Child Custody Attorneys Near Me in Ohio

Parents have rights and duties regarding their minor children even when they do not continue a personal relationship, so child custody issues will be at the forefront of any Ohio divorce case. Following the trend of other US states to modernize the language, Ohio’s statute uses the term “allocation of parental rights and responsibilities” to refer to concepts you might know familiarly as child custody. In addition to divorce, many of the same issues arise in connection with paternity proceedings.

Regardless of the type of case, one of the first questions that come to mind is “Do I need to hire an Ohio child custody attorney near me?” In short, retaining skilled legal representation is crucial if you are involved in a child custody dispute. The laws are complicated, and emotions enter the picture when addressing something as close to the heart as the parent-child relationship. Our team at the Fout Law Office, LLC is experienced in allocation of parental rights concepts; please contact us to set up a consultation.  

Things to Know About Child Custody in Ohio

Contrary to the popular misconception, custody is not just about where the child lives. The concept encompasses the important decisions involved with raising the child and how parents make them. A few points should help explain:

• There are different types of child custody that may be appropriate for certain cases. In most situations, parents will have shared parenting time and equal decision-making authority. Sole custody is reserved for situations where it is absolutely necessary to protect the child.
• Child custody covers decision making on health care, education, religion, extracurricular activities, vacations, entertainment, and many other aspects of the child’s life.
• A judge is required to determine all child custody matters in accordance with the child’s best interests. Factors include the child’s relationship with each parent, the mental and physical health of all parties, the parents’ ability to cooperate, and many others.
• Any child custody arrangement will also impact visitation and support, since the non-residential parent will have parenting time and be required to contribute to the child’s needs.

Legal Help With Child Custody Issues

It is not always necessary to go to court for disputes. Fout Law Office, LLC will support you in negotiating a parenting plan agreement, and we are also proficient with mediation. This process, overseen by a specially trained mediator, often enables parents to reach a compromise. If your case goes to trial, our Ohio child custody lawyers will develop a solid legal strategy to obtain a favorable outcome at a contested hearing.

Reach Out to an Ohio Child Custody Attorney for Legal Help 

This overview should convince you that there is only one answer to the question: “Do I need to hire an Ohio child custody attorney near me?” Protecting your parental rights and relationship with your child is a priority, so retaining experienced legal counsel is critical. To learn how we can help with your case, please contact Fout Law Office, LLC today to schedule a consultation.