Posted on September 26, 2026 in Civil Litigation

Something you owned before marriage can lose its separate-property status during an Ohio divorce, but it does not happen simply because you got married. Separate property can lose its identity if it becomes mixed with marital property and can no longer be traced. Also, any increase in value caused by either spouse's labor, money, or other contributions during the marriage may be treated as marital property.

If you are worried about an asset you brought into the marriage in 2026, a Summit County, OH divorce lawyer can look at whether it still qualifies as yours alone.

What Is the Difference Between Marital and Separate Property in Ohio?

Ohio is an equitable distribution state under Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.171. During divorce proceedings, property is sorted into two categories, marital property and separate property. The court typically returns separate property to its owner and divides marital property between the spouses. 

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 Posted on August 28, 2026 in Estate Planning

A trust can help keep your estate out of probate in Ohio. Assets held in a properly funded trust generally pass directly to your beneficiaries without needing court involvement. This is different from assets left through a will alone.

If you're considering this option in 2026, our Wayne County, OH estate planning lawyers can help you understand whether a trust makes sense for your situation.

What Is Probate and Why Do People in Ohio Want to Avoid It?

Probate is the court-supervised process used to administer certain property after a person dies. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2101.24, the probate court has authority to grant letters testamentary and letters of administration, oversee executors and administrators, and order the distribution of estates. This process can take months. Sometimes it takes even longer if disputes arise among family members.

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 Posted on July 30, 2026 in Personal Injury

There's no single number that fits every motorcycle accident claim in Ohio. When it comes to putting a number on your case, several things are typically factored in. These include your medical expenses, income you've lost, damage to your property, and the pain and suffering you've endured.

Motorcycle crashes tend to land on the higher end of the settlement scale. This is largely because the injuries riders suffer are often so severe. If you suffered injuries in a crash in 2026, our Medina County, OH motorcycle accident lawyers can help. We’ll look at the specific details of your crash and help you understand what your case may truly be worth.

Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Often Result in Higher Claim Values?

Motorcycles offer far less protection than a car or truck. There's no metal frame, airbags, or seatbelt to absorb the force of a collision. This means the energy from a crash transfers much more directly to the rider. This often results in serious injuries like broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage. These injuries tend to require more extensive and prolonged treatment than injuries from a typical car accident. Because of this, motorcycle claims frequently carry higher values than other types of vehicle collisions.

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 Posted on June 30, 2026 in Personal Injury

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer for a car accident claim in Ohio. However, in most cases, having one makes a real difference in what you actually recover. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and attorneys working on their side, and their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Going up against that alone, especially while you are recovering from injuries, is a difficult position to be in. If you were hurt in a car accident in 2026, our Medina, OH personal injury lawyers can help.

When Does It Make Sense to Handle a Claim Without a Lawyer?

There are situations where hiring an attorney may not be necessary. If the accident was minor, you were not injured, and the damage to your vehicle was small, you may be able to handle the claim on your own. In these cases, the process is usually straightforward, and the amounts involved may not justify the cost of legal representation.

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 Posted on May 31, 2026 in Criminal Defense

You can refuse a breath test in Ohio without being arrested solely for the refusal itself. But that does not mean there will be no consequences. Ohio has an implied consent law that applies to stops for operating a vehicle impaired (OVI). Refusing the test triggers automatic penalties that kick in whether or not you are ever convicted of OVI. If you were arrested and refused a breath test, or if you took one and are now facing charges in 2026, our Wooster, OH OVI defense lawyers will work with you to build a personalized defense strategy.

What Is Ohio's Implied Consent Law?

Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.191 is the state's implied consent law. It says that anyone who operates a vehicle in Ohio is considered to have already consented to a chemical test of their blood, breath, or urine if they are arrested for OVI. The law applies the moment you get behind the wheel, whether you know about it or not.

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 Posted on April 30, 2026 in Family Law

A mother can refuse a voluntary paternity test, but she cannot refuse one that has been ordered by a court. In Ohio, if a man files a legal action to establish or challenge paternity, a judge has the authority to order genetic testing regardless of whether the mother agrees. Refusing a court-ordered paternity test carries serious legal consequences. If you are dealing with a paternity dispute in 2026, our Wadsworth, OH paternity lawyers can help you understand your rights and what steps to take next.

How Is Paternity Established in Ohio?

In Ohio, paternity can be established in two main ways. The first is voluntary, through a document called an Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit. This is a form that both parents sign, usually at the hospital after the birth, that legally recognizes a man as the child's father. No DNA test is required for this process. Once properly filed, it can become final and enforceable without a court order.

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 Posted on March 30, 2026 in Divorce

If your spouse refuses to sign divorce papers in Ohio, you can still get divorced. Under Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01, you can file for divorce on recognized grounds such as incompatibility, and the court can move forward whether your spouse cooperates or not.

If you are dealing with an uncooperative spouse in 2026, the Wayne County, OH divorce lawyers at The Law Office of Whitney K.S. Miller, LLC can help you understand your options and protect your rights.

Can a Spouse Actually Stop a Divorce in Ohio?

In Ohio, one spouse cannot block a divorce from happening. They can slow things down, make things more difficult, and drag out the timeline. But they cannot stop the process entirely.

Once your spouse is served with the divorce papers, they have 28 days to respond. Ohio Civil Rule 75(K) also requires a minimum 42-day waiting period from the date of service before a final hearing can be scheduled, and that period cannot be waived. After that, the process moves forward with or without your spouse's signature. 

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 Posted on February 27, 2026 in Estate Planning

Most people create an estate plan once and assume it will hold up no matter what changes in their lives. However, an outdated plan can be just as harmful as no plan at all. According to a recent study, medical diagnoses account for 10 percent of the reasons people choose to update their estate plans. Preparations for serious medical procedures were cited in seven percent of updates.

Those numbers reflect only the people who actually made changes. Millions of others haven't updated their documents at all after significant life events. If your life has changed as of 2026, your plan probably needs to change too. Our Medina County, OH estate planning lawyers can help you figure out what still works and what needs updating.

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 Posted on February 27, 2026 in Estate Planning

Most people create an estate plan once and assume it will hold up no matter what changes in their lives. However, an outdated plan can be just as harmful as no plan at all. According to a recent study, medical diagnoses account for 10 percent of the reasons people choose to update their estate plans. Preparations for serious medical procedures were cited in seven percent of updates.

Those numbers reflect only the people who actually made changes. Millions of others haven't updated their documents at all after significant life events. If your life has changed as of 2026, your plan probably needs to change too. Our Medina County, OH estate planning lawyers can help you figure out what still works and what needs updating.

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 Posted on January 31, 2026 in Personal Injury

As of 2026, Ohio courts still rely heavily on evidence when deciding injury claims, especially when fault is disputed. The most important evidence in a car accident lawsuit is the evidence that clearly shows what happened, who caused the crash, and how the accident harmed you. When the pieces of evidence work together, they help explain your claim in a way insurance companies and courts can understand.

Car accidents happen far more often than many people realize. According to data from a recent 10-year national study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, police respond to more than six million motor vehicle crashes each year across the United States.

For many personal injury attorneys, car accidents make up the majority of their cases. If you were hurt in an accident, collecting the right evidence early is critical. Speak with our Wayne County, OH personal injury lawyers soon after the crash. 

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