- DivorceAt RKPT we help clients navigate the often emotional legal proceedings that revolve around domestic relations matters. We have a deep understanding of how difficult and stressful these times can be and we are dedicated to lessening your burden by providing thoughtful, detailed advice with compassion and responsiveness. We take time to listen to you, address your concerns, and explore your various options. Effective problem solvers, we strive to meet our clients’ family law needs with solutions that are personalized, practical, and creative.
- Child SupportOhio courts will calculate child support under certain specific guidelines. The law sets basic support schedules that are used to determine the amount of child support, based on the number of children and the combined gross income of the parents, as well as other factors and/or credits. The support schedules are based on the average cost of raising children in households across a wide income range.
- Child Custody and VisitationParents can avoid taking child custody disputes to court if they can reach an agreement. If both parents share responsibilities, a shared parenting plan may be drafted and filed with the court in lieu of an order for sole custody by one parent.
- Adoption
- PaternityOur family law practice handles a wide array of matters, including divorce, dissolution, spousal support, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity suits, and prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. We have obtained favorable outcomes for clients in numerous family law proceedings, many of which involved complex accounting, tax, financial planning, employment benefits, and child custody issues. Should a trial be necessary, our skilled litigators stand ready to step in to advocate on your behalf and ensure that your rights are protected.
- Premarital AgreementUnder Ohio law, prenuptial agreements are called “antenuptial agreements.†To be valid, certain conditions must be met, including: it must be entered into without coercion, fraud, or duress; the terms must not encourage divorce; and there must have been a full disclosure of the nature and value of each spouse’s property.
- GuardianshipIf a loved one is no longer able to make decisions for themselves, they made need someone to assist them through a guardianship or conservatorship. By establishing a guardianship or conservatorship, you can assist your loved one in making financial, healthcare, and other life decisions.
- Spousal SupportA divorce is a civil lawsuit to end a marriage. The parties to a divorce ask the court to make final decisions concerning property division, spousal support, and matters regarding minor children. Most divorce cases are eventually settled by agreement. A proposed divorce decree is prepared, signed by the parties, and submitted to the court for approval. After a short hearing, the agreement is approved by the judge and becomes a court order. If the parties cannot resolve all of their disputed issues, evidence is presented in a contested trial, and then the judge or magistrate issues a decision.
- DUI/DWISome car accidents are the result of a simple mistake, such as failure to stop at a stop sign, an improper lane change, or driving too fast. Others are caused by drunk driving, drowsy driving, or distracted driving, speeding, faulty parts, or weather conditions.
- Wrongful DeathIf someone you love was killed because someone else was negligent, you and your family may be able to file a claim for wrongful death.
- Traffic Violations
- Sex CrimesPrior to joining the firm, Sarah worked as a victim’s advocate for survivors of sexual assault, and at the Ohio Innocence Project–experiences that fostered her ability to identify the specific needs of her clients and advocate on their behalf.
- Fraud
- Assault
- Restraining OrderObtained temporary restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunction, money damages, and award of attorney’s fees on behalf of corporate client in matters involving the breach of restrictive covenants and trade secret violations by an independent contractor (QFS Transp., LLC v. Huguely, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21988 and QFS Transp., LLC v. Murphy, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 237514).
- Manslaughter
- Corporate LawRKPT's Business and Corporate Law practice group helps business owners and executives to plan for and address the various issues they face in forming, operating and growing their businesses. We represent entrepreneurs and businesses of all types and sizes from start-up through succession planning.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsWhether you need assistance with formation and financing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, or succession planning, our business and corporate lawyers have the experience and expertise to deliver principled advice that will help you meet and exceed your goals.
- Business FormationChoosing the right legal entity for your business is a crucial step that can set the stage for business success. Regardless of what business your company will do or the type of industry in which your company will operate, an experienced business formation lawyer can help solve problems for you before they happen.
- Business DisputesRKPT represents businesses across diverse industries, including construction, real estate, and manufacturing. We routinely handle claims involving contract disputes, workmanship issues, lien claims, commercial lease disputes, and payment disputes and help companies resolve disputes in state and federal courts.
- Business TransactionsMichael works closely with the firm’s wholly owned title company to close complex commercial transactions. Both the firm and the title company count several local and regional banks as clients. Michael’s work with the title company affords him key banking relationships and a full knowledge of secured transactions as well as the complexities of the title insurance industry.
- Limited Liability CompaniesAn LLC can prevent creditors from taking assets that have been placed inside the LLC structure. In some situations, it may be wise to create multiple LLCs so that a lawsuit against you or one of your LLCs does not result in the loss of all your assets.
- Construction Contracts
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual Property
- Unfair Competition
- Antitrust
- Workers Compensation
- Wrongful TerminationAt RKPT, we defend employers against and represent current and former employees claiming allegations of all forms of discrimination, including race and ethnic origin, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. We handle cases alleging intentional discrimination, disparate impact, harassment based on a protected characteristic, hostile work environment, failure to provide reasonable accommodations, retaliation, wrongful termination and unlawful employment policies or practices (involving recruitment, hiring, assignment, or promotion).
- Employment DiscriminationIn an area where the law is constantly changing and litigation often involves complex, sensitive issues and expert testimony from industrial psychologists and economists, we are well-versed in the many employment laws, including the ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment), the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), and the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), as well as the specific and often complex procedural requirements for each statute.
- Employment ContractFred serves as general counsel to many closely held and family businesses. His practice has a broad scope, including business formation and structure, owner buy-sell agreements, employment contracts, business succession plans, purchase and lease transactions, financing, and complex merger and acquisition transactions.
- Employment LitigationRecognizing that claims of employment law violations can be extremely harmful to one’s reputation and that the potential penalties can be significant, our employment litigation team uses its considerable experience to deliver successful outcomes with creativity, agility, responsiveness and efficiency.
- Non-compete AgreementMatt regularly counsels business owners on a variety of subjects including risk assessment, risk mitigation, dispute resolution, and issues surrounding non-compete agreements. As part of his practice, he negotiates private shareholder disputes and drafts leases and other agreements.
- Severance AgreementWe represent both employers and current and former employees in disputes over employment agreements, severance agreements, as well as non-compete and confidentiality provisions. Our employment litigation lawyers bring personalized attention and a thoughtful, creative approach to every matter we handle, tailoring our advice to our clients’ specific needs and business objectives to achieve the best possible outcome at a reasonable cost.
- Sexual HarassmentWe provide interactive training and coaching programs to employers on a wide variety of topics, including ethics, compliance, prevention of sexual harassment and discrimination, diversity, and leadership. Our programs are tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client and deliver practical and proactive advice, including the latest legal developments and trends in the ever-changing workplace.
- Real Estate LitigationFor over half a century, RKPT has represented clients in commercial and residential real estate matters. Our clients rely on us for our responsiveness, attention to detail and experience, all of which allow us to anticipate issues and provide counsel... Read More
- Premises LiabilitySecured a reversal of a defense verdict on a premises liability case in a successful appeal to the Kentucky Court of Appeals (Case No. 2018-CA-000147-MR...
- Construction LitigationWe understand the value of collaboration. As a corporate client, you also benefit from the unique advantages of our in-house network of legal expertise. Commercial property matters are handled through collaboration with our real estate group. Issues surrounding family business ownership and succession are seamlessly coordinated with our personal planning group. When disputes arise, we handle negotiation, litigation, mediation, and arbitration with the added advantage of our in-house litigators — all well equipped to handle niche areas such as construction law or creditors’ rights.
- Real Estate TransactionsResidential and commercial real estate transactions are complicated and often include constantly changing dates, terms, and conditions. An experienced real estate attorney can track these changes and handle contract negotiation, drafting, and reviewing purchase and sales agreements and other real estate contracts to ensure that they are properly drafted, say what you intend them to say, and comply with state and local laws.
- Eminent DomainDepending on when and where you know him from, Chuck Rust answers to Chuck, Charlie, or Charles. He is an associate with the litigation practice group at Robbins, Kelly, Patterson & Tucker. His practice is diverse and has included general litigation, business disputes, real estate, employment law and restrictive covenants, appellate issues, and eminent domain. Admitted in both Ohio and Kentucky, Chuck is intentional about having variety in his practice and enjoys learning new things on a daily basis.
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningAdmitted to practice in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, Mike’s practice extends to a wide range of civil litigation matters such as business and contract disputes, real estate disputes, land use and zoning, employment litigation, non-compete agreements, trade secret claims, franchise litigation, consumer claims, and creditor’s rights. His creditor’s rights practice regularly involves representing banks, credit unions, loan servicers, private equity, and other financial institutions in foreclosures, bankruptcies, receiverships, loan workouts, Article 9 sales, surrender and deed in lieu transactions, and related default matters. Mike also represents outdoor advertising clients in land use, zoning, permit, appropriation, and contract matters. He has significant experience in personal injury matters representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
- Property DamageMatt litigates cases involving contracts such as partnership and business ownership agreements, operating agreements, franchise agreements, and other matters including leases, supplier and vendor contracts, severance agreements, service agreements, and construction contracts. He also has experience litigating cases involving property damage, premises liability, commercial collection, foreclosures, evictions, trespass, defamation, fraud, negligence, professional malpractice, probate, bankruptcy, and personal injury claims.
- Personal InjuryAt RKPT, our personal injury lawyers assist people who have been seriously and catastrophically injured by helping them secure the financial compensation that they deserve.
- Medical MalpracticeMedical malpractice cases are notoriously complex. The stakes are high, and they are vigorously contested on both sides. But someone who is injured because of negligent medical care has the right to be compensated for their injuries.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningRKPT attorneys have decades of experience advising clients on their estate planning needs. After a thorough consultation to determine your goals and needs, an estate planning attorney will create a customized estate plan to help you and your family meet your financial goals and leave a legacy to the people you care about, while minimizing estate and wealth transfer taxes.
- WillsProbate estate administration is the process by which the probate court reviews and approves a person’s Last Will and Testament and oversees distribution of the assets held in the deceased person’s name alone after their death. Assets held by the deceased person without effective beneficiary designations must pass through probate, regardless of whether the person died with or without a Will.
- TrustsWhen a person has used a trust as part of their estate plan, assets can be titled in the trust or transferred to the trust by beneficiary designations. Trust assets do not pass through probate court; however, the trust must still be administered. Trust administration is a private process by which trust assets are transferred according to the terms of the trust after the death of the trust-maker.
- Power of AttorneyA Financial Power of Attorney appoints someone else to make financial and business decisions for you if you are unavailable or lack the capacity to make them yourself.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureAs a creditor’s rights law firm, our representation extends to commercial collection claims, bankruptcies, foreclosures, receiverships, loan workouts, Article 9 sales, surrender and deed in lieu transactions, and related default matters.
- Tax LawSome of our clients have relatively straightforward needs, while others require more advanced estate and tax planning tools. Regardless of your specific needs, the estate planning attorneys at RKPT have the experience and expertise to help you plan for the future, minimize tax liability, and protect your legacy.