Skidmore & Associates Co.

03/29/2026

⚖️ High-Conflict Custody Cases in Ohio: What Courts Look For

Custody disputes can become significantly more complex when conflict between parents escalates beyond routine disagreements.

In high-conflict custody cases, Ohio courts often evaluate issues such as parental alienation, communication breakdowns, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.

In this new article from the Skidmore Script, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains how courts handle these cases and what factors can influence custody outcomes.

Topics include:

• What defines a high-conflict custody case ⚖️
• How parental alienation is evaluated
• The role of guardians ad litem 👨‍⚖️
• Litigation strategy in complex custody disputes
• Why credibility and conduct matter

In many Akron and Summit County custody cases, the outcome depends not on accusations alone, but on evidence, consistency, and the best interests of the child.

📖 Read the article: ⚖️ High-Conflict Custody Cases in Ohio: What Courts Look For

Custody disputes can become significantly more complex when conflict between parents escalates beyond routine disagreements.

In high-conflict custody cases, Ohio courts often evaluate issues such as parental alienation, communication breakdowns, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.

In this new article from the Skidmore Script, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains how courts handle these cases and what factors can influence custody outcomes.

Topics include:

• What defines a high-conflict custody case ⚖️
• How parental alienation is evaluated
• The role of guardians ad litem 👨‍⚖️
• Litigation strategy in complex custody disputes
• Why credibility and conduct matter

In many Akron and Summit County custody cases, the outcome depends not on accusations alone, but on evidence, consistency, and the best interests of the child.

📖 Read the article: https://akrondivorcelawfirm.com/high-conflict-custody-ohio/

High-conflict custody disputes often involve allegations of parental alienation and complex litigation. Learn how Ohio courts evaluate these cases and what matters most.

03/21/2026

What property owners should know about construction contracts in Ohio

Construction projects often begin with a contract — and that document can determine whether a project runs smoothly or turns into a dispute.

Before signing a construction contract in Ohio, property owners should understand key issues such as:
📄 Scope of work and project timelines
💰 Payment terms and change orders
⚖️ Liability, warranties, and dispute provisions
🏗️ Contractor obligations and compliance requirements

Unclear or incomplete contracts can lead to delays, cost overruns, or legal disputes.

Attorney Brian K. Skidmore works with property owners, contractors, and developers throughout Akron and Summit County to review, draft, and negotiate construction contracts that protect their interests. His experience in construction and real estate law helps clients avoid problems before they arise.

Understanding your contract before the project begins can save time, money, and frustration.

03/21/2026

🪶 What role does the executor play in an Ohio probate case?

When a loved one passes away, the executor plays a central role in guiding the estate through the Ohio probate process. This responsibility involves carrying out the terms of the will and ensuring everything is handled properly under Ohio law.

Key duties often include:
⚖️ Filing the probate case with the court
📄 Identifying and protecting estate assets
💼 Paying valid debts and expenses
🏡 Distributing property to beneficiaries

Mistakes or delays by an executor can lead to disputes, court involvement, and unnecessary stress for families during an already difficult time.

Attorney Spiros Vasilatos, Jr. advises executors and beneficiaries throughout Akron and Summit County, helping them understand their responsibilities and avoid common probate issues. With decades of experience in probate and estate administration, he provides steady, practical guidance from start to finish.

03/21/2026

📘 How to Prepare for Divorce in Ohio: Financial Steps Before Filing

Thinking about divorce? The steps you take before filing can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

In this new article from the Skidmore Script, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains how to prepare for divorce in Ohio — from gathering financial records to evaluating income, assets, and strategy.

Topics include:

• Organizing financial documents 📂
• Understanding marital vs. separate property ⚖️
• Reviewing income and cash flow 💰
• Avoiding costly pre-filing mistakes
• Strategic timing considerations

In many Akron and Summit County divorce cases, early preparation helps streamline the process and keeps the focus on resolving financial issues efficiently.

📖 Read the article:
https://akrondivorcelawfirm.com/prepare-for-divorce-ohio/

Thinking about divorce? Learn the financial and strategic steps to take before filing in Ohio, including documents, assets, and legal considerations.

03/16/2026

💰 Is a spouse hiding income during a divorce?

In many Ohio divorce cases, financial disputes involve more than dividing assets — they involve whether all income is being properly reported.

Business owners, self-employed professionals, and commission-based earners may have complex compensation structures that make income harder to evaluate during divorce proceedings.

In this new article from the Skidmore Script, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains how hidden or underreported income can affect:

• spousal support calculations
• child support determinations
• business valuations in divorce
• financial discovery in litigation

The article also discusses the warning signs courts look for, how attorneys investigate potential income manipulation, and the discovery tools available in Summit County Domestic Relations Court.

⚖️ If you are facing divorce in Akron or Northeast Ohio, understanding how income is evaluated in divorce proceedings can be critical to protecting your financial interests.

📖 Read the full article by clicking the link: https://akrondivorcelawfirm.com/hidden-income-in-ohio-divorce-underreported-earnings-cash-businesses-and-financial-discovery/

Income manipulation can impact spousal support and property division. Learn how Akron divorce courts detect hidden or underreported income during litigation.

03/15/2026

💳 What Happens to Debt in an Ohio Divorce?

When couples divorce, dividing assets like homes, retirement accounts, and businesses often gets the most attention. But debt can be just as important — and sometimes just as complicated.

In Ohio divorce cases, courts must determine how mortgages, credit cards, tax obligations, and business liabilities should be allocated between spouses. The outcome can significantly affect each party’s financial future.

In this new article from the Skidmore Script, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains how courts approach marital debt and what divorcing spouses should understand about financial responsibility after divorce.

Topics covered include:

• Mortgage responsibility and the marital home 🏡
• Credit card balances and consumer debt 💳
• Business loans and professional liabilities 📊
• How Ohio courts allocate marital debt

If you are facing divorce in Akron or Summit County, understanding how debt is divided is an essential part of protecting your financial future.

🔗 Read the article by clicking the link : https://akrondivorcelawfirm.com/dividing-debt-ohio-divorce/

Debt can be just as complicated as assets in an Ohio divorce. Learn how courts in Akron and Summit County divide mortgages, credit cards, and business liabilities during property division.

03/07/2026

⚖️ Financial Misconduct in Divorce: What Is “Dissipation” Under Ohio Law?

When a marriage begins to break down, financial decisions sometimes change dramatically. One spouse may begin spending, transferring, or depleting marital funds in ways that raise serious legal questions.

Ohio courts refer to this type of conduct as dissipation of marital assets.

In the newest article on the Skidmore Script, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains:

• What dissipation means in an Ohio divorce
• Examples of wasteful spending courts take seriously
• How financial misconduct can affect property division
• What evidence courts look for in Summit County divorce cases
• Legal remedies when marital assets are improperly spent

Dissipation claims often arise in high-asset divorce cases, business-owner divorces, and situations involving unusual financial activity before filing.

If you’re navigating divorce in Akron or Summit County, understanding how courts evaluate financial conduct is essential.

📖 Read the full article:
What Is a Dissipation Claim in Ohio Divorce? Waste, Spending, and Financial Misconduct

📍 Akron, Ohio
⚖️ Complex Asset Divorce & High-Net-Worth Divorce Litigation

Concerned your spouse is spending down money before divorce? Learn what dissipation means in Ohio divorce cases, common red flags, how it’s proven, and what Akron courts can do to restore fairness in property division.

01/19/2026

🏗️ How zoning laws can impact development projects in Akron

Zoning laws shape how property can be used, developed, and improved across Akron and Summit County. Even well-planned projects can face delays or denials if zoning requirements aren’t properly addressed early in the process.

Zoning issues often involve:
📍 Permitted land use
📍 Variances and conditional use approvals
📍 Setback, height, and density requirements
📍 Planning commission and zoning board review

Attorney Brian K. Skidmore works with property owners, developers, and businesses to navigate Akron zoning regulations, resolve land-use challenges, and keep development projects moving forward. His experience in real estate and construction law helps clients anticipate issues and avoid costly setbacks.

Understanding the zoning process before development begins can make all the difference.

01/18/2026

Hidden Assets in an Ohio Divorce: What Akron Courts Look For ⚖️💼

In higher-asset divorce cases, financial transparency is not optional — and Ohio courts take nondisclosure seriously.

Hidden assets can appear in many forms: undisclosed accounts, manipulated business income, delayed bonuses, cryptocurrency, or transfers to third parties. When this happens, courts have tools to uncover misconduct and restore fairness in property division.

In our Skidmore Script blog, Akron divorce attorney Eric E. Skidmore explains:

• Common red flags that suggest assets may be hidden
• Discovery tools used in Ohio divorce litigation
• The role of forensic accountants in tracing assets
• Legal remedies available when concealment is proven
• Why early strategy matters in Summit County cases

If you suspect undisclosed assets in a divorce, understanding how Ohio law works is critical.

📍 Serving Akron, Summit County & Northeast Ohio
⚖️ Complex asset & high-net-worth divorce litigation
🔗 Read the full article:
"Hidden Assets in Ohio Divorce: Red Flags, Discovery Tools, and Legal Remedies"

Suspect your spouse is hiding money or assets in a divorce? Learn how Ohio courts uncover concealed assets, what red flags matter, and how Akron divorce attorneys use subpoenas, forensic accounting, and court remedies to protect your financial rights.

01/02/2026

🎉 Happy New Year 2026 from Skidmore & Associates Co.

As we welcome 2026, the attorneys and staff at Skidmore & Associates Co. would like to thank our clients, colleagues, and neighbors throughout Akron and Summit County for the trust you place in us.

For decades, our firm has been committed to providing thoughtful, experienced legal guidance in family law, divorce, real estate, construction law, probate, trusts, and estate planning. We remain dedicated to serving individuals and families with integrity, professionalism, and respect.

We wish you and your family a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year, and we look forward to continuing to serve the Akron community in 2026.

📍 Proudly serving Akron and Northeast Ohio
📞 (330) 253-1550
🌐 skidmorelaw.com

12/18/2025

Recently middle son Eric E. Skidmore published a memorial article honoring Attorney Archie W. Skidmore (1926–2025) — founder of Skidmore & Associates and a respected member of the Akron legal community for over seven decades.

Written by his middle son and law partner, Eric E. Skidmore, the article is a father-and-son anthology reflecting on mentorship, professionalism, perseverance, and the values that shaped both a family and a law firm.

It is not a biographical sketch, but a personal and professional reflection on legacy and the practice of law done the right way.
🔗 Read the full tribute on the Skidmore Script.

A personal tribute to the life, legacy, and values of Attorney Archie W. Skidmore — from the courtroom to the family farm, and from one generation of lawyers to the next.

11/24/2025

🪶 What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets in Ohio?
When a loved one passes away, not every asset must go through probate court. Some property transfers automatically — others require court supervision.

⚖️ Probate assets include property titled solely in the decedent’s name, such as real estate, vehicles, and personal bank accounts. These must be processed through the probate court to validate the will, pay debts, and distribute assets.

💼 Non-probate assets bypass the court entirely. Examples include jointly-owned property, life-insurance proceeds, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, and assets held in a trust.

Attorney Spiros Vasilatos, Jr. helps Akron-area families determine which assets require probate and which can transfer more efficiently. With decades of experience in estate and trust administration, he provides clear guidance to minimize delays and preserve family peace.

📍 Serving families throughout Akron, Summit County, and Northeast Ohio.

👉 Learn more about probate and non-probate assets: https://www.skidmorelaw.com/probate-estate-law.html