Child Custody Lawyer in Harrison West

What To Know About Custody Laws In Ohio

In Franklin County, child custody and child visitation issues are referred to by the broad term ‘allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children.’ Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04), any dispute over custody or visitation is resolved by applying the best interests of the child standard. In other words, an Ohio family law judge must determine what type of arrangement is best for a child’s health, emotional well-being, and social development. Many different factors can be considered, including: 

• Each parent’s established relationship with the child;
• Demonstrated parenting ability and willingness to cooperate; 
• What type of arrangement will facilitate the greatest level of stability; 
• Each parent’s home environment and overall lifestyle; 
• Any history of parental misconduct, including abuse or neglect; and
• If the child is old enough, their preferences. 

By definition, custody disputes must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with a close eye on the specific facts. Nonetheless, some form of shared parenting is considered to be inherently better for children. Ohio courts presume that joint custody or strong visitation rights are appropriate. That being said, sole custody and/or restricted visitation can be ordered—but only when good cause is shown by seeking that type of arrangement. If you have any specific questions about Ohio’s child custody laws or legal case, our Harrison West family attorneys can help.

We Help Parents In Harrison West Find Amicable Solutions

Every custody and visitation case is different. Our Harrison West family law team helps parents find the best path for themselves and their children. We know that most parents want to find an amicable arrangement that limits conflict and facilitates a happy and stable environment for the kids. As a starting point, we always put in the time to help our clients try to work towards a collaborative custody and visitation arrangement. 

If a collaborative solution does not work—or if one is simply ill-suited for your circumstances—our Harrison West child custody attorneys are ready to take your case as far as it needs to go to protect your rights and your family. We have extensive experience advocating for parents in complex and difficult custody disputes, including in litigation. Your parental rights should never be forced to take a backseat.