Family Law

• Divorce
• Adoption
• Premarital Agreement
  Critchfield’s attorneys have many years of experience working with couples that are considering entering into a prenuptial agreement. We’ll explain the legal consequences of entering into such agreements and the financial disclosures that are necessary.
• Guardianship
  In situations where an adult is unable to care for themselves or a child’s parents are unable to care for a child, a guardianship may be needed.
• Spousal Support
  Entering into a prenuptial (also called an antenuptial) agreement can be an important mechanism for future spouses to protect assets acquired prior to marriage, and, in cases of second or third marriage, preserving assets for children born of those earlier relationships. A carefully drafted and mutually agreed upon prenuptial agreement allows for a simplified and streamlined distribution of assets in the event of divorce or death. Issues such as whether either spouse will pay alimony (and in what amount for how long), rights to individually or shared real or personal property, the management of business, and even rights to pensions and insurance policies may be addressed in prenuptial agreements.

Criminal Law

• Wrongful Death

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Our banking and financial services attorneys work closely with our firm’s attorneys in other practice areas, including business and corporate law, real estate, and litigation to provide comprehensive services to our financial industry clients.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  Critchfield’s corporate and business attorneys understand the intricacies of business ownership, including company formation and business planning, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, taxation, executive compensation, and pension and profit-sharing. We also counsel clients on employee-related matters, including employee handbooks, benefits, human resources, regulatory compliance, as well as OSHA and workers’ compensation. Critchfield’s attorneys are also able to assist with the creation and review of contracts for new products and services, trademark and copyright matters, as well as handle collections and business-related litigation.
• Business Disputes
• Business Transactions
• Limited Liability Companies
  Critchfield’s attorneys assist clients in both the legal and practical aspects of forming corporations, limited liability companies, and joint ventures in commercial, industrial, technological, professional, and other entrepreneurial endeavors.
• Intellectual Property

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
  Given today’s complicated and ever-evolving web of statutes and regulations, claims related to discrimination, wrongful discharge, ERISA, OSHA, wage and hour disputes and many other causes of action can arise at almost any time and despite an employer’s best efforts at compliance.
• Employment Discrimination
  Employment discrimination charges and representation before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Employment Contract
  The relationship between an employer and an employee is an important one, and in many instances it is a good idea for employers and employees to memorialize the relationship in a written agreement. Well-crafted employment contracts spell out precisely what is expected of both employees and employers, defining the duties and obligations of both parties.
• Employment Litigation
  One of the most common precursors to employment litigation is a failure to comply with current employment-related statutes and regulations—and there are many of them—including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and many, many more at both the state and federal levels.
• Severance Agreement

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
• Construction Litigation
  Critchfield’s Construction Law Practice Group regularly advises clients in the construction industry on both public and private projects, such as general contractors, construction managers, design-build firms, subcontractors, engineering firms, suppliers, developers, lenders, sureties, and owners. These clients look to the Critchfield Construction Law Practice Group for a wide array of expertise and skill, from pure “construction law” issues such as delay damage claims, to multidisciplinary issues related to real estate and property development concerns.
• Land Use and Zoning

Health Law

• Personal Injury
• Social Security Disability
  We also address the planning needs of adult children with disabilities, often through the creation of special needs trusts. We advise clients of the planning necessary to set aside assets for the disabled individual so the individual can still obtain Medicaid, Social Security Income, or Social Security Disability benefits.
• Medicaid Planning
  For seniors and their families, the aging process can present a number of challenges—from medical crises to serious financial concerns. Critchfield’s lawyers are here to help our clients achieve peace of mind through thoughtful planning for today and tomorrow by providing counsel on asset protection, Medicaid planning, Veterans benefits (such as Aid and Attendance), conservatorships and guardianships, as well as general estate planning, trusts, and probate.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  The estate planning attorneys at Critchfield incorporate a number of strategies, based on individual financial situations and priorities, to ensure that a donor’s chosen charities are supported in the manner intended. Some gifting vehicles can provide tax benefits during the donor’s lifetime. Planned gifts can take many forms, including cash, stock, real estate, and even boats, cars, and artwork.
• Wills
  Critchfield’s caring and knowledgeable attorneys represent fiduciaries and beneficiaries of estates and trusts. We also counsel personal representatives in the administration of estates and trusts and advise individual and corporate trustees concerning their fiduciary duties and obligations. We represent estates in federal and state estate tax audits and disputes, and advise our clients in various phases of probate and trust litigation, including construing and reforming the terms of wills and trusts. Our experience also includes...
• Trusts
  In these circumstances advance legal and financial planning by parents and caregivers is of utmost importance because planning must essentially cover the needs of two generations. There are a number of mechanisms through which the long-term needs of disabled adults and children can be provided for, including special needs trusts (sometimes called “supplemental trusts”), life insurance policies, and ABLE accounts. Critchfield’s Elder Law attorneys also examine what, if any, government benefits are available to assist with present or future care. Our attorneys will also counsel clients as they make decisions regarding future care, including where and with whom a disabled child or adult will live and who will be responsible for decision-making after a parent’s death.
• Power of Attorney
  Unfortunately, the capacity of a senior citizen who may be in early stages of dementia, suffering the effects of a stroke, or Alzheimer’s Disease may raise legal concerns. When such circumstances arise, Critchfield prepares essential documents, including powers of attorney or health care directives such as a health care power of attorney or living will. If necessary, we also assist with obtaining a conservatorship or guardianship.
• Probate
  Americans are living longer than ever and are facing legal and financial concerns rarely encountered by those of earlier generations. Our Elder Law attorneys focus exclusively on the needs of seniors and those who care for them. With attorneys certified as both Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law specialists by the Ohio State Bar Association and as Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation and the Ohio Bar Association, we are staffed to counsel our clients through every phase of planning for the issues faced by seniors.

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  Advise fiduciaries on estate income-tax related issues, estate-tax, and generation-skipping-transfer-tax issues, and various elections that may be available