Providing Skilled Representation to Ohio Parents

Ensuring that children are properly cared for after their parents' relationships break down is one of the most important tasks of the family law system. For many parents, child custody is the most high-stakes issue they will ever deal with through the legal system.

At the law firm of Plymale & Dingus in Columbus, Ohio, we understand how important these issues are to you. The lawyers at our firm will work closely with you to pursue your goals. Contact us today for a free phone consultation.

Understanding How Shared Parenting Plans Work

In Ohio, many child custody cases ultimately result in the issuance of a shared parenting plan. In these plans, both parents are usually given equal rights to participate in decisions over issues involving the child's education, medical treatment and child care, as well as given equal assess to medical and school records. If differences arise, they can be resolved through mediation.

Physical custody and visitation are dealt with by allocating each parent a share of parenting time. The amount of parenting time each parent receives may have a direct bearing on child support.
Each county has its own set of parenting time guidelines. For instance, in Franklin County, Rule 27 applies in divorce and dissolution cases, and Rule 22 applies to children born to unmarried parents.

Under both rules, the focus is on the best interests of the child.

Another issue in parenting plans is school placement. Typically, one parent is designated as the school placement parent, and wherever that parent lives is where the child will attend school.

Making Sure Your Child's Best Interests Are Protected

A shared parenting plan is not always appropriate. If one parent has a history of criminal activity, spousal abuse, child abuse or substance abuse, he or she may only receive restricted visitation rather than an equal share of child custody.

Child custody can also be modified if one parent wants to relocate or if the circumstances affecting the best interests of the child change over time.

To discuss how our experienced family law attorneys can help you pursue a positive outcome to your child custody and visitation case, contact us today.