The Nigh Law Group, LLCThe Nigh Law Group, LLC2026-11-09T23:27:25Zhttps://www.nighlawgroup.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1304197/2025/08/cropped-nigh-siteicon-512px-32x32.pngOn Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Co-parents: Setting boundaries with family during the holidays]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=473172026-11-09T23:27:25Z2026-11-09T23:27:25ZThe holiday season often inspires opportunities for children to spend time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. Unfortunately, when parents are divorced or separated, extended family members can sometimes complicate holiday arrangements for the worse, especially if co-parents aren’t proactive in re: addressing concerns that are relatively easy to anticipate.
To that end, establishing healthy boundaries – and formalizing related expectations within the borders of a parenting agreement – can potentially help co-parents to protect their children's emotional well-being while preserving meaningful family relationships.
Crafting and executing an informed approach
One common challenge involves relatives who criticize one parent or the other openly. Grandparents or other family members may express frustration about a divorce, question parenting decisions or make negative comments within children's hearing. Even well-intentioned remarks can place children in uncomfortable situations. Co-parents should make it clear that disparaging either parent is unacceptable. Children deserve to enjoy holiday gatherings without feeling pressured to defend someone they love or take sides in adult disagreements.Scheduling presents another potential concern. Extended family members may expect children to attend traditional celebrations regardless of established parenting arrangements. However, grandparents' preferences should not override court-ordered parenting schedules or agreements between parents. Communicating expectations early can help prevent conflict. Parents can let relatives know when children will be available, which celebrations they can attend and whether alternative gathering dates might be necessary.Gift-giving can also create tension. Some relatives may purchase extravagant presents, make promises without parental approval or attempt to compete with the other household. Establishing reasonable expectations about gifts and major purchases can help maintain consistency.When possible, co-parents should establish consistent expectations concerning extended family involvement overall. However, each parent may need to address concerns directly with their own relatives rather than expecting the other parent to intervene.At the end of the day, setting respectful boundaries can help to allow children to enjoy extended family relationships without becoming caught up in unnecessary conflict. When parents need help crafting and/or enforcing these boundaries, seeking personalized legal guidance is always an option. ]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Divorcing a spouse with dementia in Ohio]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=473142026-10-26T23:16:54Z2026-10-26T23:16:54ZEnding a marriage when one spouse has dementia often involves particularly sensitive legal, financial and emotional challenges. For Ohio couples, understanding how cognitive impairment affects divorce proceedings is important when considering the future of both spouses.
A dementia diagnosis does not automatically prevent someone from getting divorced. However, the condition may affect that person's ability to understand legal proceedings, make informed decisions or participate meaningfully in negotiations. Because dementia can progress differently among individuals, the severity of cognitive impairment matters when it comes to what needs to be done for couples to resolve their circumstances.
Every case is unique
When a spouse lacks the capacity to participate independently, specific legal protections may become necessary. An Ohio court may appoint a guardian ad litem or take other appropriate measures to protect the interests of an incapacitated spouse. Existing guardianship arrangements can also complicate divorce proceedings.Ohio follows an equitable distribution approach to marital property, meaning courts generally divide marital assets equally unless an unequal division would be more equitable. When one spouse has dementia, dividing retirement accounts, investments, real estate and other assets may require careful consideration of anticipated long-term care expenses.Additionally, a spouse living with dementia may have limited earning capacity and substantial medical or caregiving needs. Ohio courts consider multiple factors when determining whether spousal support is appropriate, including income, health, age and financial resources.These situations can be emotionally difficult, particularly when one spouse has spent years providing care for the other. Nevertheless, seeking a divorce does not eliminate the importance of protecting both parties' legal rights.An experienced Ohio legal team can explain available options, address capacity concerns and help pursue an appropriate resolution while considering the financial and personal needs of everyone involved. ]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Unique considerations when tradwives divorce]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=472952026-10-18T19:02:39Z2026-10-18T19:02:39ZThe so-called traditional wife, or "tradwife," lifestyle has gained attention in recent years, largely through social media, inspiring some women to embrace conventional homemaking roles while their husbands serve as primary breadwinners.
Although this arrangement can work well for some families, divorce may create unique financial andpractical challenges for spouses who have devoted years to managing the household rather than pursuing paid employment.
Primary concerns
A tradwife may have limited personal savings, little recent employment history or no independent income. If her husband controls most household finances, understanding her family's assets, debts and financial obligations can become especially important when it comes to seeking a fair and reasonable divorce settlement.Even when one spouse earns the household income, assets accumulated during marriage may qualify as marital property under applicable state law. Contributions through childcare, household management and supporting a spouse's career can be relevant to the overall financial circumstances of the marriage.Yet, a woman who stepped away from employment to raise children might need financial assistance while pursuing education, updating professional skills or reentering the workforce too, and that’s okay. Whether support is available, how much is awarded and how long it continues depend on the circumstances at issue, in addition to governing law.When a marriage has evolved in observance of traditional gender roles, it may be even more important than usual for spouses to clarify their rights and expectations with a skilled legal team. Thankfully, this kind of personalized legal guidance is always available. ]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Looking past wages in a divorce]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=472922026-10-03T01:28:05Z2026-10-03T01:28:05ZIf you are dividing assets during a divorce, you are likely going to consider the money that your spouse earned during your marriage. It likely qualifies as a marital asset, meaning they have to divide those earnings with you, even though they were technically the one receiving the paychecks.
For many hourly workers, and even salaried employees, their earnings may simply be the money they were paid for their time at work. But for executives and other high-ranking officials, there are often other types of earnings to consider. It could go far beyond wages, and you need to understand exactly what options you have to divide all of those earnings correctly.
Stock options
One example is if your spouse was paid in stock in the company or given stock options, which give them the ability to purchase those stocks at a set price.Depending on the growth of the company, this stock could be incredibly valuable. This is especially true if your spouse started at the company when it was very small or was even one of the founders. Their ownership in that business could have increased many times over while they were working there.
Bonuses and commissions
Additionally, executives are sometimes paid bonuses based on the performance of the company itself. If the business has done well and generated increasing revenue, bonuses can significantly add to executives’ yearly earnings.Likewise, some workers are paid commissions. They may get an hourly wage, but, based on their sales or the work that they do, they have a chance to earn additional commissions that go on top of those wages.As you can see, looking merely at their hourly earnings could leave a significant amount of assets on the table. While going through a high-asset divorce, it can help to work with an experienced attorney to ensure that you fully understand all of the assets to which you are entitled.]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[How are retained earnings treated in a high-asset divorce?]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=472832026-09-14T16:35:28Z2026-09-14T16:35:28ZSometimes, a closely held business will keep some of its profits rather than distributing them to its owners. Those “retained earnings” might be used to cover operating expenses, expansion efforts, equipment needs or even to manage seasonal cash-flow fluctuations. When an owner divorces, however, those retained earnings can become an issue – particularly when the business has been set aside as that spouse’s separate property via a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. The spouse who owns the business may argue that the money belongs to the company. The other spouse may allege that profits are being purposefully held back just to keep marital funds hidden so they won’t be divided in the divorce. They may also accuse the owner-spouse of trying to reduce their visible income to reduce how much spousal or child support they may pay.
Control and purpose matter when it comes to retained profits
In general, the court may look at several different factors to determine how the earnings will be treated. For example, the legitimacy of the reason given for retaining the earnings may need to be examined, as well as the history of the company. If similar shares of the earnings have been routinely retained over the years, that’s less suspicious than when the practice is new. Another issue is whether the owner-spouse has the power to decide when profits are distributed. A sole owner, for example, is going to have more ability to decide whether money gets folded back into the business than a minor shareholder. Tax returns alone may not show whether retained earnings are reasonable. Corporate records, bank statements, distribution histories, budgets and capital expenditures can provide important context. A valuation expert will likely be needed to speak to the accurate worth of the business.Whether you own the business or believe your spouse is using one to conceal available income, an experienced Ohio family law attorney can work with financial professionals to determine how retained earnings should affect the division of property and any potential support award.]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Can co-parenting therapy help during divorce? ]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=472342026-08-30T02:53:46Z2026-08-30T02:53:46ZDivorce ends a marriage, but when former spouses share minor children, it does not end their need to interact. Decisions about school, medical care, activities, holidays and parenting schedules generally require ongoing communication for years. When emotions surrounding divorce make those conversations difficult, co-parenting therapy may help parents develop a more workable relationship.
Unlike traditional couples therapy, co-parenting therapy is generally not focused on repairing one’s marriage. Instead, the emphasis is on helping parents communicate and solve parenting problems while keeping their children's needs at the center of the process. Parents may learn strategies for handling disagreements, establishing boundaries and discussing sensitive subjects without allowing every conversation to become an argument.
Is co-parenting therapy worth consideration for your changing family?
Co-parenting therapy can be particularly useful during the transition period wherein one household is splitting into two. Parents may need help to determine how they will handle exchanges, discipline, homework, extracurricular activities and communication with children when they are apart. A therapist can help identify recurring sources of conflict and develop practical strategies for addressing them, before arrangements are formalized with the assistance of a skilled legal team. Co-parenting therapy may also help parents to more effectively recognize behaviors that place children – unintentionally – in the middle. Asking children to deliver messages, questioning them about the other household or criticizing the other parent in their presence can increase stress. Developing direct, businesslike communication between parents may reduce that pressure.Therapy does not mean parents must become friends or agree about everything. In high-conflict situations, success might simply mean learning to communicate briefly, respectfully and only about necessary parenting matters. And ultimately, some families may determine that a parallel parenting approach with limited direct interaction works better.Co-parenting therapy cannot resolve every custody disagreement, and serious safety concerns may require legal intervention rather than improved communication alone. Still, when both parents can participate appropriately, therapy may provide valuable tools for creating a healthier post-divorce parenting relationship.]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Which spouse gets the country club membership in a divorce?]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=471962026-08-17T02:57:31Z2026-08-17T02:57:31ZCountry club memberships often represent much more than access to a golf course or dining room. For some couples, membership is tied to friendships, professional networking, family traditions and a substantial financial investment.
As a result of this complex association with a country club, a divorcing couple may understandably wonder whether one, both or neither of them will remain empowered to stay members after their marital union has officially been dissolved.
Each couple’s circumstances are unique
Each divorce is unique, and each country club's membership rules are unique. Therefore, one couple’s circumstances may not play out exactly like another’s. Some memberships are issued in one spouse's name, with the other spouse receiving privileges as a result of their marriage. Once the couple’s divorce becomes final, those spousal privileges may end. Other clubs may permit a membership to be transferred, divided or converted into separate memberships under certain circumstances.Money can complicate matters further. Initiation fees at exclusive clubs can be substantial, and a membership may involve equity, refundable deposits or other financial interests. If marital funds were used to acquire or maintain the membership, the financial realities may need to be considered during property division. Even when only one spouse can retain membership privileges, the other spouse may argue that the membership's monetary value should be addressed as part of their overall divorce settlement.Couples should investigate these issues rather than assuming the spouse who plays more golf automatically keeps the membership. Reviewing membership agreements, bylaws and club policies with a skilled legal team can help clarify whether a membership is transferable, whether it carries a measurable financial value and what needs to happen in the wake of a decision to divorce. ]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Is your ex-spouse entitled to a share of your bonus?]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=471942026-08-05T17:45:15Z2026-08-05T17:45:15ZCompensation structures that feature handsome bonuses can represent a significant portion of an executive's or professional's compensation. When a spouse who is entitled to such bonuses divorces, their ex (or soon-to-be ex) may or may not be entitled to a share of this type of compensation.
Whether a bonus is considered marital property or separate property depends on several factors, including when it was earned, what it was intended to compensate and the unique ins-and-outs of a divorcing couple’s circumstances. There is no automatic rule that every bonus must be divided equally.
The basics of dividing bonuses in a divorce
Bonuses paid before a divorce is finalized are often considered marital property, if only to a degree. If a bonus was earned via work performed during the marriage, it may be considered a marital asset even if payment occurs shortly before or after a divorce decree is entered. Marital vs. non-marital asset analysis generally becomes more complicated when a bonus is paid after the divorce is finalized. Some post-divorce bonuses are intended to reward past performance that occurred during the marriage, while others compensate an employee for future work or encourage them to remain with the company. A retention bonus, signing bonus or incentive tied to future performance may be treated differently from an annual performance bonus based primarily on work completed before the formal end of one’s marriage.To add to the potential “chaos,” high-asset divorces frequently involve more than a single annual bonus. Stock-based incentives, deferred compensation, profit-sharing awards and long-term incentive plans may all require careful analysis. Proper valuation and classification of these forms of compensation can have a substantial impact on a couple’s overall property division outcome.If you anticipate receiving a significant bonus before or after your divorce, it is important to seek legal guidance early. An experienced legal ream can evaluate your compensation structure, explain how Ohio law may apply to your circumstances and work to protect your financial interests while pursuing a fair and equitable resolution to your circumstances. ]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Options for your family business during a divorce]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=471882026-07-21T19:02:35Z2026-07-21T19:02:35ZGetting divorced as business owners can make things more complicated. You and your spouse may be equal owners in the business, having started it after you were already married. This means that it is a marital asset, and you have to determine how you are going to address it during the divorce.
Fortunately, you do have a few different options. What works best for you will depend on the unique details of your case.
You can keep working together
To begin with, some couples get divorced and continue to work together as business partners. There is nothing prohibiting you from doing so. There may be important steps to take to establish your new relationship, like drafting a partnership agreement, but you absolutely can continue working together after your marriage ends.
You could both sell the business
Often, though, couples cannot imagine working together. Instead, they just sell the company. This makes it easier to divide their assets. They take the money earned in the sale, split it between themselves and go their separate ways.
One person could remain as the sole owner
Finally, there are cases where one spouse decides to keep the business. They have to buy out the ownership share held by the other spouse. Some business owners have the cash on hand to do this directly during the divorce. Others will agree to give up different marital assets, like a family home or a retirement account, if they are awarded full ownership of the business.These are all viable options, and it is important to consider them carefully while going through the legal process of a divorce.
]]>On Behalf of The Nigh Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[3 ways to make divorce easier for your children]]>https://www.nighlawgroup.com/?p=471792026-07-13T19:03:12Z2026-07-13T19:03:12ZIf you have minor children and are divorcing, you are probably concerned about how it will affect them. The truth is that it will likely be tough for them to come to terms with. The good news is that as parents, you have the chance to make it easier for them.Here are three things that may help:
1. Put the children first
Divorce courts put the focus on what is best for the children. You, as parents, should do the same. This translates into things like putting aside your marital difficulties with your spouse and focusing on how to co-parent effectively, cooperating on schedules and generally making sure that the children know that they are still loved and supported by both of you.
2. Refrain from attributing blame
Things can get tense in a divorce, and many parents end up having heated arguments. There may be a time and place for that, but it is never in front of the children. Do not involve your children in the "blame game" for the divorce. Whatever the reasons, you need only tell the children that you and their other parent are no longer compatible.
3. Provide reassurance
It’s important to reassure your children that things are going to be okay. Explain to them both the things that will change and the things that won’t. You also need to make clear that they are not to blame for the marriage ending, as children can often think they are. There are non-verbal ways of reassuring them, too, such as maintaining consistency where possible. For example, keeping the rules similar between households and carrying on some of the activities and family traditions you had when all living together.When it comes to the legal side of divorce, there are also ways you can go about things that will make life simpler for you and your children. Seeking experienced legal guidance can help with this.]]>