Welcome to theLaw Office ofMary Lou Ranney

Family law matters are emotionally charged issues which often require you to make rational decisions. The decisions you make over a short period of time can impact you for the rest of your life. Making the right choices for your individual case is a delicate balancing act.

When you are uncertain as to your next steps, Attorney Mary Lou Ranney will help you navigate your way through the legal process, whether that be a divorce, an uncontested adoption, a child support matter or something else.

With a practice dedicated to family law, Mary Lou Ranney and her compassionate staff will listen to your needs. Mary Lou Ranney provides legal services that are personalized to each client as an individual. Every client's situation is different, and every client has different needs. Mary Lou Ranney aims to provide aggressive and affordable legal services tailored to your needs.

Call (937) 243-8196

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Services

Divorce

Ohio requires six months’ residency in the state before you can file. Grounds include incompatibility and living separate and apart for one year. Ohio divides marital property equitably, which does not automatically mean down the middle. Mary Lou handles contested and uncontested divorce, property and debt division, spousal support, and the parenting issues that come with them.

Dissolution

Ohio’s cooperative route: both spouses petition together with a complete separation agreement already settled. The court sets a hearing between 30 and 90 days after filing, and both parties must appear and confirm the terms. It is faster and less costly than divorce, but only available when you agree on everything first.

Custody

Ohio law calls it allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. A court either names a residential parent and legal custodian or approves a shared parenting plan, deciding on the child’s best interest. Mary Lou handles original allocations, shared parenting plans, and post-decree reallocation when circumstances change.

Child Support

Ohio uses an income-shares calculation drawing on both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and credits for health insurance, childcare and court-ordered parenting time. An order is not fixed forever. Mary Lou handles establishment, enforcement, and modification when income or parenting time changes.

Adoption

Stepparent, grandparent and agency adoptions through the Ohio probate courts. In defined circumstances a parent’s consent is not required, for example where they have failed without justifiable cause to support or communicate with the child for at least one year. Ohio adoption records are confidential by statute.

Protection Orders

A Civil Protection Order in Ohio can be granted ex parte the same day a petition is filed, with a full hearing held shortly after, and may remain in effect for up to five years. Mary Lou represents petitioners seeking protection and respondents defending against a petition.

Grandparent Rights

Ohio grants grandparents companionship or visitation rights only in defined situations. Those include where a parent is deceased, where the parents were never married, or where a divorce or custody case is pending. Mary Lou advises on whether standing exists and pursues companionship or custody where the law allows.

Prenuptials

Ohio enforces antenuptial agreements entered into freely, with full disclosure of assets, and without fraud, duress or overreaching. Since 2023 Ohio also permits postnuptial agreements between spouses already married. Mary Lou drafts and reviews both.

Criminal Defense

Ohio charges impaired driving as OVI. A first offense carries a mandatory minimum penalty and a license suspension, and refusing a chemical test triggers an administrative suspension separate from the criminal case. Mary Lou defends OVI and non-OVI matters, including theft, assault, domestic violence, drug and traffic offenses, in the Knox, Union and surrounding county courts.

1

Call

Speak with the office and describe your situation.

2

Consultation

Sit down with Mary Lou and review your options in confidence.

3

A Plan

Leave knowing the next step and what it will take.

4

Representation

Mary Lou carries the matter forward and keeps you informed.

Criminal Defense

Alongside her family law practice, Mary Lou defends clients against criminal charges in the Knox, Union and surrounding county courts, from OVI and traffic matters to theft, assault and domestic violence. Ohio also allows the records of many eligible offenses to be sealed or expunged. The same steady, personal representation, on the other side of the courtroom.

OVI / DUI

Ohio’s term for impaired driving. The per se limit is .08, with enhanced penalties above .17. A first offense carries a mandatory minimum and a license suspension. Refusing a chemical test triggers an administrative suspension that runs separately from the criminal case, with only a short window to challenge it.

Theft Offenses

Ohio grades theft by the value taken. Under $1,000 is a first-degree misdemeanor; at $1,000 and above it becomes a felony, rising in degree as the value rises. Penalties can be enhanced where the alleged victim is elderly or disabled.

Domestic Violence Charges

A first domestic violence charge in Ohio is generally a first-degree misdemeanor, but a prior conviction elevates it to a felony. A charge can also carry firearm consequences and often runs alongside a civil protection order in a separate court.

Traffic Offenses

Ohio assigns points to moving violations through the BMV, and twelve points in two years brings a suspension. Mary Lou handles citations where the points, the insurance consequence, or the permanent record matter more than the fine.

Driving Under Suspension

A DUS charge is generally a misdemeanor, but driving under an OVI-related suspension carries mandatory penalties and possible vehicle immobilization or forfeiture. Limited driving privileges may be available in some circumstances.

Assault & Menacing

Assault in Ohio is usually a first-degree misdemeanor, and is elevated to a felony where the alleged victim holds a protected occupation such as a peace officer or teacher. Menacing and aggravated menacing are graded separately.

Criminal Damaging / Trespass

Criminal damaging is a misdemeanor that rises in degree where the conduct created a risk of physical harm to another person. Criminal trespass is charged separately and frequently accompanies other allegations.

Drug Offenses

Ohio grades drug possession by substance and by bulk amount, so identical conduct can be a minor misdemeanor or a felony depending purely on quantity. Paraphernalia is charged separately.

Obstruction & Falsification

Obstructing official business is a misdemeanor that becomes a felony where the conduct created a risk of physical harm. Falsification covers knowingly false statements made to law enforcement and public officials.

Call (937) 243-8196

About Mary Lou

Mary Lou was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2000. She graduated from Marysville High School and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Mary Lou’s primary area of practice is family relations law although she also assists clients with business and family immigration law matters. Upon graduation, she eventually took over this practice in 2017.

Mary Lou currently represents clients in divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, child support initiation and modification, adoption, spousal support/alimony, civil protection order prosecution and defense, power of attorney, name changes, and defense of abuse, neglect, and dependency matters.

Mary Lou is a member of the Columbus Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Union County Bar Association and Knox County Bar Association.

Also a Partner At Peterson Law LLP Dublin, Ohio, where Mary Lou is a full-time partner alongside her own practice.

Contact Us

(937) 243-8196

Fax: (937) 795-3409

MaryLou@yzmnlaw.com

Mount Vernon Office

401 West High St, Suite 7

Mount Vernon, OH 43050

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Marysville Office

1100 Innovation Way, Suite D

Marysville, OH 43040

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Dublin Office Peterson Law LLP

545 Metro Place South, Suite 435

Dublin, OH 43017

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