Kemp Law Group, LLCDublin Family Law Attorney | Kemp Law Group, LLC | Divorce Law Firm2026-09-03T09:42:41Zhttps://www.kemplawgroup.com/feed/atom/WordPressOn Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[How Ohio courts decide who pays private school tuition]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=476052026-09-03T09:42:41Z2026-09-03T09:42:41ZSplitting private school costs during a divorce often sparks tough conversations. Ohio’s standard child support worksheet covers basics like housing and food, but tuition sits outside those guidelines. When you and your co‑parent disagree, a judge can add private school expenses to your support order by using a statutory “deviation.”
What judges look at before ordering tuition
Ohio courts do not use a strict formula for private school. Instead, a judge looks at your family’s history, needs and resources to decide if tuition serves your child’s best interests and fits your budget.Many courts use a four‑factor test from the Kaminski case (summarized in Hammel and Kulis). The judge asks: (1) Is private school in your child’s best interest? (2) Can the paying parent afford it? (3) Did your child already attend private school? (4) Would your child likely have kept attending if you had not divorced?If the standard child support amount would be unfair or not fit your situation, the judge can adjust it. This adjustment is called a “deviation” under Ohio law.You should also expect the court to examine these key points:
Confirm whether your child already attended private school and would likely have stayed enrolled
Compare each parent’s current income and ability to afford tuition without harming basic needs
Assess your child’s academic, medical or special needs that make private school essential
Review any marital agreements or past plans that show both parents intended private education
After reviewing this evidence, the judge can adjust support through a deviation under Ohio law.
How the court structures tuition payments
If the judge approves private school, the order can direct one or both parents to pay the school directly. The court may also modify the monthly financial support for a child or split tuition in proportion to each parent’s share of the combined household income.
Protect your child’s schooling with a clear plan
Strong evidence and clear co‑parenting terms make a real difference. Gather tuition bills, enrollment records and income documents so you can show the court why private school fits your child’s needs and your finances. Working with a family law attorney helps you present this proof and lock in an order that keeps your child’s education on track.]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[How Ohio spouses can address deferred compensation in divorce]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=476032026-08-25T13:36:45Z2026-08-25T13:36:45ZImportant considerations for spouses seeking support
Deferred compensation refers to benefits that a spouse earns but does not receive immediately. When a spouse receives deferred compensation, the other spouse seeking support should consider:
Reviewing all types of compensation: A spouse seeking support should look beyond the other spouse’s base salary. Total compensation may include annual or performance-based bonuses, commissions, incentive payments, stock options, restricted stock units, deferred bonuses and executive benefits. Without a complete accounting of these sources, the spousal support figure may significantly understate what the higher-earning spouse actually receives.
Determining when compensation was earned: Whether a deferred benefit counts as marital income or property often depends on when you earned it relative to the marriage. Courts generally treat benefits you earned during the marriage differently from those you earned before or after it.
Examining the terms of compensation: The spouse seeking support should determine whether the benefit has any conditions or requires continued employment. These terms can help show when the compensation might become available to the spouse.
Complex compensation can require careful financial analysis during a high value divorce. The parties may need to account for these arrangements when negotiating the terms of spousal support.
Why timing and classification matter in Ohio spousal support cases
Deferred compensation can complicate spousal support negotiations, since it may not become accessible until the divorce is final. Ohio courts generally address the division of marital property separately from spousal support. How a court classifies deferred benefit and when that benefit becomes accessible can significantly affect what a final support arrangement looks like. An experienced Ohio divorce attorney can help you evaluate these arrangements before you sign off on an agreement.]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[How Ohio business owners can protect their companies in divorce]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=476012026-08-12T07:03:14Z2026-08-12T07:03:14ZPreserving your business assets during divorce
In Ohio, the court may consider your business marital property if you established it during your marriage. According to the state’s equitable distribution laws, this means the court divides marital property fairly, though not always equally. Here are some steps that may help secure your business during a divorce:
Keep clear business records: Get an independent business valuation, review prenuptial or postnuptial agreements and keep personal and business finances separate to help show the company's value and ownership.
Use agreements to protect ownership: A buy-sell agreement may help limit who owns company shares and help prevent ownership conflicts during a divorce.
Explore settlement options: You can negotiate a buyout or trade other marital assets in exchange for keeping the business.
If the business is subject to division during a divorce, the court may consider a professional valuation. A business valuation examines factors such as assets, liabilities, income, market conditions and future earning potential. The result determines the value of the business or marital interest, while the court determines what property is subject to division.
Plan ahead when divorce is possible
A divorce does not have to mean losing control of the company you worked hard to build. Knowing how Ohio’s laws that apply to your company, keeping accurate financial records and planning properly can help reduce disagreements and safeguard your assets. If divorce becomes a possibility, understanding how it may affect your business can help you prepare for the process.]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[How bonuses and stock options can affect Ohio alimony]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=476002026-08-06T07:26:28Z2026-08-06T07:26:28ZFinancial disclosure rules in Ohio divorce law
Under Ohio law, courts review all earnings and financial resources of both parties, not just base wages. Variable pay, including annual bonuses and stock grants, falls within this broad legal scrutiny. Judges use wide discretion when weighing all income sources, making full financial disclosure critical for both sides.
Court’s approach to bonus income
Judges rarely use just one year's bonus to set income. Instead, they average bonuses over several years to get a more reliable figure. This method stops one unusually high or low year from unfairly affecting the support amount. Courts also distinguish between guaranteed and discretionary bonuses, as the law treats these two types very differently.
Stock options: A distinct valuation challenge
Stock-based pay presents specific challenges that courts must evaluate with care:
Vested awards hold direct cash value, while unvested grants depend on continued work and future market shifts.
Courts compare grant dates against the marriage timeline to accurately classify equity awards.
Changing share prices make exact valuation hard, often requiring input from certified financial professionals.
Courts treat this process with strict rigor, and each party's legal counsel must do the same.
Practical steps for high-income individuals
To build a strong position during divorce, both parties gain real value by keeping clean financial records from the start. Holding physical and digital copies of documents like pay agreements, equity vesting schedules and past award records gives the court solid data to analyze.
Working with a financial advisor or legal professional can help in sorting and verifying these files. This level of care is a direct path to cutting down on disputes, helping everyone reach a fair and efficient resolution.]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[What happens to a business when business partners divorce?]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=475962026-07-20T08:09:41Z2026-07-20T08:09:41ZWhen spouses own and operate a business together, divorce can affect far more than their personal relationship. They must also decide what happens to the company they built side by side. For many couples, the business reflects years of shared effort, financial investment and long-term planning. It may also provide the family's primary source of income.
As the marriage ends, the spouses must separate not only their personal lives but also their professional partnership. Understanding how Ohio courts approach these cases can help spouses prepare for the decisions ahead.
How Ohio courts handle a jointly owned business
A jointly owned business often becomes one of the most valuable assets to address during a divorce. In Ohio, courts aim for an equitable division of marital property, but that does not necessarily mean each spouse receives half of the business itself. The process often begins with a professional business valuation. An appraiser may examine the company's assets, debts, revenue, future earning potential and other financial records to determine its fair market value. The court can then consider that value alongside the rest of the marital estate when dividing property.The court may also evaluate each spouse's role in building and operating the business. Even if one spouse handled daily operations while the other focused on finances, administration or unpaid support that allowed the business to grow, both contributions may influence the outcome.
What options do spouses have?
After determining the business's value, the next step is deciding what will happen to ownership. The right solution depends on the company's finances, the spouses' ability to work together and their long-term goals. Possible outcomes include:
One spouse buys the other's ownership interest
The spouses continue operating the business together after the divorce
The business is sold and the proceeds are divided
One spouse keeps the business while the other receives additional marital assets to balance the overall property division
Each option carries financial and practical consequences. Before making any decisions, spouses should understand how each option could affect both the business and their financial stability after divorce.
Planning for the next chapter
The end of a marriage can also mark the end of a shared business venture, making the transition especially complex. Thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of Ohio law can help spouses make informed decisions that protect both their financial interests and the future of the business whenever possible.An experienced Ohio divorce attorney can explain how state law applies to a jointly owned business and provide guidance tailored to the family's unique circumstances.
]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Are an artist’s royalties subject to division during divorce?]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=475952026-07-10T13:20:09Z2026-07-10T13:20:09ZRoyalties are payments artists and creators may receive when others use their intellectual property such as books, songs, scripts, patents and other protected works. Will these streams of revenue be subject to division during divorce?
Well, the answer largely depends on timing and whether or not the artist had a prenup in place.
When were the intellectual property rights acquired?
In Ohio divorce cases, the law views properties differently depending on when a spouse acquired them. This timing usually creates two distinct scenarios.
Before marriage
Ohio law usually considers the properties or wealth that an artist acquired before marriage, including royalties, as separate property. As a result, an Ohio court may exclude the royalty earnings from the division. Further, the court may consider the royalties earned from premarital intellectual property during the marriage as separate property too.
After marriage
Because Ohio follows equitable distribution law, the state deems any property or wealth a spouse acquires during the marriage as marital property. Similarly, if an artist created or acquired the intellectual property during the marriage, the court may treat the associated royalty rights as marital property and divide them among the couple.
What if the artist has a prenup?
Spouses generally realize the importance of prenups only during the divorce. An artist who signed a prenup that explicitly excluded royalties from the marital assets can use it in court to protect those royalties. However, disputes may arise over whether the agreement was signed without coercion or included adequate financial disclosure.
Why are royalty cases never simple?
Cases involving royalties are highly complex. They require a detailed understanding of state family law and federal copyright frameworks. An artist who is going through a divorce may benefit from consulting a legal guide who has experience in asset divorce to protect their creative legacy.]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Is your spouse suddenly spending marital assets?]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=475942026-07-04T20:43:56Z2026-07-04T20:43:56ZWhen many high-net-worth couples get divorced, there are issues with hidden assets. One person may not fully disclose all of the assets that they own. They may transfer assets to someone else, like a family member, just to keep them out of property division. It is important to look for any red flags and warning signs, such as sudden financial transfers, in advance.
As you do this, though, you may also see that your spouse's spending habits have changed. They are suddenly spending far more of the marital assets than you would have expected. Why are they doing this?
Dissipating marital assets
This could be problematic if they intend to dissipate or spend down those assets. They may be trying to keep you from getting what you otherwise would deserve during property division.This is sometimes an issue when one spouse has a high-income job and provides most of the financial income for the family. The couple may have been saving a significant amount of money, planning to use it to secure their future or retire together.But the high-income spouse may decide to spend the money as quickly as they can, simply in an effort to waste those savings. This reduces the value of the account so that they have to split less money with their ex during property division. They are just counting on using their high income to earn the money back after the divorce.
What are your legal options?
If you believe your spouse is intentionally dissipating assets, there are steps you can take to help ensure that you still receive the appropriate share of the marital estate during property division. It is important to know what type of evidence to gather and what legal options you have.
]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[3 things to remember if you’re divorcing a narcissist]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=475932026-06-25T13:51:29Z2026-06-25T13:51:29ZMany divorces have at least some level of contention, but that’s usually much worse when one party is a narcissist. By nature, a narcissist is unable to think about anyone other than themselves. They will often focus on being able to control the situation and winning, so they aren’t concerned with finding a practical solution to the divorce matters.
If you’re going through a divorce involving a narcissistic spouse, you should remember that you shouldn’t label them with the narcissist label in court unless there’s a specific diagnosis by a licensed medical professional. Even if you can’t bring up the narcissism in court, you can take specific steps to help throughout the process.
1: Narcissists gain power from your emotions
Narcissists try to invoke emotions in others as a way to feel more powerful. Keeping your emotions under control when you’re dealing with the narcissist is critical, but it’s not always easy. Some people turn to written communication instead of verbal communication so they can write out a reply and then review it before sending it.
2: Narcissists live in a self-centered fantasy land
A narcissist creates a fantasy land where they’re the center of the universe. They don’t see regular life the way other people do. They will lie and misstate facts to try to meet their own narrative. Combatting this can be challenging, so it’s beneficial to keep all documentation and proof of everything related to the divorce, property or children.
3: Narcissists delay divorces
Because of their desire to be in charge, narcissists will often try to control what happens during a divorce. Many work to delay the process as much as possible, usually because they know that it will likely cost you money and because they think the delay is harming you. One of the most effective ways to prevent this is to have strong legal representation to protect your interests during the divorce.
]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Primary considerations when executives divorce ]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=475922026-06-10T14:31:41Z2026-06-10T14:31:41ZDivorce is challenging for any couple, but executives and other high-income professionals often must navigate a veritable maze of financial concerns before reaching an equitable settlement. For starters, executives must carefully consider how divorce may affect compensation packages, business interests, professional reputation and long-term financial security.For example, many executives receive more than just a salary. Stock options, restricted stock units, performance bonuses, deferred compensation plans and other incentive-based benefits may represent a substantial portion of their marital estate. Determining whether these assets are marital or separate property, and accurately valuing them, often requires detailed financial analysis.Business ownership and leadership interests can also complicate divorce proceedings when at least one spouse is an executive. An executive may own shares in a closely held company, hold partnership interests or possess rights under employment agreements that affect future earnings. Protecting the continuity of a particular business while ensuring an equitable property division often becomes a major focus of negotiations in such scenarios.Privacy is another potentially significant concern. Executives frequently wish to avoid public disclosure of sensitive financial information, business operations or personal matters. High-profile professionals may face additional scrutiny from shareholders, employees, clients or the media if divorce disputes become highly contentious.Future earning capacity may also impact the direction that divorce negotiations need to take. Courts may consider not only current compensation but also anticipated bonuses, incentive awards and career opportunities when evaluating support obligations. Because executive compensation structures can fluctuate from year to year, determining income for support purposes is often more complicated than reviewing a traditional paycheck.
Taking action
Because executive divorces often involve substantial assets and sophisticated financial structures, early planning is necessary. An experienced high-asset divorce legal team can work with financial experts to address these complex issues and help executives pursue solutions that protect both their personal and professional futures during this major life transition. ]]>On Behalf of Kemp Law Group, LLC<![CDATA[Can divorce expose your private business finances?]]>https://www.kemplawgroup.com/?p=475902026-06-04T14:19:19Z2026-06-04T14:19:19ZIf you own a business, hold a partnership interest or receive executive pay, divorce can raise a private concern. How much of your financial life will others see?
In an Ohio high-asset divorce, business records may matter. They can affect property division, support and settlement talks. Still, that does not mean every private detail becomes public. It means the case may require a careful review of income, ownership, debt and business value.
Why business records may matter
Ohio courts need a clear picture of the marital estate before dividing property. State law requires courts to classify assets as marital and separate property, then divide marital property in a fair way.For business owners, this review often goes beyond a bank balance. The case may involve records such as:
Profit and loss statements
Tax returns
Payroll records
Buy-sell agreements
Partnership or operating agreements
Debt schedules
Accounts receivable
Business valuation reports
These records help answer basic but important questions. What does the business own? What does it owe? How much income does it produce? Did the business grow during the marriage? Does the owner’s pay reflect actual earning capacity?
Privacy concerns deserve attention
Many owners worry that divorce will expose trade secrets, customer details or private pricing information. Executives may have similar concerns about stock awards, bonuses, deferred pay or nonpublic company records.Those concerns should come up early. A divorce involving high-value marital property may require careful handling of business documents. This matters even more when records affect employees, partners, investors or clients.In some cases, attorneys may discuss ways to reduce needless exposure. That may include narrower document requests, confidentiality agreements or court orders that limit how others use sensitive records. The right option depends on the type of information, the dispute and the level of financial sensitivity involved.
Ownership is not the only issue
Some business owners focus only on whether a spouse can claim part of the business. That question matters, but it is not the whole picture.Business finances may also affect spousal support, child support, cash flow analysis and settlement terms. A company may look profitable on paper while carrying heavy debt or major reinvestment needs. An owner may receive irregular income through bonuses, distributions or retained earnings. A valuation may also depend on the owner’s personal reputation, client relationships or professional license.These details can shape the divorce even when one spouse keeps the business.
Preparation can reduce surprises
You do not need to wait for formal discovery to think about privacy. Start by identifying which records show personal income, business value, debt, ownership limits and future compensation.It also helps to keep business and personal expenses separate. Unclear spending can create suspicion, slow negotiations and make financial records harder to explain.For owners, partners and executives in the Columbus suburbs, the concern is rarely just “Will I lose the business?” A better question is, “How do I protect the value, privacy and stability of what I built while still meeting Ohio’s divorce requirements?”
Private finances need a careful plan
Divorce can bring business finances into view. With the right preparation, the process can stay more focused and controlled.When substantial assets, ownership interests or executive compensation are involved, the details matter. A careful review of records, value and privacy concerns can help you understand what may become relevant before the case moves too far.]]>