Blast From The Past: An Overview of Child Custody Proceedings in Ohio

custody domestic relations

PUBLISHER’S NOTE –  I emailed this blog from August of 2021 to a possible new client this week. Custody cases are typically complex and very fact sensitive. But here are the basics. The information in it is still correct, but the new term for “visitation” is “parenting time”. Try the search bar above to focus in on a huge variety of articles we have published since 2007!

Understanding the Intricacies of Ohio’s Child Custody Laws

child custody domestic relationsOhio law is gender neutral in custody determinations – meaning there is no preference towards the mother or father being granted custody. In divorce court, “shared parenting” between the mother and father is generally the preferred parenting arrangement instead of sole custody to one parent. If a parent is awarded sole custody, they have the decision-making rights over where a child will attend school and major legal or medical decisions on their behalf. However, that is not always the case and the “best interest” test is employed to determine the best interest of the child.

A court takes into consideration numerous factors such as: the mental and physical health of both parents, any history of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and parents’ … Read More... “Blast From The Past: An Overview of Child Custody Proceedings in Ohio”

An Overview of Child Custody Proceedings in Ohio

custody domestic relations

Understanding the Intricacies of Ohio’s Custody Laws

custody domestic relationsOhio law is gender neutral in custody determinations – meaning there is no preference towards the mother or father being granted custody. In divorce court, “shared parenting” between the mother and father is generally the preferred parenting arrangement instead of sole custody to one parent. If a parent is awarded sole custody, they have the decision-making rights over where a child will attend school and major legal or medical decisions on their behalf. However, that is not always the case and the “best interest” test is employed to determine the best interest of the child.

A court takes into consideration numerous factors such as: the mental and physical health of both parents, any history of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and parents’ commitment to facilitate and honor parenting time to name a few. In some cases, a judge will appoint guardian ad litem to assess the child’s best interests in order to act as the child’s voice in a custody case.

In the case of unmarried parents, the custody of the child is placed by law with the mother until court issues an order designating another person as the residential … Read More... “An Overview of Child Custody Proceedings in Ohio”

Blast From The Past: The Benefits of Four Way Settlement Conferences

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

Is a Settlement Conference Worth it?

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Below is the repost of a blog from February 19, 2011 that has stood the test of time! Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques have flourished over the last 10 years! With escalating litigation costs and Court delays, 4 way settlement conferences are a great tool to move a case towards resolution. Operating in “good faith” and being willing to compromise is a major key in reaching success.

Settlement Conference 101: How to Schedule, what to Expect, and how to Prepare

settlement conference domestic relationsThe topic for this Family Blog Article is one that is I like to use and one that I highly recommend to clients and to other practitioners.  A four (4) way settlement conference is a meeting or conference attended by both parties (Husband and Wife) and their respective attorneys.

The meeting generally takes place at one of the attorney’s offices but it could be held at an absolutely neutral location such as the Bar Association, a local library, or a church having meeting rooms available for the public.  The meetings can take place during normal business hours but can also be held during evening or weekend hours as no one from the … Read More... “Blast From The Past: The Benefits of Four Way Settlement Conferences”

Ohio Domestic Relations and Juvenile Forms Translated in Five Languages

Ohio Supreme Court Translates Domestic Relations and Juvenile Standardized Forms into Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese, and Arabic For Public Download

ohio domestic relations formsOver the years, the U.S. Department of Justice has fashioned several consent decrees with several states and has negotiated with them to meet their obligation to provide language access.  Ohio has been active for years in supporting the rights of people in the court system whose English ability is limited.

Last month, the Ohio Supreme Court expanded these services and translated more than two dozen domestic relations and juvenile forms in five additional languages.  The translated forms allow parties with limited English to have a better understanding of court cases involving children and families.

The forms  are now also available in the most used languages in Ohio, including Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese, and Arabic.  When individuals need a domestic relations form in one of these languages, they can click on “Select Another Language.”  There they can find both a Word document and PDF file in the languages.

The Domestic Relations Forms 1-28 and Juvenile Forms 1-10 (DR forms 19-28) are available, by clicking on this link in an interactive PDF format so they may be completed online and printed.  … Read More... “Ohio Domestic Relations and Juvenile Forms Translated in Five Languages”