results. Along with other types of family law cases, our Columbus attorneys can assist you with:
- Divorce: Going through a separation is never easy. Our Columbus divorce lawyers can help you chart the best path forward—with a focus on finding low-conflict solutions and protecting your rights.
- Spousal Support: Following a divorce Ohio, the financially disadvantaged may be entitled to spousal support (alimony). We have extensive experience handling alimony cases.
- Child Custody: We help parents with child custody, child visitation, child support, and post-divorce modifications. Call our Columbus office now for assistance.
- Paternity: Paternity is the basis of a father’s rights (and responsibilities) in Ohio. Our family lawyers can help you prove paternity.
- Adoption: Our family law attorneys can help you with all types of adoptions, including stepparent adoptions, private adoptions, and international adoptions.
- Prenuptial Agreements: Before tying the knot, a couple may opt for a prenuptial agreement. In Ohio, prenups must conform to strict standards to be legally enforceable.
- Family Law Mediation: Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that emphasizes collaborative negotiation and mutually agreeable solutions. We are experienced family law mediators.
Understanding Family Law
Understanding Ohio Paternity Laws
In the State of Ohio, paternity establishes the father’s right to visitation and the mother’s right to child support. In some cases, it may not be apparent to a father that they are, in fact, the father of a child. Sometimes a mother needs to press the issue when a man claims a child she does not want him to see or requires the support of a reluctant father. Sometimes it’s the father who wants to establish or deny paternity. In these cases, the aim is to either establish or deny that a father has legal rights to a child or a mother has a legal right to child support.
Ohio paternity laws are complex. An unmarried mother is presumed the child’s residential guardians. Fathers may need to press the issue legally to gain access to the child. In addition, a mother may need to force the issue with a father who denies paternity. Lawrence Law Office can help with these issues.
Ohio Law and Prenuptial Agreements
Those who decide on prenuptial agreements may be surprised to know that the must be drafted according to Ohio law in order to be enforceable. When drafting a prenuptial agreement, you and your future spouse must disclose all of your assets, holdings, and property. You must also disclose your debts. Though Ohio law does not require it, attorneys for both spouses should review the agreement to ensure that it is fair. In addition, two witnesses must be present for the agreement to be legally valid.
The Lawrence Law Office of Columbus, Ohio can help with this process.
Ohio Law and Stepparent Adoption
More and more families are realizing that love is better the second time around. Mixed families have increased, and with them, the need for formal legal arrangements to be reached between stepparents and the children they are inheriting in their new families. These agreements establish a legal parent/guardian relationship between parents and their children.
The team at the Lawrence Law Office can help mixed families establish their legal guardianship over the newest members of their family.
Understanding the Adoption Process in Columbus
Family law attorneys also help families adopt children. In fact, it’s one of the best parts of our job. While the process of adoption is quite complicated and parents are expected to be prepared for the reality of bringing a child into their home, our attorneys can help facilitate the process. We will ensure that you have all your information in order and navigate the complex legal system that transfers guardianship of a child to a parent.
How Grandparents can Secure Visitation Rights
Divorce is hard on everyone, regardless of whether or not it is for the best. Sometimes grandparents fear that they will be left out when custody comes before the bench. We believe that it’s in a child’s best interests to maintain stable relationships with both sides of the family. We can help grandparents establish their rights to visitation.
How Mediation Services work for Columbus Residents
Linda Lawrence is an OSBA certified specialist, a distinction granted to a few attorneys in certain areas of practice. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to family law in the State of Ohio.
As a mediator, Linda Lawrence provides a dispute resolution tool for former couples who need to hammer out post-divorce arrangements. This is often better for the children because the process is not as adversarial and tends to be resolved quicker. It’s also more cost-effective for the parents.
Mediation offers parents a chance to reach agreements outside of the courtroom where they run the risk of completely losing control of the situation. Lawrence Law Office can help make important arrangements between you and your former spouse without involving the courts and a judge.
Why Rely On Columbus Family Lawyers at the Lawrence Law Office
Family law cases are complex and sensitive. You need a legal advocate who you can trust to help you navigate the process and protect your rights. At the Lawrence Law Office, our family law attorneys have over 60 years of relevant legal experience. We will help you find the best solution. When you call our Columbus office, you have will have a chance to speak to an experienced Ohio family lawyer who can:
- Listen to your story and explain your options;
- Answer any questions you have about family law in Ohio;
- Organize and handle all documents and paperwork; and
- Help you take the appropriate action to get the best possible outcome.
We know that no two family law cases are identical. One-size-fits-all approaches are not good enough for your family. You deserve personalized representation from a Columbus family lawyer who will take the time to listen to your story. Our law firm is committed to helping each and every client find the solution that works best for their unique needs.
Contact a Family Law Attorney in Columbus Today
At Lawrence Law Office, our Columbus family lawyers are standing by, ready to advocate for your interests. If you need help meditating your divorce, need to make arrangements for an adoption, need to put your new spouse’s guardianship rights in writing, or need to establish paternity, or need guidance with any other legal matter, we can help. Give us a call or contact us online and we can begin discussing your situation today. From our law office in Columbus, we represent clients throughout Central Ohio, including in Franklin County, Delaware County, Union County, Madison County, and Knox County.
Other Columbus Practice Areas
Family Law | Adoption | Stepparent Adoption | Prenuptial Agreements | Divorce | Real Estate Investor Divorces | Executive Divorces | Physician Divorces | Mediation | Dissolution | Military Divorces | Retirement Asset Divorces | Business Owner Divorces | Spousal Support | Child Custody | Contempt & Enforcement | Same-Sex Couple Child Custody | Paternity
Our Practice Areas
Attorneys for Divorce, Child Custody & More At the Lawrence Law Office, we are committed to helping families in conflict find creative solutions that focus on addressing their goals and...
Columbus & Delaware, OH Divorce Lawyers In Ohio, there is more than one way to separate from your partner and dissolve your marriage. A divorce is typically a contested proceeding, with each side...
Enforcement and
Post divorce
When working through your divorce with an Ohio family law attorney, chances are your divorce agreement made allowances for child support. spousal support or
divorce
Dividing the marital assets between divorcing people can be one of the most contentious issues during the entire divorce process. Ohio law allows the couple to work together with...
Dividing the marital assets between divorcing people can be one of the most contentious issues during the entire divorce process. Ohio law allows the couple to work together with...
Divorce Cases
Helping With Child Custody, Visitation & Support Updates Or Modifications Sometimes circumstances substantially change after a divorce and require parents to revisit an existing...