Making it fair for everyone.

In the state of Ohio, child custody is referred to as the "allocation of parental rights and responsibilities."  If parties to a divorce action are unable to agree on a custody arrangement, the court will make an allocation of parental rights and responsibilities in the manner which it determines is in the best interest of the children - either primarily to one parent, who is designated as the residential parent and legal custodian of the children, or to both parents in the form of a shared parenting order. 

Q: What is shared parenting?

A: "Shared parenting" is the term used to describe what used to he called "joint custody". Both parents share the parental rights and responsibilities for the children, and agree that each will play an active role in raising the children. However shared parenting does not necessarily result in an equal, 50-50 division of parenting time. A shared parenting plan requires the parties to cooperate and make joint decisions on behalf of their children. Their agreement is set out in a written document called a shared parenting plan, which will include provisions covering all of the factors relevant to the care of the children, including physical living arrangements, child support obligations, medical and dental care, and parenting time.