Columbus Child Custody Attorneys

During a divorce that involves children – whether biological, adopted, or from a previous marriage – the family law court judge will make the final decision on where the child will live, as well as the parenting plan and visitation for both parents.

While parents are encouraged to come to an amicable agreement about parenting time and custody, the court will still always rule with the child’s best interests in mind.

Shared parenting is typically favored by the courts, but that does not necessarily mean that parenting time will be a 50/50 split between parents: One parent will usually be named the primary or “custodial” parent, with the other retaining legal custody and remaining entitled to parenting time with their child.

In Ohio, you can also file for joint or shared physical custody, as long as you submit an eligible parenting plan to the court.

What Factors Are Considered When Determining Custody in Ohio?

There are a number of factors that the court considers when making decisions about custody, parenting time, and visitation, including:

• The mental and physical health of both parents and children
• Each parent’s home environment and financial resources
• Each parent’s working situation and job location
• The relationship the child has with both parents
• The child’s wishes, if the child is old enough
• Any history of sexual abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, or child abuse
• Plans to move out of the area, or a previous move out of the area
• The child’s adjustments to their community, school, and home
• The child’s relationship with loved ones, friends, siblings, and parents

Parents are rarely denied all custody of their child unless they have a history of abuse, erratic behavior, and violence. However, if you have concerns about abusive behavior from your future ex-spouse, our Columbus custody attorneys can help you figure out the right course of action to protect your child.