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You can now enter into a Postnuptial Agreement in Ohio!

Client Alert

Earlier this year, Ohio was one of just two states (Iowa) that did not permit couples to enter into postnuptial agreements – agreements made between married couples that separate their marital and non-marital property in the event of death or a future divorce. The Ohio Legislature changed this on March 23, 2023, when it passed S.B. 210 legalizing these agreements.

The new law considers that a couple’s financial health and goals often change throughout their marriage and that they should have the option to terminate or update an existing prenuptial agreement, or execute (and later modify if needed) a postnuptial agreement, to reflect these changes. To exercise any one of these options, the following conditions must be satisfied: 1) the agreement is in writing and signed by both spouses; 2) the agreement is entered into freely without fraud, duress, coercion, or overreaching; 3) there was full disclosure, or full knowledge, and understanding of the nature, value, and extent of the property of both spouses; and 4) the terms do not promote or encourage divorce or profiteering by divorce.[1]

Life is unpredictable and the new law affords Ohio couples greater flexibility when planning for their futures, which most likely look very different now than they did before marriage. The law also takes the pressure off engaged couples who are contemplating entering into a prenuptial agreement. Additionally, the ability to enter into a postnuptial agreement lessens the burden of dividing up assets if a couple were to ultimately divorce.

For questions regarding S.B. 210 and your options, please contact Cassandra Manna at clmanna@bmdllc.com or (216) 658-2206.

[1]  S.B. 210, 134th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Sess. (Ohio 2023). 


DEA and HHS Issue its Third Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities through 2025

The DEA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have extended telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled medications through December 31, 2025. This extension builds on temporary exceptions made in 2020 due to COVID-19, allowing providers to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances based on a telemedicine evaluation alone. The extension ensures continued patient access to necessary prescriptions and provides time for providers to comply with future regulations.

Medicare Making Changes to Improve Behavioral Health Care Access

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced changes to Medicare’s behavioral health coverage, including allowing Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors to enroll independently, increasing reimbursements for crisis psychotherapy and substance use treatment, and expanding services via community health workers. These updates address gaps in care and improve access to mental health services for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid Announces Four Next Generation MyCare Plans

On November 1, 2024, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced four managed care organizations that will become ODM’s Next Generation MyCare plans starting January 2026. MyCare Ohio is a managed care program that supports Ohioans across 29 counties enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Deadline: December 31

The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which became effective January 1, 2024, imposes strict reporting guidelines on small business owners throughout the country.  The deadline for non-exempt businesses to submit reporting is December 31, 2024.

Permanent Injunction of “Heartbeat” Abortion Ban in Ohio

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christian Jenkins has ruled Ohio’s six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, citing the state’s new reproductive rights amendment. This ruling emphasizes that Ohio law must fully reflect the will of voters, offering clarity for medical providers and safeguarding women's health care rights.