Ohio Child Custody Laws

Learn how Child Custody is Determined in Ohio, how you can modify custody orders, and more.

For some couples, divorce can be a painful process, especially when children are involved. Parents must decide how to split time with their children and how to make custody decisions together. When parents can’t agree on a custody arrangement, a judge will look to a child’s best interests to decide custody.

Ohio Custody Laws

The Ohio Legislature has removed the term “custody” and instead of granting custody, Ohio courts will “allocate parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children.” As part of the custody order, each parent will be assigned a parenting time schedule and visitation rights in Ohio.

Decision-making Rights

One or both parents may be awarded decision-making rights over the child. A parent with decision-making rights over a child (called “sole legal custody” in other states) can decide where a child will attend school and make major medical, religious, and legal decisions on the child’s behalf.

Parenting Time In Ohio

In terms of parenting time, parents can share equal time with the child or one parent may have most of the time with and responsibility for the child. The parent who primarily lives with the child is called the “residential parent.” The other parent is referred to as the “noncustodial parent.”

Visitation Rights in Ohio

Even when one parent has sole parental rights over a child, both parents are entitled to regular visitation with their children. Ohio visitation laws specify that each parent is entitled to a least minimum visitation, unless the child’s safety or well-being would be put at risk. And

Parents with substance abuse or domestic violence

Parents with substance abuse, domestic violence, or other struggles might be awarded visits that are supervised by an agency or third-party. However, while we will certainly fight harder for you than anyone else you can find, in cases where a parent has committed domestic abuse, a judge probably won’t cut off visitation completely.

noncustodial parent’s Visitation

A noncustodial parent’s typical visitation schedule is one weeknight during the week and visits every other weekend. A court may award either parent more visitation, but not less than the minimum guideline amount.

One Parent Preventing Other Parent’s Visits

Moreover, neither parent should prevent visits between the child and the other parent.

When one parent tries to withhold visits, the parent preventing visits can face contempt of court charges for preventing visitation. In the most extreme cases, the parent preventing visits might have their own custody rights diminished or taken away.

One of the factors a judge evaluates when deciding custody is each parent’s willingness to facilitate visits between the child and the other parent.

How Courts Determine Custody in Ohio

While a judge will consider the parents’ desires for custody, the child’s needs—not the parent’s wishes—will control. A child’s best interests are the most important factor in any custody decision. Judges will consider a family’s overall circumstances to make a best interests determination.

A judge may consider any factor that’s relevant to a child’s needs. For example, the court may consider a how a child interacts each parent and any siblings.

Judges don’t like to break up siblings or otherwise cause fractured relationships with family members, so they prefer custody arrangements that are supportive of healthy family interactions and continuity. A judge will also look at each parent’s physical and mental health, each parent’s stability, and the child’s ties to his or her current home and community.

The actions of the parents are also important. Courts are appreciative of parents who have demonstrated respect for past custody decisions and for the other parent’s relationship with the child. Additionally, a parent who has consistently fulfilled child support obligations will be looked upon more favorably than a parent who has failed to provide support for their child.

By contrast, a parent with a history of domestic violence or abuse won’t be looked on favorably and in most cases, a judge won’t award shared parenting responsibilities to a parent who has committed domestic violence in the past. See Ohio Code § 3109.04 (2020).

A judge will also look at each parent’s physical and mental health, each parent’s stability, and the child’s ties to his or her current home and community.

Shared Parenting and the Best Interests of the Child

In order for courts to grant joint custody, known as “shared parenting” in Ohio, a judge will analyze several additional factors, including how well the parents cooperate and each parent’s willingness to encourage the child to maintain a strong relationship with the other parent.

There are also practical considerations, including how close the parents live to each other. The greater the distance between the parents, the more likely it will be difficult for a shared parenting arrangement to work.

guardian Ad Litems

In some cases, a judge may appoint a guardian ad litem to asses a child’s best interests. A guardian ad litem acts as the child’s voice in a custody case. A judge may also consider the guardian ad litem’s recommendations regarding shared parenting.

Ideally, divorcing parents would agree on a workable custody arrangement themselves. But regardless as to whether the parents agree or the court ultimately decides, child custody decisions will be based on what’s best for the child.

To learn more, please see our blog section on divorces in Ohio and our blog posts on

Modifying Child Custody in Ohio

A child custody order in Ohio will stay in place until it’s changed or a child reaches age 18 or is emancipated. Either parent can file a request to modify custody. However, a judge won’t change the terms of your custody order unless there’s been a material change in circumstances and it’s in a child’s best interests to adjust custody.

Not every life change justifies a change to your custody award. For example, a parent’s remarriage or new baby won’t necessary result in a custody change.

However, if a custodial parent has major medical challenges or one parent has moved overseas, a full custody award in Ohio may no longer be appropriate. Ultimately, your child’s needs will govern the outcome of your case.

If you are facing a child custody dispute in Ohio, or seeking a divorce, the attorneys at The Lockwood Legal Group, LLC job is to be your advocate and we fight harder than anyone else for our clients.

The first initial consultation is FREE! So contact us right away.

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We can arrange a virtual appointment, in-person appointment at our office, or even travel to your home to meet you and your family.

Contact The Lockwood Legal Group for a free consultation today! Call US or send us an email.

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