Family Lawyer Serving Waterville, OH
Gaddy Family Law delivers exceptional family lawyer services to residents of Waterville, OH and the surrounding communities. Attorney Patricia Gaddy combines professional legal knowledge with a caring, personalized approach to guide clients through challenging family transitions. With her background in complex negotiation, litigation, and mediation since 2016, Patricia has built a strong reputation among Waterville residents for her thorough preparation and genuine commitment to her clients’ wellbeing. Our firm’s dedication to clear communication and strategic advocacy makes us a trusted partner for Waterville families facing legal challenges.
Experienced Attorney, Approved Mediator, Guardian ad Litem | Family Lawyer in Waterville, OH

Family law matters require both legal knowledge and emotional intelligence. Gaddy Family Law provides Waterville residents with comprehensive family law representation that addresses both aspects. Patricia Gaddy is known for creating a supportive environment where clients feel comfortable sharing sensitive information and expressing their concerns.
We distinguish ourselves through our balanced approach—striving for efficient, amicable resolutions when possible while providing vigorous advocacy when necessary. Our practice philosophy centers on helping clients move through legal proceedings as smoothly as possible while protecting their rights and interests throughout the process.
- Divorce
- Dissolutions
- Child Custody
- Premarital Agreement
- Postmarital Agreement
- Family Law Order Modification
- Family Law Order Enforcement
Our Services include
Divorce
Our representation guides Waterville residents through this challenging transition with compassionate support. We handle all aspects of divorce proceedings, including property division, spousal support determinations, and retirement benefit allocation, with meticulous attention to both legal and personal considerations.
Dissolution of Marriage
For Waterville couples seeking an uncontested end to their marriage, our dissolution of marriage services provide a more cooperative alternative to traditional divorce. This streamlined process requires complete agreement on all issues but offers significant advantages in terms of cost, time, and emotional impact.
Child Custody
Our child custody services help Waterville parents establish arrangements that serve their children's best interests while preserving meaningful parent-child relationships. We develop customized parenting plans addressing legal custody, residential arrangements, and parenting time schedules tailored to each family's unique circumstances.
Child Support
We assist Waterville parents in navigating Ohio's child support guidelines to ensure children receive appropriate financial support. Our thorough approach addresses standard support calculations along with special considerations such as healthcare costs, educational expenses, and extracurricular activities important to many Waterville families.
Family Law Order Modification
When life circumstances change, our family law order modification services help Waterville clients update existing court orders. We handle modifications to custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, child support, and spousal support based on substantial changes in circumstances.
Family Law Order Enforcement
When court-ordered obligations aren't being met, our family law order enforcement services provide Waterville clients with effective remedies. We pursue enforcement of child support payments, parenting time provisions, and other court mandates through contempt proceedings and other appropriate legal channels.
Protective Orders
For Waterville residents facing domestic violence situations, we offer compassionate representation in securing Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders (DVCPO). These legal safeguards provide crucial protection during vulnerable periods, establishing boundaries that help ensure your safety and peace of mind.
Premarital Agreements
Our premarital agreement services help Waterville couples establish clear financial frameworks before marriage. These customized agreements protect individual assets, business interests, and family inheritances while promoting transparency and mutual understanding between future spouses.
Post-Marital Agreements
For already married Waterville couples, our post-marital agreement services address changing financial circumstances or relationship dynamics. These agreements prove particularly valuable after significant life events such as starting a business, receiving an inheritance, or adapting to other substantial changes.
Mediation Services
As an approved mediator, Patricia offers specialized mediation services to help Waterville couples resolve disputes without traditional litigation. This collaborative approach typically results in more sustainable agreements, preserved relationships, and substantial cost savings compared to contested court proceedings.
Guardian ad Litem
Patricia's training as a Guardian ad Litem allows her to represent children's best interests in Waterville family court proceedings. This neutral advocate role ensures children's perspectives and needs are properly considered in custody, visitation, and other family matters affecting their well-being.
Grandparents' Rights
We help Waterville grandparents understand and pursue their visitation rights under Ohio law. Our representation supports maintaining these valuable family bonds when circumstances such as parental separation, divorce, or death threaten to disrupt grandparent-grandchild relationships.
Third-Party Custody
For Waterville extended family members or other concerned individuals seeking custody of children, we provide guidance through Ohio's third-party custody process. This specialized area addresses situations where neither parent can provide appropriate care, allowing other suitable caregivers to step forward for the children's benefit.
Children's Services Cases
We represent Waterville families navigating cases involving children's services agencies. Our approach focuses on protecting parental rights while ensuring children's safety and wellbeing, whether through reunification plans or alternative arrangements when necessary.
LGBT Family Law
Our inclusive practice provides specialized family law services addressing the unique legal considerations facing Waterville's LGBT community. From adoption and surrogacy matters to relationship dissolution, we offer knowledgeable representation that respects and advocates for all families.
Interstate Custody
For Waterville families with connections to Michigan or other states, our interstate custody services address the complex jurisdictional issues of multi-state cases. We navigate the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) requirements to establish proper venue and protect your parental rights across state lines.
About Gaddy Family Law
Gaddy Family Law stands as a trusted family law resource in Perrysburg. Patricia Gaddy has been practicing family law since 2016 and brings both legal knowledge and genuine compassion to every case. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Women’s Law Association. Patricia is also an approved mediator in Ohio for both general civil matters and domestic relations, as well as a trained Guardian ad Litem, giving her unique insight into the needs of children in family law cases.
Testimonials

How to Begin Your Family Law Journey
Schedule a free 15-minute telephone consultation to discuss your situation and legal needs
Meet with Patricia to develop a personalized legal strategy tailored to your specific goals
Receive dedicated representation throughout your case, from initial filing through resolution
Things We Love About Perrysburg
We proudly serve clients throughout Perrysburg, including neighborhoods like Riverplace, Sanctuary, Eckel Junction, and Hull Prairie. Our family law services extend to residents near Woodlands Park and downtown Perrysburg, including the historic district along Louisiana Avenue and areas surrounding the beautiful Maumee River. We also assist families in the Levis Commons area, Fort Meigs, and communities near Way Public Library.
When not advocating for clients, we enjoy exploring Perrysburg’s rich history and vibrant community. The Fort Meigs Historic Site offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s past, while the seasonal farmers’ market provides a perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors. We particularly appreciate the community events at Levis Commons and the serene walking paths at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve.
Other Areas We Serve
- Toledo, OH
- Sylvania, OH
- Maumee, OH
- Bowling Green, OH
- Waterville, OH
Do you need a Family Lawyer in Maumee? Call (419) 260-1795 for your free consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
The Wood County Family Court, which serves Perrysburg, determines parental rights and responsibilities according to Ohio’s “best interests of the child” standard. The court considers factors such as each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s adjustment to home and school, and each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Our Perrysburg family lawyer is highly familiar with local court procedures and can help guide you through each step of the process.
In Perrysburg, dissolution cases are often faster and more cost-effective than contested divorces. While a contested divorce in Wood County may take 12–18 months, a dissolution—where both spouses agree on all issues—can typically be completed within 30–90 days. Some families prefer dissolution for its cooperative approach and the opportunity to resolve matters outside of a public trial. However, it’s important to note that, like all court proceedings in Ohio, dissolution filings are generally public record unless specifically sealed by the court.
Perrysburg courts apply Ohio’s equitable distribution principles when dividing marital assets, including luxury homes in neighborhoods such as The Sanctuary. Accurate home appraisals are essential, as property values can vary based on custom features, lot size, and location. Our approach involves working with experienced appraisers familiar with Perrysburg’s real estate market to help ensure fair and well-informed property settlements.
Yes, under certain circumstances, Ohio law allows grandparents to petition for visitation rights. The court will consider the nature of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, the wishes of the parents, and the best interests of the child. However, Ohio courts give significant weight to the decisions of fit parents, and visitation is not automatically granted. Our family law practice has experience representing grandparents in these matters and can advise you on your options.
Perrysburg’s location near the Michigan border can create unique considerations in interstate custody cases. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) determines which state has authority over custody matters, generally giving jurisdiction to the child’s “home state”—where the child has lived for at least six consecutive months. Exceptions and special rules may apply, so it’s important to consult with an attorney experienced in cross-state family law matters.
Perrysburg couples have access to several mediation options, including private mediation services and court-connected mediation through the Wood County Domestic Relations Court. Mediation can be a valuable tool for resolving disputes and, in some cases, may help couples reach agreements that allow for a dissolution filing instead of a contested divorce. Our office can provide information about available mediators and help you determine if mediation is appropriate for your situation.
Divorce cases involving residents of Levis Commons may involve more complex financial considerations, such as business interests, investment portfolios, and higher spousal support calculations. The standard of living established during the marriage—a key factor in Ohio spousal support determinations—can be influenced by the amenities and lifestyle associated with this community. For advice tailored to your unique circumstances, we recommend scheduling a confidential consultation with our office.