Family and Matrimonial

The Calm Among the Storm – In each post of this blog series, Schneider Bell attorney Veronica Garofoli answers a real question she sees from families, fiduciaries, financial advisors, and CPAs — focused on the moments when a situation first becomes unstable, and what actually protects people under Ohio probate and trust law.

When a parent passes away and leaves behind the family home, inheriting that property involves more than sentiment—it requires navigating estate administration, sibling negotiations, property valuations, and potential buyouts. Understanding the legal and financial complexities of keeping an inherited house can help families avoid costly disputes and make informed decisions about whether to retain or sell the property.

When it comes to estate planning, even the rich and famous are not immune to costly mistakes. This examination of celebrity estate planning mishaps reveals how iconic figures have fallen victim to oversights leading to legal battles, unintended heirs, and millions in tax losses, offering valuable lessons for legal professionals and individuals alike.

The Calm Among the Storm – In each post of this blog series, Schneider Bell attorney Veronica Garofoli answers a real question she sees from families, fiduciaries, financial advisors, and CPAs — focused on the moments when a situation first becomes unstable, and what actually protects people under Ohio probate and trust law.

Senior Partner Jay Dahlin and Partner Rachel Kolesar examine dissipation of marital assets in Illinois divorce cases, exploring how spending during marriage breakdown affects property division. Through scenarios involving gambling, luxury purchases, and hidden expenses, they analyze what constitutes dissipation, when timing matters, and how courts distinguish ordinary expenses from asset misuse.

When religious traditions intersect with modern estate planning, complex questions arise about inheritance conditions, faith-based marriage requirements, and the enforceability of religious divorce decrees. This episode explores how Jewish and Islamic inheritance principles interact with secular law, examining whether estate plans can legally require heirs to marry within their faith and what happens when religious and civil divorce requirements conflict.

How family law mediation can help parties break cycles of powerlessness, escalation and conflict

Senior Partner Jay Dahlin and Partner Rachel Kolesar examine dissipation of marital assets in Illinois divorce cases, exploring how spending during marriage breakdown affects property division. Through scenarios involving gambling, luxury purchases, and hidden expenses, they analyze what constitutes dissipation, when timing matters, and how courts distinguish ordinary expenses from asset misuse.

When religious traditions intersect with modern estate planning, complex questions arise about inheritance conditions, faith-based marriage requirements, and the enforceability of religious divorce decrees. This episode explores how Jewish and Islamic inheritance principles interact with secular law, examining whether estate plans can legally require heirs to marry within their faith and what happens when religious and civil divorce requirements conflict.