- DivorceYes, we strive to provide exemplary legal services to all our clients regardless of their sex. Our representation is not biased towards one gender. Divorce and family law cases are all different and unique depending upon the blend of issues and facts. Our firm is very attuned to try to assist our clients with both the legal and emotional side of a divorce case. The firm has adopted the American Bar Association’s Standards for family law practitioners. Click here to see. If you have not taken the opportunity to look at the Ohio Family Law Blog, which we publish, it contains an extensive amount of information that may be helpful to your issues.
- Child SupportIf you need to pursue contempt charges against your “ex“, defend a Contempt charge against yourself, or return to Court to address some Post-Decree issue such as child support or visitation, our skilled family law attorneys will help you solve your contempt or Post-Decree problem.
- Child Custody and VisitationWhen can a grandparent successfully obtain Court-ordered visitation rights? Our Dayton lawyers will analyze your circumstances. Read more about Ohio Grandparents’ Claims.
- AdoptionIn addition, our firm is one of the few law firms in Ohio with attorneys that have experience litigating international custody and Hague Convention cases. These Federal Court cases are often extremely complex. As Ohio Family Law Attorneys, we also represent individuals in adoption proceedings in Probate Court. Those adoptions may involve a step-parent adoption or adoptions of a child to a third party. We also have the expertise to assist individuals looking for a prenuptial agreement before getting married. These contracts can be very valuable to cap exposure in the event of a future Ohio divorce or to eliminate a surviving spouse’s rights in the event of the death of one party.
- PaternityPerhaps the area of Ohio Juvenile Court practice that most people are aware of when thinking about Juvenile Court are paternity and custody proceedings. Paternity actions are initiated by unmarried individuals wanting to convert their putative father’s rights to that of a legal father’s rights. Ancillary to these paternity actions are requests to establish custodial rights, shared parenting arrangements, payment of support, visitation and health and hospitalization insurance issues along with allocation of the dependency tax exemption. Our Ohio Attorneys are routinely involved in handling Ohio Juvenile Court cases throughout southwest Ohio including those in Montgomery, Greene, Warren, Miami and Clark counties.
- Premarital AgreementPrenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements aren’t just for the “Rich and Famous” anymore. As of April 1, 2023. Due to a Ohio law change, postnuptial agreements are now enforcable. Our experienced attorneys work to protect you and your assets.
- GuardianshipOhio Guardianships are probate proceedings designed to protect minors, disabled or incompetent individuals. Let us counsel you about your options in this important area of law. Read more about Ohio Guardianships in this guide.
- Spousal SupportOhio Family Law Blog was awarded one of the Top 100 Law Blogs in the US. Our Dayton Ohio attorney Robert “Chip” Mues discusses current divorce and family law matters such as child custody, spousal support, military divorce, prenuptial agreements, estate planning (pre & post divorce), domestic abuse, alimony, manimony, professional counseling, insurance, visitation, grandparent rights and much more.
- Legal SeparationAn Ohio Legal Separation is a unique proceeding that results in the two individuals still remaining married but living separate lives, usually for financial, religious or other personal reasons. Our lawyers have the wisdom and experience to guide you through your legal separation.
- Criminal DefenseBeing convicted of an Ohio Drug Related Offense can send you to jail, result in hefty fines, and can affect your ability to get a job or drive in Ohio. Our Ohio Criminal Defense Attorneys can help when you or a family member have been charged with an Ohio Drug Related Offense. Read more about Ohio Drug Related Offenses.
- DUI/DWIOne of the Ohio traffic laws that has some of the harshest penalties is driving while impaired or DUI/OVI. Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues enjoys a long history of representing individuals charged with these type of violations. Please look at our FAQ page for the six most common questions about the Ohio traffic laws of driving while impaired.
- Wrongful DeathThere are many types of injury actions our attorneys handle. Those include vehicle accidents such as auto accidents, motorcycle accidents and truck accidents. Sometimes the injuries unfortunately end up as fatalities and our Dayton Ohio Attorneys will initiate and aggressively litigate wrongful death proceedings on behalf of the family and next of kin.
- Traffic ViolationsMany parents find themselves dealing with their minor teenage child who has been issued a traffic ticket. Traffic tickets for minors in Ohio Juvenile Court are subject to a completely different set of rules and laws than those for adult drivers. Oftentimes, with proper legal representation, the traffic tickets for juveniles can either be dismissed or held in abeyance. Surprising to many, the consequences for traffic infractions for a minor can be quite significant.
- MisdemeanorsDon’t think that a conviction of a misdemeanor has little consequence. If you are found guilty of an Ohio Misdemeanor Criminal Citation, you can receive jail time, fines, probation, and a record that will always show up on a background check. Our Ohio lawyers have the experience you need to help resolve any Misdemeanor Criminal charges.
- Drug Crimes
- Juvenile CrimesOur Juvenile Law attorneys are also frequently engaged in representing mothers and fathers in dealing with child protective services agencies. There are many situations where having an attorney represent and advocate for a parent in Ohio Juvenile Court can be extremely valuable. Child protective agencies have great latitude and discretion in determining whether a child will be removed from their home with their mother and father and placed in foster care. Further, the agency’s position will carry a great deal of weight with Ohio Juvenile Courts, so being properly represented in these actions can be critical.
- Hit and RunHolzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues also is involved in handling other Ohio traffic laws and alleged violations pertaining to commercial driver’s license cases as well as “hit and run” citations. A commercial driver’s license is a precious commodity for a truck driver. Our law office is near the intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 70. Needless to say, the Ohio Highway Patrol and law enforcement can be extremely zealous in their enforcement efforts against truck drivers. Our firm has been successful in representing many truck drivers avoid a conviction of Ohio traffic laws and other ancillary offenses. Any traffic conviction can put your CDL in jeopardy!
- Business FormationOur Dayton Ohio Business Law Attorneys have extensive experience assisting individuals and businesses throughout Southwest Ohio for more than 75 years. We assist them with everything from choosing the proper business formation in Ohio, whether it be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or some other option, preparation of all necessary documents to legally establish the business with the the secretary of state, preparation of bylaws and minutes for corporations, operating agreements for LLCs and partnership agreements for partnerships.
- Business DisputesThere are lots of factors to consider when contemplating starting a business in Ohio. What business entity structure makes the most sense? Does a corporation, subchapter S election, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or perhaps a sole proprietorship make the most sense? Our Ohio Business Law attorneys have a diversity of both practical experience and educational backgrounds including one having a Masters of Business degree, and serving as a director in a local non-profit organization. Another is the chairman of the board for a well-respected local business and has served on the boards of many non-profit organizations. Our attorneys have a diverse background to assist you with the considerations and intricacies of Incorporating in Ohio.
- Employment LitigationThere are certain specialty areas of law in which we do not practice. Those include: patent law, bankruptcy, Social Security matters, discrimination/employment issues, lemon-law cases, and tax controversies. Keep in mind that a general practice lawyer (or any lawyer for that matter) has a responsibility to seek assistance from lawyers of a certain specialty where such specialization or additional expertise is needed. We routinely operate in a multi-disciplinary manner and depending upon the nature of the representation, the “team” may include Certified Public Accountants, therapists, financial planners, appraisers, and other professionals.
- Real Estate LitigationAlmost all Ohioans at one or more occasions will be faced with issues involving Ohio Real Estate Law. Our Ohio Attorneys can help you no matter what real estate issue you are facing. One of the most common situations may be buying or selling a home, but our Dayton Ohio Real Estate Lawyers also deal with commercial and complex construction cases. Our Ohio Attorneys at Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues, LPA have been assisting individuals and businesses through Southwest Ohio for over 70 years with their Ohio Real Estate Law matters.
- Real Estate TransactionsLandlord or tenant rights issues can be complicated. There are some very specific steps that must be followed in any Ohio Real Estate Law eviction proceeding. Failing to discuss these issues with an experienced real estate attorney may result in a tenant being improperly evicted or a landlord having to begin the eviction process again from the beginning. Not good! Regardless of which side you may be on, having an experienced Ohio Real Estate attorney at your side can be invaluable. Be sure to understand in advance whether or not what you believe the agreement to state will be ultimately enforceable if there is a breach. The old adage about “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly is applicable when it comes to making sure that your property and real estate transactions are completed properly from a legal viewpoint.
- Property DamageIf you or a loved one has been the victim of someone else’s negligent driving, our Ohio Auto Accident Attorneys have the experience and skill to make sure you receive reimbursement for not just your property damage and medical bills, but the maximum compensation for all of your pain and suffering, as well. Read more about Ohio Auto Accidents.
- Personal InjuryOur Dayton Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys have extensive experience helping families who have sustained an Ohio Personal Injury. At Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues, our Ohio Attorneys have a long history of helping clients obtain fair compensation in their personal injury matters. People, unfortunately, are injured or die in automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle collisions every day. Often these injuries should never have occurred – often they happen because of someone else’s negligence, carelessness or as a result of some other form of wrongdoing.
- Medical MalpracticeWhen doctors, nurses, or hospitals commit an act of Medical Malpractice that injures you or a loved one, that negligence must be acted upon. Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys will protect you or your loved one by aggressively seeking to right any actionable wrong that has occurred at the hand of any healthcare professional. Read more about Ohio Medical Malpractice.
- Auto Accidents
- Medicaid PlanningOhio Elder Law includes a broad array of issues that concern our Ohio seniors including long-term health care insurance, probate avoidance and Medicaid Planning. Our Ohio Elder Law Lawyers can answer all your elder law questions. Read more about Ohio Elder Law.
- Dog BitesEven animal lovers can be the victim of a vicious Dog Bite or other Animal Attack. If you or a family member have received a Dog Bite or been the victim of some other Animal Attack, let our Ohio Lawyers put their experience and knowledge to work for you. Read more about Ohio Dog Bites/Animal Attacks.
- Estate PlanningOur Dayton Ohio attorneys and staff have been serving clients’ Ohio probate and estate administration needs for over 70 years. Properly handling the probate paperwork, filing the necessary estate tax returns, handling and liquidating estate assets, appropriately treating creditors’ claims and working through the intricacies of the estate administration process can be a confusing and overwhelming endeavor. Our attorneys are second to none in providing exemplary services to our clients in this area of Ohio probate and estate administration work.
- WillsAn Ohio Last Will and Testament designates the person or persons that you wish to inherit your personal property, real estate, cash, and other assets upon your passing. Our Ohio Last Will and Testament lawyers will work with you to draft a document that accurately states your intentions and leaves nothing open for debate. Read more about Ohio Last Will and Testaments.
- TrustsOhio asset protection. Life insurance trusts may be another. A special needs trust may be a third. Ohio law now allows one to protect one’s assets from one’s own potential future creditors, as long as no transfer is fraudulent. The Ohio Legacy Trust Act allows a grantor to set up a trust with the grantor’s assets and the grantor as the beneficiary, yet protect it from creditors. Ohio law also now allows a limited liability company’s assets to be shielded from a debtor’s future creditors. Ohio is now one of the most debtor-friendly states in the country. Protecting one’s assets for one’s future needs and one’s children is a primary goal of most clients. We can help ensure that these needs are met.
- Power of AttorneyAn Ohio Living Will allows you to state your wishes about being kept alive on life support if you are in a terminal condition. In a Health Care Power of Attorney, you can grant speaking authority for medical decisions to another if you are unable to communicate. Our Ohio Lawyers will prepare these documents to convey your wishes and intentions. Read more about Ohio Health Care Documents.
- ProbateJoseph E. Balmer, III, has been a member of HCMM since 1991. He was born in Xenia, Ohio, in 1963. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a joint JD/MBA degree in 1989 and was admitted to both the Ohio Bar and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio in 1989. He has been certified since 2006 by the Ohio State Bar Association as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
- Bankruptcy
- Tax Law