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Divorce Lawyer in Beavercreek, OH

At The Kollin Firm, we understand that divorce can have devastating, long-term consequences on your financial security, relationships with children, and personal well-being. Today’s legal landscape regarding property division and private child custody has evolved significantly, making it crucial to have experienced legal representation that understands these complex changes. As a trusted divorce attorney in Beavercreek, Attorney Tom Kollin provides aggressive representation for clients facing these life-altering proceedings.

Immediate Protection and Temporary Orders

When divorce proceedings begin, temporary orders become critical for establishing stability and protecting your interests during the case. Whether you need to secure temporary arrangements or defend against unreasonable requests from opposing counsel, we understand this urgency and immediately begin strategic action on temporary orders:

  • Establishing or challenging temporary private custody arrangements that serve your children’s best interests
  • Securing appropriate temporary spousal support and child support or defending against excessive demands
  • Obtaining exclusive use of the marital home or protecting your right to remain in the family residence
  • Protecting marital assets from dissipation while ensuring reasonable access to funds
  • Defending against false allegations or addressing legitimate safety concerns involving children’s services
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Why Choose The Kollin Firm as Your Beavercreek Divorce Attorney

  • Over 25 years of experience practicing exclusively in Greene County Domestic Relations Court
  • Deep understanding of Ohio’s current property division and private child custody laws
  • Experience with both contested and uncontested divorce cases
  • Strong track record of representing high-profile clients, including professionals and business owners
  • Local connections and extensive experience with Greene County magistrates and judges
  • Proven ability to negotiate favorable settlements when appropriate
  • Focus on protecting professional licenses, business interests, and future opportunities

Understanding Ohio’s Complex Divorce Laws

Ohio maintains comprehensive statutes governing marriage dissolution, with significant variations in outcomes based on the legal pathway chosen and strategic decisions made during proceedings. Attorney Kollin’s understanding of these complex laws is crucial to protecting your interests:

  • No-Fault Divorce (Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01)Based on incompatibility when both spouses agree, or living separately for one year without cohabitation. This approach avoids proving wrongdoing and often results in more amicable resolutions with reduced legal costs and emotional trauma.
  • Fault-Based Divorce (Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01)Ohio recognizes adultery, extreme cruelty, willful absence for one year, imprisonment, gross neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, and procurement of divorce in another jurisdiction. While more complex to prove, fault grounds can significantly impact property division and spousal support decisions.
  • Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio Revised Code § 3105.61)A collaborative process requiring complete agreement on all terms before filing. Both spouses must agree on property division, child custody, support, and all other issues, typically resulting in a faster, less expensive resolution.
  • Legal Separation (Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17)Allows couples to live apart while remaining married, often chosen for religious reasons or to maintain health insurance benefits, using the same grounds as divorce but without dissolving the marriage.
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“We understand the legal and personal stakes in divorce cases. From challenging improper asset valuations to navigating private custody requirements, our approach is to examine every avenue to protect your rights and your future.”

–Attorney Tom Kollin

5-Step Process for Getting Started With a Greene County Divorce Lawyer

1.
Contact us to discuss your marriage situation and goals
2.
Book an in-person consultation to review case details and financial circumstances
3.
We review marital assets, debts, and any existing agreements or court orders
4.
Address immediate concerns about private custody, support, and asset protection
5.
Begin preparation for both divorce proceedings and potential post-decree matters
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Critical Advice for Those Facing Divorce

Divorce proceedings involve sophisticated legal strategies and potential pitfalls that can devastate your financial future and parental rights. Attorney Kollin provides crucial guidance to protect your interests:

Understand Asset Protection

All financial transactions during divorce proceedings are scrutinized. Avoid transferring, hiding, or dissipating marital assets, as these actions can result in sanctions and adverse property division. Additionally, be aware that opposing counsel may employ forensic accountants to trace financial transactions and uncover hidden assets.

Protect Yourself from Strategic Manipulation

Opposing parties often use emotional pressure tactics designed to obtain favorable agreements. These may include threats regarding children, false claims about asset values, or promises that verbal agreements will be honored. Remember that only court orders and written agreements signed by both parties are legally enforceable.

Preserve Digital Evidence

Divorce cases increasingly involve digital evidence including text messages, email communications, social media posts, and financial records. Do not delete anything—both deleted and existing communications can be recovered and may help establish adultery, financial misconduct, or contradictions in testimony.

Be Aware of Protection Order Implications

Domestic violence allegations often accompany divorce proceedings and use a lower burden of proof than criminal court. Statements made in protection order hearings can be used against you in divorce proceedings, making it crucial to have coordinated representation.

Understand the Investigation and Discovery Timeline

Divorce cases involving significant assets or business interests can continue for months or years, particularly when complex valuations are required. Additional financial disclosures may be demanded as proceedings continue, and hidden assets may be discovered through forensic investigation. Early legal intervention can help manage and limit the scope of discovery while protecting your interests.

These legal strategies and procedures are specifically designed to achieve maximum advantage for one party. Attorney Kollin’s experience with these techniques enables him to identify and counter opposing tactics while developing winning strategies for your case.

Military and Federal Civil Service Divorce Considerations

Military and federal civil service divorces involve unique complexities that require specialized knowledge beyond standard Ohio divorce law. Attorney Kollin’s experience with these cases as a Dayton military divorce attorney ensures proper handling of federal benefits and military-specific requirements:

Military Divorce Protections

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides specific protections for active-duty military members, including the right to request stays of proceedings and default judgment protections. Attorney Kollin ensures compliance with these federal requirements while protecting both military and civilian spouses’ rights.

Military Retirement and Benefits Division

Military retirement pay division requires compliance with the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), which governs how military retirement benefits can be divided in divorce. Direct payment from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service requires specific language in court orders, and a 10-year marriage overlap with military service. Additional military benefits requiring specialized handling include Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) elections, military healthcare benefits (TRICARE), and Veterans Affairs disability compensation considerations.

Federal Civil Service Benefits

Federal employees and retirees face complex benefit division issues requiring detailed knowledge of federal retirement systems. The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) includes three components: basic pension benefits, Social Security coordination, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts. The older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) provides different pension calculation methods and survivor benefit options. Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) continuation requires specific court order language to maintain coverage post-divorce. Special considerations apply to Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), leave balances, and federal disability retirement benefits that can significantly impact long-term financial security.

Base Housing and Geographic Considerations

Military families often face complex private custody arrangements due to deployments and base relocations. Attorney Kollin develops parenting plans that account for military obligations while protecting children’s stability and both parents’ relationships.

Security Clearance Protection

Divorce proceedings can impact security clearances essential for military and federal careers. As an experienced military divorce attorney in Dayton, Attorney Kollin understands the importance of protecting clearance eligibility through strategic case management and settlement negotiations.

5-Step Process for Success in Your Case

  1. Secure comprehensive asset discovery to identify all marital property and debts
  2. Develop strategic approach based on your specific circumstances and goals
  3. Negotiate with opposing counsel during settlement conferences and mediation
  4. Prepare comprehensive trial strategy if case cannot be resolved through negotiation
  5. Execute targeted settlement negotiations or trial advocacy to achieve optimal outcome

Additional Services We Provide

As an attorney with decades of experience, Attorney Kollin also supports people facing:

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Ohio

How long does divorce take in Greene County?
Divorce timeline varies significantly based on case complexity and whether parties reach agreement. Uncontested cases may resolve in 3-6 months, while contested cases involving significant assets or private custody disputes can take 12-18 months or longer. Greene County does not impose mandatory waiting periods, but practical considerations including court scheduling and discovery requirements affect timing.
What are the potential consequences of divorce?
Consequences extend far beyond asset division. Ohio's equitable distribution system means property division depends on numerous factors including marriage duration, contribution to asset acquisition, and economic circumstances. Additional consequences include mandatory child support obligations, potential spousal support for substantial periods, loss of retirement benefits, and restrictions on future financial decisions. Professional licenses and business interests may also be affected.
How is property divided in Ohio divorce cases?
Ohio follows equitable distribution principles, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Factors include marriage duration, assets and liabilities of each spouse, contribution to marital property acquisition, economic circumstances, and future earning capacity. Separate property owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance typically remains with the original owner.
Why do I need an attorney for divorce?
Divorce cases involve complex legal definitions and financial calculations that require experienced representation to navigate effectively. From challenging asset valuations to understanding private custody law nuances, a divorce lawyer in Greene County can make the difference between favorable terms and devastating financial consequences.
What's the difference between divorce and dissolution in Ohio?
Divorce involves one spouse filing against the other and potentially litigating disputed issues before a judge. Dissolution requires both spouses to agree on all terms before filing and involves no contested hearings. Dissolution typically costs less and resolves faster, but requires complete agreement on property division, custody, and support.
Can divorce agreements be modified after finalization?
Post-decree modifications are possible when circumstances substantially change. Child support and custody arrangements can be modified when changes serve children's best interests. Spousal support modifications depend on the specific terms of the original decree and whether circumstances have substantially changed since the original order.
How much does divorce cost in Greene County?
Divorce costs vary significantly based on case complexity, level of agreement between parties, and attorney fees. Filing fees in Greene County are approximately $350-400, but total costs, including attorney fees, expert witnesses, and court costs, can range from $3,000 for simple uncontested cases to $50,000+ for complex contested matters involving significant assets or custody disputes.

Contact The Kollin Firm Today

When divorce threatens the stability and security you’ve worked to build, waiting compounds the uncertainty affecting your children and financial future. Attorney Tom Kollin stands ready to guide you through this challenging transition with the wisdom, experience, and compassion your family deserves.

The Kollin Firm proudly serves all Greene County communities including Beavercreek, Xenia, Fairborn, Yellow Springs, Cedarville, Bellbrook, Jamestown, and surrounding townships.

Contact The Kollin Firm today at (937) 490-4700 or reach us online for your confidential consultation with a Greene County divorce attorney. Your future and your children’s well-being cannot wait.

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