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 However, an outdated plan can be just as harmful as no plan at all.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 However, an outdated plan can be just as harmful as no plan at all.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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 Posted on December 26, 2025 in Estate Planning

In Ohio, debts are usually paid from the deceased person’s estate. The order in which debts are paid can vary. What happens if there is not enough money, and whether anyone else may be responsible, depends on the situation. If you are dealing with a death in the family, our Medina County, OH estate planning lawyers can help you navigate the aftermath, especially the probate process.

What Is an Estate Under Ohio Law?

An estate is everything a person owns at the time of death. This may include bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, personal property, and investments. The estate is also responsible for paying valid debts before any remaining assets are passed on to heirs.

In Ohio, estates are usually handled through probate court. Probate is the legal process used to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute what is left. If the person had a will, the court usually appoints the executor named in the will. If there is no will, the court chooses an administrator.

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 Posted on November 28, 2025 in Personal Injury

Personal injury law in Ohio allows you to recover damages when someone else's negligence causes you harm. Knowing the elements of a valid claim, the types of cases that succeed, and the steps to evaluate your situation helps you make informed decisions about your rights.

If you were injured in 2025 and you are wondering if you can take legal action, call our Medina, OH personal injury attorney today. 

What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Ohio?

Car Accidents

Car accidents represent the largest category of personal injury cases in Ohio. When drivers violate traffic laws or drive carelessly, they cause crashes that injure others. Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, drunk driving crashes, and distracted driving accidents all create liability for negligent drivers.

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 Posted on October 30, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Being charged with a DUI, known in Ohio as an OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired), is extremely overwhelming. Between court dates, fines, and the threat of losing your license, you might be tempted to take a plea deal just to make the case go away. But before you agree to anything, you need to know what a plea deal really means.

In Ohio, prosecutors often offer plea bargains in OVI cases to save time and avoid going to trial. Sometimes a plea can work in your favor. Other times it can result in long-term consequences that are worse than you expect. Talk to a Wooster OVI defense lawyer with The Law Office of Whitney K.S. Miller, LLC before you agree to anything. 

What Is an OVI Plea Deal?

A plea deal (or plea bargain) is an agreement between the defense and the prosecution in which the defendant pleads guilty or "no contest" to a charge. In exchange, the defendant gets a reduced sentence or a lesser offense. In an Ohio OVI case, this might mean pleading guilty to a reckless operation charge or a physical control violation instead of a full OVI conviction. 

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 Posted on September 29, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Facing criminal charges is stressful for anyone, but it can be especially overwhelming if you live with a mental illness. You may wonder whether the court will take your condition into account when deciding your sentence. In practice, mental health can influence how judges handle sentencing in Ohio. A Summit County, OH criminal defense lawyer can explain how the law works so you can prepare the strongest possible defense.

How Does Ohio Law Consider Mental Health in Sentencing?

Ohio judges have some flexibility when sentencing defendants. Under Ohio Revised Code § 2929.12(C)(4), courts are authorized to consider whether "substantial grounds exist to mitigate the offender’s conduct" even if those grounds are not a legal defense. Mental illness can often fall into this category. This means your condition may not excuse the crime, but it can lead to a reduced sentence if the judge believes it affected your actions.

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 Posted on August 28, 2025 in Family Law

Being arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) in Ohio can impact more than your criminal record and driving privileges. If you are divorced or going through a divorce, an OVI may also affect your child custody arrangement. Courts across Ohio make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child, and any criminal charges that suggest unsafe behavior can raise concerns about your ability to provide a stable environment.

At The Law Office of Whitney K.S. Miller, LLC, our Brunswick, OH child custody and divorce lawyer understands how stressful it can be to balance criminal charges with family law issues. We offer free consultations in most cases to help you understand your options and protect your parental rights.

How Do Ohio Courts Decide Child Custody?

According to Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 3109.04), courts must consider the best interests of the child when allocating parental rights and responsibilities. Judges look at many factors, such as the child’s relationship with each parent, the child’s adjustment to home and school, and each parent’s ability to give the child what he or she needs.

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 Posted on July 31, 2025 in Divorce

If you receive a personal injury settlement and then begin divorce proceedings, you likely want to know who will end up getting the money. In Ohio, the answer depends on several factors, including the purpose of the payout and when it was awarded. Since personal injury claims often involve both economic and non-economic damages, determining whether the money is marital or separate property can be complicated.

If you are going through a divorce and have received or are expecting a personal injury settlement, speak with a Wayne County, IL family law and personal injury lawyer to understand how Ohio law treats this type of compensation so you can protect your financial future.

How Does Ohio Define Marital vs. Separate Property?

Under Ohio law, courts divide property into two categories: marital and separate. Marital property generally includes assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage. Separate property includes assets that either spouse acquired before the marriage, gifts or inheritances given to one spouse, passive income from separate assets, and compensation awarded for some personal injury cases. Ohio Revised Code § 3105.171 provides the legal framework for how property is categorized and divided during divorce.

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