Best Divorce Lawyers Cleveland
BRADLEY HULL IV
Divorce Lawyers
Bradley Hull IV is a Shareholder of Cavitch, Familo & Durkin Co. LPA. His primary practice areas include Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Real Estate law, Family law, and Small Business law.
Common needs within these areas of practice, whether for clients of modest or substantial means, include those related to Revocable Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, NFA Trusts, Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Probate Administration, Guardianships, Adoptions, Name Changes, Deed preparation, Lease preparation, Easements, Subsurface rights, Zoning, Tax Abatements, Code Violations, Property Tax Complaints, Adverse Possession, Commercial Evictions, business formation to acquire, hold and transfer real estate, Divorce, Dissolution of Marriage, Custody, Child Support, Post-Judgment matters, Prenuptial Agreements, Juvenile Court representation for unmarried parents, Small Business formation, Contract preparation, Contract review, Buy-Sell Agreements, Mergers, and Dissolutions. For more than a decade, Brad has advised and helped clients navigate issues related to each of these, and many other services.
Brad frequently represents clients in the Common Pleas Courts and Municipal Courts of Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula and Summit counties, but has appeared in actions throughout the State of Ohio.
Brad has also served as expert witness, and taught continuing education courses to attorneys. In addition, Brad serves as a member of the Highland Heights Planning and Zoning Commission.
Brad is a graduate of John Carroll University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
He has been named as an Ohio Rising Star attorney, an award given to the top 2.5% of attorneys under age 40, in 2012, and 2014-2021.
Brad and his wife are the proud parents of three growing boys. On weekends when he is not working, you can find him at the local baseball field or basketball court cheering for his kids and their teams, or otherwise enjoying being outdoors.
Brian M. Urban
Divorce Lawyers
Brian M. Urban strives to offer his clients the opportunity to effectively participate, with his guidance, in processes designed to reach resolution of their family law matters without court intervention. His clients choose from the array of collaborative divorce, mediation, kitchen table and lawyer negotiation processes. Brian is able to provide his guidance by drawing upon multiple decades of experience as a litigator, advisor and negotiator since his 1979 admission to the practice of law in Ohio. He has been a Certified Specialist in family relations law in Ohio since the inception of that specialization certification in 2001. Martindale Hubbell’s Law Directory has awarded its top AV rating to Brian for over twenty consecutive years.*
Brian has eagerly embraced the emergence of Collaborative Divorce as a meaningful alternative to those clients who wish to minimize the impact of a divorce or other family crisis upon their children, preserve their ability to communicate with their former spouses, and obtain a divorce or other resolution with their dignity intact. Brian is a founding member, past president and a director of the Cleveland Academy of Collaborative Professionals, the first professional organization in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio that is solely devoted to furthering collaborative practice for the benefit of divorcing couples and other families in transition.
Brian earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from John Carroll University and J.D. degree, cum laude, from Cleveland State University. He appears in the Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, has been selected as one of the Leading Lawyers in Northeastern Ohio, and has been selected as one of Ohio’s Super Lawyers. Brian is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan, the Ohio State, and the American Bar Associations, and has been admitted to the bars of both the State of Ohio and the United States Supreme Court.
MARY J. BIACSI
Divorce Lawyers
Mary J. Biacsi has been practicing law since 1990. Her practice is focused on Family Law. After years of advocating for clients in the litigation arena and representing hundreds of children as a Guardian ad Litem, she has witnessed first-hand the havoc the litigation process inflicts on families. Given her many experiences of witnessing families being torn apart, Mary shifted her practice to focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Mary has fully embraced the Collaborative Divorce Process and Mediation. These alternative methods to litigation provide a couple with a safe space to address their differences in a dignified, respectful and private manner. It is her firm belief that, with the right support and knowledge, a couple can come to a resolution that meets their family’s specific and unique needs.
Sherry
Divorce Lawyers
Sherry was raised on a farm in Huron County, Ohio by two wonderful parents, who instilled in Sherry morals, work ethics and due diligence, which has been an asset in her practice of law. Sherry has a younger brother, sister-in-law and two nephews. She has a beautiful teenage daughter who never ceases to amaze Sherry with her accomplishments. Her daughter is an honor student, a cheerleader and dances competitively.
Sherry was born with a club foot, which required multiple surgeries during her youth. At the age of nine, she was involved in a medical malpractice case when her podiatrist incorrectly applied a cast on her leg, which caused an infection. During the pendency of the lawsuit and observing the legal process, Sherry came to the realization that she wished to pursue a career in law in order to help others the way she was cared for by her attorney. The judge and attorneys involved in her case attempted to persuade her to pursue another career path, but she was persistent and diligently worked towards her goal to become an attorney to assist others in need.Sherry earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, from The University of Toledo in 1994. She earned her Juris Doctorate from The University of Toledo, College of Law in 1998. After being admitted into the State of Ohio Bar, Sherry served as a Staff Attorney for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations for 11 ½ years. During her tenure as a Staff Attorney, Sherry assisted judges and magistrates with various complex legal issues and was a member of various committees, including the Legal Forms Committee and the Local Rules Committee. Sherry is trained in collaborative law and mediation. She contributes to the legal treatise of Sowald & Morganstern’s Domestic Relations Law and the Domestic Relations Journal of Ohio by Thomson Reuters, both premier legal resources.
Lindsay Nickolls
Divorce Lawyers
Education:
- Juris Doctor at Cleveland Marshall College of Law
- Master of Social Work at University of Michigan
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Pennsylvania State University
Certifications:
- Certified Guardian Ad Litem
- Certified Mediator
Lindsay Nickolls’ career as a child and family advocate began during her master’s degree studies in social work at the University of Michigan. She counseled children and families using “love and logic” and other solution-focused techniques to help them deal with divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence, delinquency and other issues. To advance her goal of becoming an advocate for families in crisis, Lindsay pursued a career in law, earning her degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She has used both her degrees to focus on her practice as a family law attorney, mediator, parenting coordinator, guardian and estate planner. The combination of law and social work gives Lindsay a unique perspective on domestic, elder and estate planning matters. Although she has been trained as a litigator, her experience has convinced her that mediation is a more effective, less contentious forum, allowing people to come to a resolution best suited to their personal and family goals. As both an advocate and educator, Lindsay keeps her clients informed, and also encourages her clients to ask questions and educate themselves on possible outcomes. True to her social work background, she works with individuals in making informed decisions that are in the best interest of both the individual and their family.
Lila Dawud Raslan
Divorce Lawyers
Lila focuses her practice on family law and complex civil litigation. She has been with the firm and its predecessor since 2001. She is licensed to practice in all courts of Ohio. Lila also has extensive experience on a variety of immigration matters including student visas, labor visas, transfer of executive and managerial personnel, deportation and removal proceedings.
Specialties:
- Family Law
- Immigration
- Medical Practice Consulting
- Probate
Education:
- West Virginia University School of Law, J.D., 1998
- The University of Michigan, B.A., 1982
Professional Associations:
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Bar Admissions:
- State of Ohio
- United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Erin Adams Armstrong
Divorce Lawyers
Erin is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a graduate of Hilliard High School, now known as Hilliard Davidson. Erin proudly graduated from the University of Notre Dame and reminds herself each day to “Play Like a Champion Today.” After earning a B.A. in Government with a concentration in Peace Studies, Erin attended The Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, where she earned an award for Excellence in Criminal Defense Practicum and was very involved in student body activities.
Upon completing her formal education, Erin started her career with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland in its Family Law Unit. After having the privilege of working with the talented lawyers there for nearly five years, Erin entered private practice where she has been both associated with a firm and a sole practitioner.
Erin has significant experience representing individuals in all aspects of Family Law. She has handled cases with marital estates made up solely of debts to marital estates worth millions of dollars. Many people believe that a family law practitioner is simply a divorce lawyer. While divorce is certainly a component of family law, Family Law is a much broader subject area and covers cases that would be heard in the Domestic Relations, Probate, and Juvenile Divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. Please see the subject areas listed above to learn more about the areas of law handled by Armstrong Law Offices. Erin practices routinely in the greater Cleveland area including Cuyahoga County, Lake County, Lorain County, and Medina County.
Erin resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband and two children. She has the unique perspective of having an adopted child and a biological child and is very committed to increasing awareness of adoption in our community. Erin spokes to various community groups on the topics of family law in general, unique issues in family law facing the working poor, and father’s rights as well as women’s rights.
JOHN V. HEUTSCHE
Divorce Lawyers
I have actively practiced as a lawyer in the Cleveland, Ohio, area for more than four decades, including more than 43 years focused on family law. I welcome the opportunity to serve you and your family.
I represent clients from all cultural, social and professional backgrounds in matters that involve divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support and other family law issues. In every situation, I work to help my clients find the most effective way to solve their problems without unnecessary conflict and expense.
I was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1973 and admitted to practice in the Northeast District of the federal court in 1974. I have been active in the legal community since then, presenting in seminars for other lawyers, training guardians ad Litem in court, serving as a trustee for the Center for Principled Family Advocacy, and involved in other leadership roles. I am an experienced trial lawyer. I also practice in the appellate courts throughout the state.
I have extensive experience in complex financial matters, high income cases and business valuations as well as dealing with both private and governmental retirement plans .
Having the best divorce lawyer in Cleveland can offer several advantages:
Local Expertise: A top divorce lawyer in Cleveland will have a deep understanding of Ohio’s specific divorce laws, including those that apply in Cuyahoga County (where Cleveland is located). This local expertise can be invaluable in navigating the legal system effectively.
Familiarity with Cleveland Courts: They will be familiar with the judges, court personnel, and local practices in Cleveland, which can help streamline proceedings and potentially lead to more favorable outcomes.
Experience in Handling Cleveland Cases: The best divorce lawyers in Cleveland will have a history of successfully handling cases in the region. This means they have a thorough understanding of the local legal landscape.
Negotiation Skills: Skilled divorce lawyers are adept at negotiation. They can advocate for your interests while seeking mutually acceptable solutions, potentially leading to a smoother and less contentious process.
Child Custody Expertise: If children are involved, a top divorce lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of child custody and visitation arrangements, always prioritizing the best interests of the child.
Property Division Guidance: They can provide guidance on the equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, ensuring that you receive a fair share of the property acquired during the marriage.
Spousal Support and Alimony: A skilled lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations regarding spousal support or alimony, if applicable.
Emotional Support and Objectivity: Divorce can be emotionally challenging. A capable lawyer can provide support and offer an objective perspective to help you make rational decisions.
Legal Document Preparation and Filing: Your lawyer will handle the preparation and filing of all necessary legal documents, ensuring that everything is done correctly and in a timely manner.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Without legal representation, individuals may make costly mistakes in the divorce process. A top divorce lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls and ensure that all aspects of your case are handled correctly.
Potential for Quicker Resolution: A skilled lawyer can help expedite the process by ensuring that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time. This can lead to a quicker resolution, allowing you to move forward with your life.
Counsel for Complex Issues: If your divorce involves complex financial matters, business interests, or unique circumstances, a top lawyer will have the expertise to navigate these challenges effectively.
Regarding the impact of divorce on spouses’ finances, it can be significant. Here are some common financial implications of divorce:
Division of Assets and Debts: Marital property and debts are typically divided between spouses. This can impact both parties’ financial standing.
Alimony or Spousal Support: Depending on the circumstances, one spouse may be required to provide financial support to the other after the divorce.
Changes in Living Arrangements: The cost of living for both spouses may change after divorce, especially if one party has to establish a new household.
Legal Fees and Costs: The process of divorce itself can be expensive, particularly if it involves complex financial matters or goes to trial.
Tax Consequences: Changes in filing status, exemptions, and deductions can affect both parties’ tax situations.
Retirement Accounts and Benefits: The division of retirement accounts and benefits can impact long-term financial security.
Child Support and Child-Related Expenses: The non-custodial parent may be required to provide financial support for the children, including expenses related to education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities.
Insurance Coverage: Changes in marital status can affect health, life, and other insurance coverages.
Credit and Debt Obligations: Both spouses may need to establish independent credit histories and manage their own debts.
It’s crucial for individuals going through a divorce to seek financial advice from professionals, such as financial planners or accountants, in addition to legal guidance. This can help them make informed decisions about their financial future during and after the divorce process.