This is Part 2 of a Columbus Ohio Child Custody Lawyer series on the Ohio Child Custody Process.
To view the other installments in the series click the links below: 
- Ohio Child Custody Part 1
- Ohio Child Custody Part 3
- Ohio Child Custody Part 4
- Ohio Child Custody Part 5
OHIO CUSTODY RIGHTS OF MARRIED PARENTS
In Ohio, parents who are married each have the right to have their child with them at any time. This means that if parents split up, and cannot agree regarding the Child, the old adage that “possession is 9/10 of the law” kicks in. This puts the Child in a terrible position – the Child becomes a wishbone, and ends up with the Parent that pulls the hardest. This is not in the best interest of the Child, and the Law has a couple of options for parents that cannot agree about the division of parental rights and parental time.
If the parents cannot afford to get a divorce right away, and cannot agree who should have the Child, one option is for the parents to attend mediation to establish a parenting schedule. Some mediation through the court system is free, even if you do not have a case pending, it just depends on the county you reside in. Click here for more information about mediation.
If one of the parents files for divorce, at a minimum, the following parenting issues will be decided if the divorce case proceeds to conclusion:
- Whether the parents will have shared parenting or if one of the parties will be designated the (sole) residential parent (commonly called sole custody, legal custody or physical custody)
- If the parents have shared parenting, which parent will be the child’s school placement parent.
- (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DESIGNATIONS OF RESIDENTIAL PARENT AND SCHOOL PLACEMENT PARENT)
- A parenting time schedule which allows for the Child to see both parents, unless one of the parents is a danger to the Child, physically or psychologically.
- Which parent, if either, should pay child support to the other
- The appropriate amount of child support to be paid
- Which parent (or both) is responsible for providing health insurance for the Child.
- Which parent (or both) is responsible for paying for medical expenses of the Child which are not covered by insurance
- Which parent (or both) will claim the Child as a dependent for tax deduction purposes (Ironically, federal law, not state law, governs which parent shall claim the Child for tax purposes, and a state law cannot order you to waive a right given to you by federal law. Still, Ohio law has not yet been changed to exclude this provision because nobody (yet) wants to litigate this matter on appeal. The cost involved outweighs the benefit of the dependent exemption, so unfortunately this law remains part of the Ohio Revised Code at this time.
PARENTAL RIGHTS OF OHIO FATHERS WHO WERE NEVER MARRIED TO THE MOTHER OF THEIR CHILD, AND WHO HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED PATERNITY
Q. Does legally establishing paternity entitle the Father of a child to visitation with the Child?
No. This is a common misconception. Another common misconception is that the Father who has established paternity is then entitled to visitation with the Child pursuant to the schedule that is set out in the local rule model visitation schedule of the county where the Child resides. This is also untrue. The purpose of those schedules is to provide an example of the minimum amount of time that a fit parent should have with their child IF AN ACTION IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT TO GET COURT ORDERED VISITATION, CUSTODY OR SHARED PARENTING.
Q. Does payment of child support legally entitle the Father of the Child to exercise parenting time with the Child?
No. Child support and visitation are two different things in the eyes of Ohio Law. Paying child support does not entitle a father (or a mother, as the case may be) to have visitation. Likewise, if a parent has court ordered visitation (parenting time) with their child, their visitation cannot be withheld because they have not paid child support, unless of course, they are in jail for failure to pay child support.
Q. Well then, how is an unmarried father who has established paternity supposed to get time with his child?
The Court must make an order granting the Father visitation (parenting time), legal custody (residential parent), or shared parenting before the Father of the Child of an unmarried female has the legal right to spend time with the Child. Ohio Law provides that once parentage has been established, a court designating the residential parent and legal custodian of a child of an unmarried mother shall treat the Mother and Father as standing upon an equality when making the designation. As with married parents, the Court can make an order upon the agreement of the parties, or after a trial in which the court ONLY listens to evidence which complies with the Ohio Rules of Evidence. If a person represents themselves, they are expected to comply with the Ohio Rules of Evidence just the same as a person who has a lawyer. This is something a lot of people find out the hard way.
K says
Me and my husband are still married but have been separated for almost a year now he was incarcerated and we have 3 children together he got out and lives with his mom and I let them go to see him on Weekends and now he won’t let me have two of our children back he let our son leave but will not give me my girls back .there is no court order for custody in place but he filled for divorce. What can I do to get my girls home my oldest is missing school
J says
In 2021 i will be married. For 4 years am going threw a divorce my soon to be ex wife doesn’t comply with what the judge or court wants her to do why we are going threw r divorce she had two other kids not by me. She keeps getting away with not complying how can the judge aloud her do do what ever she wants with out any consequences where i jump threw every hoops an have a paid lawyer where she has no lawyer
J says
What if a 16 year old child wants to change schools but the parents cannot agree? One parent is for it and the other won’t even consider it.
J says
I was wondering my kids dad had me sign a paper last school year so my son could stay there during the school year does that mean he still has residential parenting or was it just through the school year.. Also he went to my brothers house and took our youngest son friday and said he was keeping him for 6 weeks with no notice or nothing can he do that. I need some answers..
L says
I have a guy who is still married to the mother of his son, they have been separated for about a year now, she refuses to let him see his son, unless its under her terms. He has stated that he no longer gives her money to buy food buys the boy toys all the time. He is in a relationship with my daughter who has a daughter and this woman has stated that she doesn’t want her son around my daughter or granddaughter. He is a good dad he pays his child support monthly and was giving her money for food up until I got on his case because she receives food stamps, section 8 housing and child support but was still expecting him to buy more food and pay bills in a house that she, her boyfriend and 2 others live in. I did message her and told her that those bills were her responsibility not his. He has tried several times to get his son but she always has some condition he needs to meet, they went to court but the only thing that was issued to my knowledge is that the mother has legal custody. She has also told him that when he has the boy that he needs to be clear of where and who he has the boy around. We need help I’m desperate, she will not allow him to bring him to my house because she doesn’t know me. I have printed several things out on parental alienation and even did a questionnaire, and the questionnaire said she is at an extreme danger of harming the child. He has all the facebook messages from her. Please we need help.
A says
Ok I have a question I have a 22month old and me and my husband was fighting he said that I could not leave with my child is that true he said he could get me for cidnaping is that true and how can u get full rights with my daughter full custy rights what rights does a woman have how can I keep my daughter
Q says
My husband and I are still legally married but we have not lived together in 15 years. I let him get our 15 yr daughter for the summer and he is suppose to have her back home by August,2016. He has not brought her back and has enrolled her in school in California. She does not want to stay with him and she told him this and he refuse to bring her home. What can I do?
C says
Hi. If I am married would it be kidnapping to take my child out of state? I am getting a divorce from the father. I need to know about all this stuff
MB says
My husband and I have been separated for nearly 3 years.We have never been to court for any custody precedings or any legal placement of our 2 young daughters.I attended school and began a new career that requires I work between 50 to 60 hrs per week.He is currently living with his parents in their home with our daughters due to my work schedule.He claims that he has full custody,his mother agrees.How is that possible without any legal hearing at all?Or is it not and they are just being dishonest,something that occurred regularly while we were residing together.
L says
I need advice. my sons father passed away over a year ago. he had sole custody. I had visitation rights but was often refused them. my so is 17 almost 18 in june. hes been living with his half sister for the past year due to my health issues and custody issues associated with his father. his sister now wants him removed from the home and wants him to come live with me. what rights due I have as his mother? or what rights would his grandparents have as far as regaining custody. child services claims I would never get custody due to past drug history. I have been clean for over a year and would like to have my son with me. he’s having issues with being unruly amongst other things. I need help.
A says
I am trying to get as much information about this as possible, so you are telling me basically after divorce is final the father tectecally has no rights to his child, but yet is exspected to pay child support? Now, I am not saying in order to see your child you have to pay child support. Do you guys go through the bill of rights? Everyone has a right don’t they. You all want a father to be in their child’s life but can’t because the mom can do everything possible to keep him away. I am not understanding
J says
What rights do grandparents have when the parents are still married and live together and have no plan to divorce? Do they have the right to sue for custody because they are not getting visitation?