Todd B. Kotler

Since 1999 I have labored to establish divorce settlements that are firm but fair and parenting-time schedules that work. Relocating and long-distance parenting plans. I resolve high-conflict situations, protective orders, and deal with parental alienation. I also have litigated a number of high value cases in both Summit and Stark Counties.

My firm also has handled a great number of high value transactions involving mineral rights, land leases and easements with energy companies. We have done joint ventures, partnerships, S corporations, LLCs, commercial and industrial developments, condominium developments or conversions and office building sales and purchases. Likewise, I have drafted construction contracts, lease negotiation and preparations, loan workouts and foreclosures as well as sale and purchase contracts.

Notably, I am among a handful of Ohio Attorneys who practice special education law. My focus in this area is on the parents of special needs children. I aid them in ensuring that these children receive the free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that each child is guaranteed under state and federal law.

• Free Consultation
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Ohio

Partner

Arnold, Gruber, & Haren, Ltd.

2014 - Current

Owner - Attorney

Todd Kotler, Attorney at Law

1999 - 2014

University of Akron School of Law

J.D. (1998) | Law

1994 - 1998

Honors: Abramson Scholarship

Class of 2022 OSBF Fellow

Ohio State Bar Foundation

2022

The Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows are an elite group of attorneys who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to advance the law and build a better justice system through community service efforts and philanthropic gifts to the Foundation.

Ohio State Bar

Member

Current

Stark County Bar Association

member

2014 - Current

Activities: Member of Family Law, Real Estate and Community Relations Committees. Co-chaired 2017 Real Estate Law Seminar

ETHICS FOR OHIO TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS

Stark County Bar Association

November 1, 2017

PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

National Business Institute

2016

Ohio Special Education Law - Course Materials

National Business Institute

June, 2015

UNRAVELING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)

National Business Institute

2013

E-Commerce; The Tidal Wave of Change

Akron Bar Association, Examiner

2000

ETHICS FOR OHIO TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS, Real Estate Seminar, Canton, Ohio

November 1, 2017

Stark County Bar Association

https://www.nbi-sems.com/ProductDetails/Ohio-Special-Education-Law/Course-Book/75791CDR?N=0&searchTerm=kotler

UNRAVELING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT (IDEIA), Ohio Special Education Law, Youngstown, Ohio

June 8, 2017

National Business Institute

https://www.nbi-sems.com/ProductDetails/Ohio-Special-Education-Law/Course-Book/75791CDR?N=0&searchTerm=kotler

Ethics and Technology - Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Net, Legal Technology Seminar, Independence, Ohio

December 19, 2015

National Business Institute

Safety Disclosures and State and Federal Record Keeping Laws, School Safety Law, Fairlawn, Ohio

November 6, 2014

National Business Institute

Establishing the Framework of Special Education Law 2013, Fairlawn, Ohio

August 21, 2013

National Business Institute

Domestic Relations Mediator

Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College Training

2022

Q. Is a home purchase with a married girlfriend considered marital property in Ohio?

July 14, 2025

A: 1/2 of it may be. Anything purchased by a spouse with marital funds is considered marital. The only separate property married people have is either separate property owned before the marriage or inheritances, specifically given to one spouse and not comingled with marital assets. Since you are purchasing it with her, and ostensibly we will have a 1/2 undivided interest in the property her 1 half undivided interest will be considered marital with her spouse unless they specifically agree otherwise. Your best bet is to either get her estranged spouse's agreement, or wait until she and her spouse are divorced.

Q. Can I request attorney fees if my ex-wife violated the divorce decree in Ohio by not refinancing our home and paying $6,000 owed?

July 11, 2025

A: You may certainly request that she be compelled to pay your attorney fees. However, whether or not she does is at the sole discretion of the court. You and / or your attorney will need to provide evidence that her failures to abide by the terms of your divorce decree were more than mere negligence (or due to her simply not having the resources) but in fact willful or reckless.

Q. Will we have to sell our house in a divorce in Ohio?

July 11, 2025

A: I agree with my colleague. I would only add that the other remedy is if one of you can afford to buy out the equity of the other and perhaps refinance (depending on the interest rate you are currently paying). if you purchased it before 2021 it is likely you do not want to refinance now as the rate would likely be several points higher. Either way the only thing that forces the sale of a marital home is the finances of the parties. Obviously, if one party were to persuade the Court that a sale would better distribute the assets, this could also "force" a sale but it is not a foregone conclusion that it must happen. Your mileage will vary.