Family Law Attorney in Toledo, Ohio
Family law cases often involve some of the most personal and emotionally difficult moments in a person’s life. Whether you are ending a marriage, working through a custody dispute, seeking protection for yourself or your children, or addressing support issues, the decisions made in family court can shape your future. At the Law Office of Attorney David Shook in Toledo, Ohio, we provide steady, experienced legal support to individuals and families who need clear guidance during these transitions. With more than 34 years of practice, Attorney David Shook helps clients move forward with confidence, practical solutions, and dependable legal strategy.
Our firm focuses on providing representation that is rooted in honest communication, careful preparation, and a strong understanding of Ohio family law. Throughout Toledo and Northwest Ohio, families rely on Attorney Shook for both negotiation and litigation, as well as for the hands-on support needed when emotions and legal concerns intersect. Whether your case is straightforward or complex, we work closely with you to understand your goals and protect your rights.
Dissolution and Divorce
One of the most common and significant areas of family law is the ending of a marriage. In Ohio, spouses can pursue either dissolution or divorce. Understanding the difference between the two is essential for choosing the right path based on your goals, level of cooperation, and the issues that need to be resolved.
Dissolution in Ohio
A dissolution is often the best choice for spouses who can work together and agree on every major issue before filing. These issues include:
• How property and debts will be divided
• Whether spousal support will be paid
• Parenting time and custody arrangements
• Health insurance decisions
• Tax considerations
Both spouses file jointly after reaching a complete agreement. Dissolution is generally faster, less expensive, and less confrontational. Even when spouses are cooperative, legal guidance is important to ensure the agreement is complete, legally sound, and based on long-term interests. Attorney Shook assists clients during negotiations, identifies potential issues, and drafts agreements that reflect each party’s priorities.
Divorce in Ohio
If spouses cannot agree on certain issues, divorce becomes necessary. Divorce can be based on no-fault grounds such as incompatibility or on fault grounds such as adultery, abandonment, or extreme cruelty. The divorce process may involve:
• Temporary orders
• Discovery
• Mediation
• Settlement conferences
• Hearings or trial
Contested divorces can be lengthy and stressful. Attorney Shook provides experienced representation from the first filing through the final decree. His role is to protect your interests, prepare a strong case, and help you make informed decisions throughout the process. Whether your divorce involves significant assets, parenting disputes, or complex financial questions, our firm offers thoughtful legal guidance backed by decades of experience.
Custody and Parenting Time
Child custody matters carry a unique emotional weight. Parents want to protect their children, preserve their relationships, and ensure that parenting arrangements support stability and security. Ohio courts use the best interests of the child standard when determining custody. This involves evaluating factors such as:
• The child’s needs and developmental stage
• Each parent’s involvement and caregiving history
• The mental and physical health of the parents
• The child’s school and community connections
• Each parent’s ability to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent
• History of domestic violence or safety concerns
Legal and Physical Custody
In Ohio, custody involves two key areas:
• Legal custody refers to decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and general welfare.
• Physical custody, or parenting time, refers to where the child lives and the time each parent spends with the child.
Courts may award shared parenting or designate one parent as the residential parent. Parenting time schedules may follow the local court’s standard order or a customized arrangement that fits the family’s needs.
Attorney Shook works closely with parents to create or negotiate parenting plans that promote consistency for children while protecting parental rights. In contested cases, he prepares evidence, organizes documentation, and advocates for arrangements that support the child’s best interests. Whether through negotiation or litigation, his approach focuses on clarity, structure, and long-term stability for the family.
Spousal Support
Spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony, is a financial payment from one spouse to the other during or after divorce. It is not automatically awarded. Instead, Ohio courts consider multiple factors, including:
• Length of the marriage
• Income and earning capacity of each party
• Education, work history, and job opportunities
• Standard of living during the marriage
• Age and health of the parties
• Contributions to the marriage, including childcare and homemaking
• Whether one spouse will need additional training or education
Spousal support may be temporary or long term. It may be modifiable or nonmodifiable depending on the court order. These decisions can have long lasting financial consequences.
Attorney Shook represents clients seeking support and those who are asked to pay support. He evaluates financial details, assesses future earning potential, and negotiates fair support arrangements. His approach is practical, aiming to ensure stability while avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Contempt Motions
When a court issues an order, whether regarding parenting time, child support, spousal support, or property division, all parties are required to follow it. When one person fails to comply, the other may need to file a contempt motion to enforce the court’s judgment.
Common reasons for contempt motions include:
• Failure to pay child support
• Failure to pay spousal support
• Denial of court ordered parenting time
• Consistent late drop offs or pick ups
• Refusal to follow terms of a divorce decree
• Violating a shared parenting plan
A finding of contempt can result in fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, wage withholding, or even jail time in severe cases. These matters require detailed documentation and careful preparation.
Attorney Shook represents clients both filing for contempt and defending against allegations. He reviews the facts, organizes necessary evidence, and guides clients through hearings and settlement discussions. His goal is to resolve the violation while protecting his client’s rights and working toward a practical, forward focused solution.
Additional Family Law Services
Beyond divorce, custody, support, and contempt matters, the Law Office of Attorney David Shook assists clients with many related family law concerns. These include:
• Modifications of custody and support
• Parenting time disputes
• Relocation cases
• Protection orders
• Enforcement of prior court orders
• Mediation preparation
• Guidance during high conflict family situations
Family law often affects every part of a person’s life. Attorney Shook takes the time to understand the full picture, including emotional, financial, and practical concerns. His legal strategies are designed to create stability and guide clients toward long term solutions rather than short term reactions.
A Family Law Attorney Committed to Protecting Your Future
Family law matters are rarely simple, and the stakes are often incredibly personal. Whether you are facing a divorce, working through custody issues, or seeking enforcement of a court order, the experience you bring to the process matters. Attorney David Shook provides families in Toledo with clear, dependable advocacy grounded in more than three decades of legal practice.
Clients benefit from personalized guidance, honest communication, and strong courtroom representation when it is needed. At a time when emotions often run high and the path forward feels uncertain, our firm offers stability and practical legal solutions.
Contact a Family Law Attorney in Toledo, Ohio
If you are facing a family law matter in Toledo or the surrounding area, the Law Office of Attorney David Shook is here to help. We provide experienced representation in divorce, custody, support, contempt actions, and related family law issues.
Call us at (419) 779-2027 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support you during this important time.