Compassionate and Experienced Divorce Attorneys
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| Why Choose the Law Office of Credentials: Firm founder and lead attorney Gary Gottfried is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the Ohio State Bar Association, based up proven ability, on-going education, and reputation among peers and judges. He has also been selected a "Super Lawyer" in Ohio Family Law, and as one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in Columbus." Contact the law office of Gary J. Gottfried Co., LPA, when you need legal help.
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Gary J. Gottfried, an OSBA Certified Family Law Specialist, has more than 30 years of experience serving the people of Columbus, Ohio and around the world (through the Hague Convention) in divorce and related family law matters.
The decision to seek a divorce is one of the most emotional and challenging choices you will ever make, especially if you have children. Divorce also involves retirement, business and other legal questions that must be resolved. It can be an stressful and emotional process. It is a rare occurance in any one person's life, but we have been here before. We can help you understand the basic issues of family law, and give you straight answers to your questions.
Handling Complex Divorce Matters
Divorces involving significant assets and high-profile individuals involve a number of issues that are not common to other divorces. At Gary J. Gottfried Co., LPA in Columbus, Ohio, we have significant experience handling substantial asset divorce cases. Our attorneys regularly represent both men and women dealing with the personal, business, and financial issues associated the dissolution of a marriage.
Effective Columbus Divorce Lawyers
Many substantial asset divorce cases involve an intricate combination of joint property and separate property. We will employ accountants, forensic accountants, business valuation experts, and real estate experts to help us determine the value of assets, when they were acquired, and whether they are part of the marital estate. Our divorce attorneys routinely deal with a host of asset allocation issues associated with high-asset divorce disputes:
•· Business valuations
•· Divorce tax planning
•· Professional practice valuations
•· 401K, pensions, and other retirement accounts
•· Investment accounts and investment portfolios
•· Trusts
•· Commingled assets
•· Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
•· Film, book and music royalties
•· Stocks and bonds
•· Debt allocation
•· Real property
•· Division of Personal Property (including the allocation of vehicles and water craft)
Since a majority of the Ohio divorce statutes target middle income divorce matters, child support, custody and visitation disputes are often intensified in high-end and high profile divorces. We understand that regardless of the financial situation of the people involved, divorce is always difficult. We work with you to understand the totality of your situation and help get a marital dissolution agreement that protects your long and short-term interests.
Often, people are confused about the difference between a divorce, dissolution of a marriage and a separation. Basically, a divorce is the termination of a person’s marriage. Marriage dissolution is the termination of a marriage by agreement, so essentially they are the same thing. Thespouses separate and a court rules on the division of property, alimony (spousal support), child support, custody and visitation.
There are other arrangements or types of separation that exist and fall short of an actual divorce. They are:
Trial separation. When a couple lives apart for a test period, to decide whether or not to separate permanently, it's called a trial separation. Even if they don't get back together, the assets they accumulate and debts they incur during the trial period are usually considered jointly owned.
Living apart. Spouses who no longer reside in the same dwelling are said to be living apart. In some states, living apart without intending to reunite changes the spouses' property rights. For example, some states consider property accumulated and debts incurred between living apart and divorce to be the separate property or debt of the person who accumulated or incurred it.
Permanent separation. When a couple decides to split up, it's often called a permanent separation. It may follow a trial separation, or may begin immediately when the couple starts living apart. In most states, all assets received and most debts incurred after permanent separation are the separate property or responsibility of the spouse incurring them.
Legal separation. A legal separation results when the parties separate and a court rules on the division of property, alimony, child support, custody and visitation -- but does not grant a divorce. The money awarded for support of the spouse and children under these circumstances is often called separate maintenance (as opposed to alimony and child support).
Division of Assets. Should two parties decide to divorce, a full and accurate determination of their assets must be made. Once the assets are determined, then those assets are divided. This division is not always a 50/50 split due to each spouse’s income history, pre-marital assets and other factors related to the care of any children. There is no standard to the division of property because it is whatever the parties determine. For example, consideration must be given to 401k plans, which are in the name of one spouse, but was accumulated during the course of the marriage. When the divorce is finalized, a QDRO would be issued to transfer qualified retirement plans on a tax-free basis. Spousal support should be gender neutral as well as appropriate and reasonable. The allocation of child support however, is based on a state formula. Our law office would assist you in determining who pays what, to whom.
Our 24-hour voice mail service (614-297-1211) and fax service (614-297-6387) will receive your call or fax at any time or you may contact us via the Internet.
We are always available to respond to your legal needs and would welcome the opportunity to assist you.
Gary J. Gottfried Co., LPA
608 Office Parkway, Suite B
Westerville, OH 43082
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Phone: (614) 297-1211
Fax: (614) 297-6387
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