I left one career in public service to join another. I retired after working for thirty-two years with the North Olmsted Police Department and I am now practicing law. Thirty two years in criminal justice taught me that the work of a defense attorney is every bit as important to criminal justice as the work of the police, prosecutors or the court.
As a police officer, I believed in helping and assisting all groups of people, including those I arrested. Working in criminal defense, I now continue to provide that help by assisting those who need an informed, knowledgeable and savvy advocate. I have degrees in Public Safety Management, a Master of Public Administration and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University.
I also had three years of Electrical Engineering training from Ohio State. I am admitted into the Ohio bar. I am admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. I am a member of the American, Ohio State, Lorain County and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations.
As a police officer, I believed in helping and assisting all groups of people, including those I arrested. Working in criminal defense, I now continue to provide that help by assisting those who need an informed, knowledgeable and savvy advocate. I have degrees in Public Safety Management, a Master of Public Administration and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University.
I also had three years of Electrical Engineering training from Ohio State. I am admitted into the Ohio bar. I am admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. I am a member of the American, Ohio State, Lorain County and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations.
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If you disagree with the provisions of your spouse in his or her will, you have certain rights.
While this will provide you with options, it is often possible under Ohio law to essentially disinherit a spouse.
If you elect to take against the Will, you are entitled to one-half of decedent's net estate, unless there are two or more of decedent's children or their lineal descendants surviving, in which case you are entitled to one-third of decedent's net estate.
You will not be entitled to receive any assets given to you pursuant to the Will.
While this will provide you with options, it is often possible under Ohio law to essentially disinherit a spouse.
If you elect to take against the Will, you are entitled to one-half of decedent's net estate, unless there are two or more of decedent's children or their lineal descendants surviving, in which case you are entitled to one-third of decedent's net estate.
You will not be entitled to receive any assets given to you pursuant to the Will.
When someone who is elderly, disabled or infirm suffers at the hands of another, we think of this as "abuse".
Example one: Someone in the life of an elderly person gains their confidence and uses their trust to bilk the elderly person out of money or property.
When the abuse violates the law, you get a crime.
Easy, right?
No, it is not that easy.
Every crime has an accompanying mental state that must be present in order to convict the wrongdoer of the crime.
For example, in order to steal, you must have a "knowing" state of mind.
Example one: Someone in the life of an elderly person gains their confidence and uses their trust to bilk the elderly person out of money or property.
When the abuse violates the law, you get a crime.
Easy, right?
No, it is not that easy.
Every crime has an accompanying mental state that must be present in order to convict the wrongdoer of the crime.
For example, in order to steal, you must have a "knowing" state of mind.
If your family is rushing to your aid, know that they each will come with their own version of what is in your best interest.
You need to set parameters.
You need to control the discussion.
If the situation is bad enough, inter-family conflicts can cause factions to form, each striving to control your life.
If the factions begin competing, less restrictive alternatives are shoved aside as the end game, often a guardianship, becomes their focus.
If a third party agency, such as Adult Protective Services, has become involved, hire counsel as soon as you can.
You need to set parameters.
You need to control the discussion.
If the situation is bad enough, inter-family conflicts can cause factions to form, each striving to control your life.
If the factions begin competing, less restrictive alternatives are shoved aside as the end game, often a guardianship, becomes their focus.
If a third party agency, such as Adult Protective Services, has become involved, hire counsel as soon as you can.
When different people come together to address the problem, some may disagree with the solutions presented by others.
Factions might form.
The issue might devolve into a competition between the groups to see which prevails.
Will your solution cause the person to sever you from their life?
Is your solution so necessary to require that?
This often occurs when a child determines that Mom needs better care and Dad needs to be moved out of the picture.
Imposing yourself between a husband and wife can cause irreparable harm to your relationship with both parties.
Factions might form.
The issue might devolve into a competition between the groups to see which prevails.
Will your solution cause the person to sever you from their life?
Is your solution so necessary to require that?
This often occurs when a child determines that Mom needs better care and Dad needs to be moved out of the picture.
Imposing yourself between a husband and wife can cause irreparable harm to your relationship with both parties.
As we age, our abilities often diminish.
Our ability to run and jump leaves us.
Our memory becomes shorter.
For some, challenges with mental illness are exasperated by aging.
In the far majority of cases, as we lose our ability to take care of ourselves others step in and help us with our day-to-day needs.
But for some, no one is there and as hard as we try, others notice how we are beginning to slip.
When you are alone, the most often result is that some well-intentioned person places a call to Adult Protective Services.
Our ability to run and jump leaves us.
Our memory becomes shorter.
For some, challenges with mental illness are exasperated by aging.
In the far majority of cases, as we lose our ability to take care of ourselves others step in and help us with our day-to-day needs.
But for some, no one is there and as hard as we try, others notice how we are beginning to slip.
When you are alone, the most often result is that some well-intentioned person places a call to Adult Protective Services.
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