Comprehensive Legal Services to Guide You

Hoyt Law Offices offers a diverse range of legal services designed to guide you through life's most challenging moments. Whether you need assistance with family law, criminal defense, or estate planning, our experienced team is here to provide the support you need.

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Auto Injury

Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, and representing yourself can jeopardize your settlement. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you receive the maximum compensation. While most cases settle before trial, significant recoveries often result from thorough trial preparation. Insurance companies know which attorneys are ready for trial, and we are prepared to fight for you.

We offer flexible meetings, including hospital visits or evening and Saturday appointments, to accommodate your needs. Most cases are handled on a contingency basis—if there’s no recovery, there’s no fee. Any costs incurred, like filing fees, are typically paid from your recovery.

If you or your family has been in an accident, here are critical steps to take:

  • 1 Document Everything: Collect the police report, witness details, photos of the scene, and receipts for expenses and medical care.
  • 2 Don’t Sign or Speak Without Advice: Consult an attorney before giving statements, as they may be used against you. Cooperate with your insurer to avoid coverage issues.
  • 3 Understand Insurance Conflicts: Your interests may conflict with those of the other party’s or even your own insurance company. Notify your insurer promptly.
  • 4 Act Quickly: Legal rights, including filing claims, are time-sensitive. Take action immediately.
  • 5 Request Written Offers: Get all settlement offers and damage explanations in writing. Review them with an attorney before signing.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a complete description of your legal rights, but as a checklist of some of the important issues you should consider.

Business and Tax Law

Hoyt Law Offices provides comprehensive legal services in business and tax matters, including contracts, workers' compensation, tax audits, collection enforcement, and dispute settlements. We also handle business, contract, tort, probate, divorce, and family law cases, and partner with a top strategic financial consulting provider.

Contracts are vital to business. For an agreement to be enforceable, it must involve an offer, acceptance, a bargained-for exchange, and clear terms. Even valid contracts may face challenges, such as defenses against unfairness, and in some cases, may be voided entirely.

Fewer than 20% of Offers in Compromise (OICs) are approved due to improper applications and financial miscalculations. At Hoyt Law Office, we provide expert guidance and thorough documentation to improve your chances with the IRS. We offer licensed tax professionals who ensure your case is handled properly, unlike unqualified TV tax relief ads.

The IRS Fresh Start program makes it easier for taxpayers to resolve their tax debt:

  • Offers in Compromise: The Fresh Start program makes OICs more accessible by giving the IRS more flexibility when determining a taxpayer’s ability to pay. The IRS will accept an offer that reflects the most they can collect in a reasonable time frame. Check eligibility using the IRS OIC Pre-Qualifier tool.
  • 1 The goal of an IRS settlement (Offer in Compromise, OIC) is to minimize what the IRS can collect, but it's not easy. Success requires proper handling.
  • 2 OIC negotiations usually take 6-12 months. If rejected, the appeals process can take over 2 years. During this time, IRS actions like wage garnishments are paused.
  • 3 A specific formula must be followed to confirm your eligibility for an OIC. Incorrect calculations are a common reason for failure.
  • 4 Be cautious when choosing help. Many accountants and tax preparers lack the expertise to handle OICs correctly, which can result in failure.
  • 5 For tax balances over $10,000, it's crucial to seek reliable, trusted professionals. You only get one shot at an OIC—make it count.
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Child Custody & Shared Parenting

Since January 1, 1998, unmarried mothers automatically have legal custody of their child unless the court orders otherwise. If the father seeks custody, both parents must prove they are the better caregiver, considering factors like daily care, mental health, and domestic violence history.

It’s advisable to allow reasonable visitation with the father, even before a court order. This can show you’re willing to cooperate with future visitation rights.

Unmarried fathers must establish paternity to seek custody or visitation.

Shared parenting is encouraged by Ohio courts and involves both parents sharing responsibilities, including decision-making and care. The court will assess factors like cooperation, proximity, and the child’s best interests when deciding if shared parenting is appropriate.

Co-parenting is when separated parents work together to raise their child, ensuring the child maintains strong relationships with both parents. The goal is to put the child’s needs first, promoting love and stability from both parents.

Child Support

Ohio law sets strict guidelines for child support based on factors like the number of children, parent's income, and more. After determining the amount, consult with an attorney to see if any statutory deviations could affect the order. Challenges to a child support order can be made by either parent in situations such as delays, errors in processing, or failure to act on requests. The custodial parent may challenge the order for issues like improper collection or distribution, while the noncustodial parent may contest paternity issues or modification refusals.

Spousal Support

Spousal support, or alimony, may be awarded if one spouse earns significantly more than the other. Courts can grant temporary or permanent spousal support based on various factors, including income, earning ability, duration of the marriage, and the needs of the spouse. The court considers both parties' assets, liabilities, and contributions to the marriage when determining support.

Criminal Law Representation

We represent clients in various criminal matters, including theft, white-collar crimes, robbery, drug offenses, DUI, domestic violence, and more. We defend against felony and misdemeanor charges in municipal, common pleas, district courts, and federal courts.

We often file motions to suppress improperly obtained evidence, as police must follow specific rules before presenting evidence in court.

  • Myth 1: You must be drunk to be guilty of DUI. In Ohio, DUI can be based on officer observations, field sobriety tests, or a breathalyzer result of .08 BAC or higher.
  • Myth 2: Refusing a breathalyzer makes it harder to prove DUI. Ohio’s “implied consent law” mandates breathalyzer testing, and refusal can result in severe penalties.
  • Myth 3: Police can demand tests without consulting an attorney. You have the right to consult with an attorney before taking further tests.
  • Myth 4: DUI is just a traffic violation. DUI convictions carry serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, and impact on employment and insurance.
  • Felonies: Aggravated murder can result in life sentences or death, with fines ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Other felony penalties range from 1 to 10 years in prison with fines from $10,000 to $25,000.
  • Misdemeanors: Jail time from 30 days to 6 months, with fines up to $5,000.
  • OVI: Penalties increase with repeat offenses, ranging from jail time to mandatory alcohol education programs, plus fines.

Most criminal and traffic matters are charged on a flat fee basis, depending on the court and case complexity. Fees are typically required before we enter your case.

  • Arraignment: The first court appearance, where you enter a plea and the court sets bail.
  • Bail/Bond: Bail ensures your court attendance, paid in cash, property, or through a bail bondsman.
  • Grand Jury: A jury decides whether to indict for serious crimes.
  • Motion to Suppress: We file motions to exclude evidence obtained in violation of your rights.
  • Speedy Trial: Ohio law guarantees a timely trial, with specific timeframes for misdemeanors and felonies.

We believe in a proactive defense, which includes acting quickly to prevent arrests and ensuring all evidence is preserved. Early representation can help avoid long-term consequences, such as a criminal record or jail time.

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Hoyt Law Office

Divorce

In Ohio, an uncontested divorce differs from a dissolution (often called an amicable or no-fault divorce). A divorce involves one spouse filing a lawsuit against the other to seek termination of the marriage, while a dissolution is an agreement between both parties to end the marriage without court intervention. A significant difference is that a divorce may end with just one spouse present at the final hearing, which is helpful when a spouse is absent, such as in the case of military deployment.

  • Difficulty negotiating asset division or parenting matters.
  • Spouse is hostile, mistreats you or the children, or controls finances.
  • Concerns about asset destruction or unknown marital assets.
  • Threats of harm or spouse’s absence.
  • Need for immediate child support, spousal support, or custody resolution.
  • Bigamy (one spouse was already married).
  • Willful absence of one party for a year.
  • Extreme cruelty or neglect.
  • Fraudulent contract or habitual drunkenness.
  • Imprisonment of a spouse.
  • Separation without cohabitation for a year.
  • Incompatibility (unless denied).
  • Complaint for Divorce
  • Restraining Orders
  • Financial Affidavit
  • Custody and Health Insurance Affidavits (if children are involved)
  • Temporary Orders and Settlement Requests

Most cases settle, as mediation and negotiation can resolve issues without trial. As a certified mediator, I strive to settle even difficult cases. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, a trial will determine the outcome, which may create additional costs and uncertainty.

Dissolution Overview

We offer representation in various family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support, and spousal support. These issues can be complex, but we work with you to develop agreements while protecting your rights.

Dissolution is a non-adversarial legal process to end a marriage. Both parties must agree on property division, parental rights, and spousal support. The process involves filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Separation Agreement. A hearing is scheduled 30-90 days after filing, and the process typically takes less than three months, much faster than a contested divorce.

  • More affordable and faster than divorce.
  • Less contentious, fostering amicable resolutions.

Note: Dissolution isn't right for every situation. Contact us at (513) 218-5621 to discuss your options.

Hoyt Law Office

Family Law

We provide expert representation in family law, including divorce, custody, spousal support, and juvenile law. Our goal is to help you navigate disputes and reach agreements on difficult issues while protecting your rights.

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Juvenile Law

Juvenile violations should never be taken lightly, as they can have lasting consequences. If your child is involved in a juvenile matter, it's critical to understand the legal process:

  • Police Interaction: Officers can stop and frisk your child if they have reasonable suspicion. Always consult an attorney before consenting to a search. If arrested, your child should remain silent and request a lawyer.
  • Detention and Hearings: If taken into custody, a juvenile may be held in a detention facility until a hearing, where factors like safety and risk of flight are considered. Arraignment and plea hearings follow, where your child can admit or deny charges.
  • Plea Deals and Trials: A plea bargain may reduce charges or lead to specific court outcomes. If no agreement is reached, the case moves to trial (adjudicatory hearing). The court will decide the outcome based on the evidence.
  • Disposition: After a conviction, the judge will determine the sentence, which may include probation, detention, or community service. For more serious crimes, longer sentences at juvenile correctional facilities may apply. If your child faces juvenile charges, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney guiding you through this complex process to protect their rights.

Contact Us Today

If you’re facing legal challenges, we’re here to help. Contact Hoyt Law Offices today to schedule a consultation and explore how we can protect your interests.