July 2020

Navigating Ohio child custody laws is one of the most challenging aspects of separation, directly impacting your child’s future. In Ohio, this process is officially termed the “allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.” It is a mandatory judicial review governed by specific statutes designed to achieve a single goal: protecting the child’s future. The Ohio Family Court relies heavily on a strict, nine-factor checklist to remove personal bias from the equation. Understanding these mandatory Ohio custody factors is essential for presenting a strong case focused on the best interest of the child. This guide provides an up-to-date breakdown of the legal standards, the criteria judges must evaluate, and practical steps parents can take to strengthen their position in a child custody dispute in Ohio.   The “Best Interest of the Child” […]

The bond between a grandparent and a grandchild is precious, but unfortunately, it is often threatened by parental separation, divorce, or disagreements. While Ohio law strongly respects a parent’s constitutional right to raise their child, it also recognizes the importance of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. For grandparents seeking to maintain or establish contact, navigating Ohio’s specific statutes and court procedures requires experienced legal guidance. This guide provides an overview of the legal pathways for grandparent visitation and custody in the state. What Are Grandparent Rights in Ohio? Grandparent rights refer to the legal concept that a court may order parents to permit a grandparent to spend time with their grandchild, even against the parents’ wishes, but only under certain, limited circumstances. When Ohio Law Allows Grandparents to Seek Visitation A grandparent’s

Child Support Calculation in Ohio: Formula, Factors, and Deviations Child support in Ohio is not determined by a judge’s arbitrary decision but by a specific, mandatory formula codified in the Ohio Revised Code. Understanding this calculation is essential for any parent involved in a divorce, dissolution, or custody case, as the result profoundly impacts both financial stability and the child’s standard of living. A miscalculation, a lack of documentation, or failure to argue a key deviation factor could cost you or your child thousands of dollars annually. The final figure, known as guideline child support, is presumed by law to be the correct amount. The Ohio Child Support Guideline: How the Basic Support is Determined The core of the process involves combining the gross incomes of both parents to determine