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The Little-Known “Parole in Place” Immigration Option

18 Oct 2018

Ohio Family’s Plight Spotlights Little-Known “Parole in Place” Immigration Option Ohio resident Juan Carlos Moncada is facing deportation proceedings, but that probably could have been avoided if the family had been aware of legal provisions intended to help the families...

What is a “Fiancé Visa” and How Does it Work?

15 Oct 2018

Marriage-based immigration can be complicated when the U.S. citizen’s fiancé is not currently in the United States and does not have a valid visa. The K-1“ fiancé visa” simplifies the process by providing a window during which the fiancé of...

When a Slip and Fall is More than an Accident

11 Oct 2018

Falls happen. Most of us have slipped on a wet floor or icy sidewalk tripped on an uneven sidewalk or even fallen out of bed at some point in our lives. While these tumbles may be jarring, most don’t cause...

Right to Remain Silent - Miranda Warning

Exercising Your Right to Remain Silent in Ohio

08 Oct 2018

If you own a television set, you’re probably familiar with Miranda warnings and the “right to remain silent.” You can probably recite the opening lines of the classic Miranda warning: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say...

The Power of the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharge

04 Oct 2018

In a successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, many unsecured debts are discharged. Because “bankruptcy discharge” is a legal term unfamiliar to many people, we tend to talk about the discharge in plain languages, such as “eliminate debts” or “wipe out...

Insolvent Business - shuttered storefront

When to Shut Down an Insolvent Business

01 Oct 2018

One of the toughest challenges business owners face is determining whether and when it’s time to accept defeat and close down the business. Since most businesses experience unstable income and other setbacks during the early days, it can be difficult...

What If I’m Partly to Blame for My Own Personal Injury?

27 Sep 2018

When you’re injured through someone else’s negligence, you are generally entitled to pursue compensation from that person or entity. For example, when you’re injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, the other driver may be responsible for...

Ohio Workers’ Compensation for Occupational Disease & Illness

24 Sep 2018

Workers’ compensation isn’t just for on-the-job injuries: the Ohio workers’ compensation system is also designed to provide for victims of occupational disease. For example, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you are suffering from an illness or...

When is a Manufacturer Responsible for a Defective Product?

20 Sep 2018

Most of us use and rely on products hundreds of times each day, from the coffee pots we switch on in the morning to the vehicles we drive to work and the equipment we use when we arrive. Some products...

Eligibility for naturalization - naturalization ceremony

Eligibility for Naturalization in the U.S.?

17 Sep 2018

Naturalization is the process by which a citizen of a foreign nation applies for citizenship and becomes a citizen of the United States. Citizenship offers many benefits for those residing in the U.S., including: The right to vote The ability...

How is an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Settlement Determined?

13 Sep 2018

The Ohio workers’ compensation system is structured to provide ongoing payments to an injured worker while he or she is unable to work and to pay for necessary medical care. However, in some cases, the employer, the Bureau of Workers’...

What are Benefit Corporations or “B-Corps”?

12 Sep 2018

By Joshua J. Strickland, Esq. Last month Senator Elizabeth Warren made some headlines with her op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal regarding her introduction of what she has called the “Accountable Capitalism Act”. This Act, if passed, would essentially require...

Distracted Driving Dangers Go Far Beyond Cell Phones

10 Sep 2018

Distracted driving is a serious problem in Ohio and around the country, claiming thousands of lives across the U.S. each year and contributing to hundreds of thousands of injuries. Distracted driving plays an especially prominent role in accidents involving young...

Ohio Immigrants Play Critical Role in State and Local Economies

Ohio Immigrants Play a Critical Role in State and Local Economies

06 Sep 2018

Compared with some coastal states, Ohio doesn’t draw a large number of immigrants. In fact, the state falls into the bottom five in terms of percentage of foreign-born residents and comes in at less than 1/3 of the national average....

The Complicated State of Ohio Marijuana Laws

03 Sep 2018

The state of Ohio is in the process—though behind schedule—of implementing a legal medical marijuana program. 13th District Congressman Tim Ryan has publicly stated that marijuana possession should be legal in all 50 states and has co-sponsored a bill that...

Why Are My Real Estate Taxes Increasing and What Can I Do About It?

29 Aug 2018

By: Jodi Littman Tomaszewski, Partner and Dworken & Bernstein Co., LPA If you live in Northeast Ohio you may have recently received an unwelcomed notice in the mail informing you that your real estate taxes will be increasing. You may...

How Bankruptcy Can Stop Debt Collectors Instantly

26 Jul 2018

The two common types of consumer bankruptcy—Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy—offer very different solutions. But, these two debt management options have one very important thing in common: the automatic stay – which can stop debt collectors immediately. What...

How Long is the Divorce Timeline in Ohio?

23 Jul 2018

Does It Take Long to Get Divorced in Ohio? The divorce process can be stressful, and no one wants a divorce case to drag on. But, you also don’t want to cut corners when important decisions are in play. Decisions...

What is Family-Based Immigration?

19 Jul 2018

The United States has a long and successful history of family-based immigration, recently referred to in the news and political debate as “chain migration.” Of course, bringing over family members was customary from the time the very first immigrants arrived...

criminal conviction - beyond a reasonable doubt

What is Required for a Criminal Conviction in Ohio?

16 Jul 2018

You’ve undoubtedly heard that a person charged with a crime can be convicted only if the judge or jury is persuaded that he or she is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Even those who have never been charged with a...

The Uncertain Future of the EB-5 Investor Visa Program

13 Jul 2018

The EB-5 Investor Visa Nearly 30 years ago, the legislature created a new visa program designed to draw capital investments to the United States and stimulate job growth. The EB-5 investor visa provides a path to citizenship for foreign nationals...

business debtors and commercial debt collectors

Business Debtors: How to Deal with Commercial Debt Collectors

10 Jul 2018

In Ohio, as well as nationally, business debtors do not enjoy the same protections consumer debtors do. But, that doesn’t mean that debt collectors hold all the cards. In this article, we discuss some of your options if you are...

Immigration and Divorce: Will I Lose My Green Card?

11 Jun 2018

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants are in the United States on marriage-based green cards or conditional green cards. Those marriages are scrutinized for authenticity, but what if they don’t work out? Legitimate marriages fail every day and marriages between U.S. citizens and...

What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

07 Jun 2018

When you hear the word “bankruptcy,” it’s probably Chapter 7 that comes to mind. The relatively quick fresh start bankruptcy is far more common than Chapter 13. But, Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers an important opportunity for people who either don’t...

Can I Be Fired for Filing a Ohio Workers’ Compensation Claim?

04 Jun 2018

When you’re injured at work, you need access to medical care and may need income to replace lost earnings while you recover. The Ohio workers’ compensation system was created to ensure that employees have access to that assistance when they’re...

How is Child Custody Determined in Ohio?

01 Jun 2018

One of the most important and most challenging issues when a couple divorces is minimizing the impact of the divorce on minor children and ensuring that each parent maintains a healthy relationship with the kids. Ideally, the parents will be...

Understanding Theft Crimes in Ohio

29 May 2018

The language of theft crimes can be confusing. For example, you may hear the words “theft” and “robbery” used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing—certain types of theft are robberies, but others are not. Similarly, many people think...