Family Law

I like to work with people who are mature enough to realize that even after the divorce, they will still need to have a working relationship with their spouse. I prefer to help men and women who are honest, fair-minded and are willing to put the needs of the children first. I enjoy negotiating and engaging in collaborative law processes and detest litigation.

Family Law

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Name Changes
• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement Actions

Abuse

• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Elder Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

Children

• Adoptions
• Child Support
• Custody
• Paternity
• Visitation

Couples

• Civil Unions
• Domestic Partnerships
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Marriage
• Power of Attorney
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Elder Law

• Guardianships & Conservatorships
• Long-Term Care
• Powers of Attorney
• Advanced Health Care Directive
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Proxy

Rights

• Grandparent Rights
• Termination of Parental Rights

OH, Nov 1980
Bar Number: 13936

All courts in Ohio and the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Ohio State Bar Association.

For the past ten years, I have been attending an annual continuing education conference in Mexico. Some years, I have been a presenter, other years, I have merely attended the conference. Every year, there are different topics ranging from worker's compensation, to municipal law, election law and family law. Each month, the local bar association presents an hour-long seminar on different family law topics, which I attend. I generally have twice the number of continuing education credits than I need.

• "Getting Out: A Divorce Manual for Men"
• "Getting Out: A Divorce Manual for Women"
• "Child Custody for Divorcing Parents"
• "Emergency Shelters for Families: A report to the Cleveland and Gund Foundations," 1980

I handle primarily family law cases, mainly divorces and dissolutions where the parties are trying to settle their differences in a mature manner. I practice collaborative law, principled negotiation and mediation. My goal is to help men and women end their marriages in an emotionally healthy way. If a matter ends up going to litigation, I frequently co-counsel the matter with a litigator.

1

Ohio

My firm was established in 1985. I partnered with two other attorneys for a brief time, but went my own way again in 2004. I have always had an emphasis on family law issues.

My firm focuses on family law issues,
both in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties. I do limited estate planning and prepare prenuptial agreements and domestic partnership agreements. I also represent clients in civil domestic violence actions. An occasional adoption, guardianship or minor criminal or traffic matter gives me variety and keeps me sharp.

Before I became a lawyer, I was a social worker. I worked in the intake department of the Cuyahoga County Welfare Department assessing child abuse and neglect cases, then went to graduate school and served as the director of Child Protective Services for Geauga County for a few years. While I was in law school, I worked for the Federation for Community Planning, an education, research and advocacy organization in Cleveland focusing on at-risk youth. In my capacity as Community Planner, I drafted and advocated for legislation pertaining to abused and neglected children. I also conducted a nationwide research project on emergency shelters for families.

After I graduated from law school, I worked as the Director of the Legal Department and acting Court Administrator for the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court. I designed and implemented the Guardian ad Litem program for the court and designed the first child support guidelines in the state of Ohio.

When I left the court, I worked for a non-profit agency called Divorce Equity. We conducted research, education and advocacy on divorce issues. While at Divorce Equity, I designed a do-it-yourself divorce kit and wrote three books on the divorce process: "Getting Out: A Divorce Manual for Women," "Getting Out: A Divorce Manual for Men," and a custody manual. I also designed and implemented a multi-media presentation about the divorce process.

I was voted one of the most powerful women in Ohio by Northern Ohio Live, have worked on projects with the Legal Aid Society which resulted in the establishment of the Ohio Consumer's Counsel - a governmental watchdog agency on energy issues, created and wrote for a publication called Bait & Switch which dealt with consumer issues in the Cleveland area. We became famous for our articles on "The Dirty Dozen Restaurants," and I spearheaded a meat boycott back in the 70s. I helped the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Community Center get its first grant to help victims of AIDS in the late 70s and early 80s.

(216) 373-2555

Monday through Thursday
10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Yes

For certain criminal cases, there is a fixed fee. Currently, an uncontested driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is $1,500. Lesser misdemeanors in Rocky River Court are $500 for a maximum of two appearances and hourly thereafter.

Generally, I charge $300 per hour but, I occasionally charge less.

I offer an initial free consultation to discuss fees, philosophy and the case in general terms for no longer than ½ hour.

My typical retainer is $1,500 to $2,000 depending on complexity. The retainer must be replenished monthly.