Parental alienation is when psychological manipulation by one parent causes a rift between a child and the other parent. This can come about through undue influence by one parent to tarnish a child’s perception of the other parent. This dynamic is all too common in contentious divorce scenarios. However, this situation is more than mere family drama. It is actually a form of child abuse. A basic definition of child abuse A characteristic of child abuse is any action that results in harm or potential harm to a child’s physical or emotional well-being. Whether physical or emotional, an action is ..read more

Legislators in Ohio proposed a bill that could significantly change the landscape of child custody in divorce cases. This legislation aims to establish an automatic 50/50 custody arrangement, fundamentally altering the way courts make custody decisions. Understanding Ohio’s 50/50 custody bill The proposed bill in Ohio seeks to establish a default 50/50 custody arrangement in divorce cases, meaning that both parents would automatically receive equal parenting time with their children, barring any extenuating circumstances. The primary objective of this legislation is to ensure that children hav ..read more

In the state of Ohio, courts determine the best interests of a child during a divorce or separation in establishing custody. To ensure the child’s well-being and stability, there are situations where a custody evaluation becomes necessary. High-conflict situations The divorce rate in Ohio was 2.6 per 1,000 people in 2021. In cases where parents find it challenging to reach an agreement regarding their child’s custody, the court may mandate a custody evaluation. These high-conflict situations often involve disputes or concerns about a parent’s ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment ..read more

In matters of child custody, courts strive to ensure that the best interests of the child take precedence. As part of this approach, Franklin County Court has established a model parenting time schedule. This schedule provides a framework for parents to spend time with their children post-divorce or separation. The model parenting time schedule helps maintain a sense of routine and predictability for the child, and facilitates balanced involvement of both parents. The standard parenting time schedule The standard parenting time schedule in Franklin County Court seeks to create a stable environ ..read more

Boundaries are essential when you are a co-parent. Unfortunately, you only need to worry about limitations when the other person is not receptive to the idea. Creating space between you and the other parent requires patience and consistency. You might sometimes feel tempted to give into your co-parent’s behavior, but it is essential to maintain your mental health to be a good parent. See below for tips on setting realistic boundaries with a co-parent. Make direct statements According to Psychology Today, directness is the key to setting boundaries. Passive or vague statements will not cut it ..read more

Child custody is one of the most hotly contested issues for spouses getting divorced. Both parties generally want what is in the best interests of the children, but there may be a difference in opinion of what this involves. In some cases, one or both parents do a disservice to their custody chances by performing certain actions. Here are five mistakes that can cost you custody of your child in Ohio. 1. Focusing on your own interests It is important for parents to take care of themselves, especially while going through a trying time like a divorce. However, focusing on your own interests to th ..read more

If you have a child in your family, but the father or mother passes away, you might wonder about your visitation rights. Some family members might worry that with the passing away of your blood relative, your connection with the child might end. According to O.R.C. 3109.11, you have legal options to pursue if the parent does not let you see the child. Sometimes the surviving parent isolates their child from their extended family, knowingly or in ignorance. Factors the court considers Grandparents and relatives may file a complaint requesting reasonable companionship and visitation for unmarrie ..read more

Custody battles can become challenging when the parties do not agree. In these cases, you typically have to go before a judge, who will determine your custody arrangement. With a contentious custody dispute, an Ohio judge could order you to attend parenting classes or counseling because the court’s primary concern is the best interest of the child. These are some things you should know about these child custody cases. Ordered classes An Ohio judge can order you to take a variety of different classes before ruling on your child custody case and setting a final parenting plan. For example, in ad ..read more

Trying to earn full custody of your children can be difficult. When you are looking to do what is best for your children, sometimes it can mean having them live with you full-time. Unfortunately, Ohio custody laws do not grant full custody to everyone who applies for it. However, several situations are likely to grant a parent full custody of their children. Unmarried parents When the parents are not married, the mother automatically gets sole custody of the children. Although custody typically defaults to the mother, the father can challenge this and pursue either shared custody or ..read more

Preparing for a child custody dispute is easily one of the most stressful family law issues any parent could experience. You love your child more than anything and you fear that you will lose precious time with them. At your court hearing, you will need the strongest case possible to ensure that the judge upholds your parental rights. The documentation that you provide can have make or break your custody case, so you should have every shred of evidence at the ready that you can. The documents to gather You can be certain that your former partner will do everything in their power to present the ..read more