If you’re considering divorce, or already in the middle of it, chances are you’re overwhelmed, maybe even a little scared. It’s not just the emotional weight—it’s the decisions you suddenly have to make. Do you move out? Who gets the house? What about the kids? Are you legally allowed to take money out of the account? These questions hit hard, and they rarely come with simple answers. I talk to people from Parma, Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, and North Royalton, every day who are navigating these exact waters. And the truth is, no one goes into marriage planning for the end—but when that end comes, it helps to have someone guiding you who actually cares about getting it right.
At Mary E. Papcke, Attorney at Law, I don’t just file paperwork or show up in court. I sit down with you and get the full picture—your goals, your fears, what matters most. Divorce isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Some people want to walk away clean and never look back. Others are tied up in shared finances, custody issues, or a house they’ve built over decades. I help you make sense of it all. My job is to make sure you understand your rights and options from day one so you can make confident, informed decisions every step of the way. I’m here to be a steady hand during a shaky time.
It’s tempting to skip the lawyer and try to “just get it over with,” especially if things seem civil at first. And I get that. Who wants to spend more money than they have to when they’re already dividing a household? But what I’ve seen time and time again, is that DIY divorce often leads to costly mistakes. Maybe one spouse agrees to something they don’t understand, or a key detail gets left out of the final agreement. A few months down the road, something goes wrong, and suddenly you’re back in court trying to fix it. Having a divorce attorney from the start ensures the paperwork is airtight, the terms are fair, and you’re not agreeing to something you’ll regret later.
I’ve represented people going through all types of divorces. High-conflict splits where both sides are digging in. Quiet, mutual decisions where the couple just grew apart. Sometimes the issues are financial—complex assets, retirement plans, shared business interests. Other times, it’s about children—where they’ll live, how much time each parent gets, and how major decisions will be made. There’s no playbook for how this goes, and that’s why I tailor my approach to your specific situation. My clients aren’t treated like case numbers—they’re treated like people, because this isn’t just law. It’s your life.
When kids are involved, everything changes. For most parents I work with, custody is the part they care about most, and understandably so. Whether you’re worried about losing time with your child or just trying to set up a parenting plan that actually works, I’ll help you navigate those tough conversations with clarity and respect. Ohio law focuses on the child’s best interests, and we’ll work together to make sure those interests are front and center. And when it comes to support—whether you’re paying or receiving—I’ll ensure the numbers are calculated fairly and legally. It’s never just about money. It’s about stability, and we treat it that way.
Dividing property is one of the trickier parts of divorce, and it’s where things often go sideways when people try to do it without legal help. What’s considered marital property? What about that retirement account you started before the marriage but kept adding to after? What if the house is only in one person’s name, but both spouses contributed to it? These are the kinds of questions I answer every day. Ohio uses “equitable distribution,” which doesn’t always mean 50/50. It means fair. I’ll walk you through how the law applies to your unique situation and help ensure you walk away with what’s rightfully yours. We’ll also talk about any shared debt—credit cards, loans, or mortgages—and how those will be handled moving forward.
I’ve had people call me just to ask questions, not ready to file yet. That’s completely okay. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting the conversation. Maybe you’re not even certain you want to divorce. Maybe you’re just exploring what your life would look like if you did. You’re allowed to ask those questions without committing to anything. At Mary E. Papcke, Attorney at Law, consultations are a chance to talk, learn, and breathe. I’ll give you the information you need—no pressure, no hard sell—just real answers to real concerns.
Whether you’re in Parma, Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, or North Royalton, I’m here to help you make sense of what comes next. Divorce is hard, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right guidance, you can move forward with your dignity intact, your finances protected, and your head held high. And that’s what I want for you.
Contact Us at bankruptcyanddivorceLaw.com or call (440) 743-7000 to schedule a consultation. You’ve got options. Let’s talk about them.
