Child Custody

Ohio Shared Parenting ∙ Child Custody Attorney

Legal issues involving children, such as child custody, are often the most difficult and sensitive matters in a divorce or dissolution. Melissa Graham-Hurd, Attorney at Law will work with you to ensure that your legal rights and the rights of your family are protected regardless of which child-related issue you are facing. For experienced advice and legal counsel, contact child custody lawyer Melissa Graham-Hurd today.

Allocation of Parenting Rights and Responsibilities (Child Custody)

This procedure was formerly known as a determination of custody. It refers to the legally awarded rights and responsibilities for the care, custody and nurturing of children. These child custody responsibilities and children's rights can be awarded to one parent (sole custody) or to both parents (joint custody). If both parents are awarded the responsibilities, a shared parenting plan must be drafted and submitted for court approval.

Shared Parenting Plan (Joint Custody Agreement)

A shared parenting plan is a written document (ideally prepared by both parents together, but can be prepared by one parent) that reflects what the parents believe to be in the best interest of the children with regards to all aspects of their care for the child/children. Shared parenting plans must address:

• Legal custody addresses how decisions about school placement, religious upbringing, sports, activities, mental, dental and physical health and other important decisions are to be made, whether jointly and mutually between the parents, or whether the parents agree to allocate decisions on specific topics between themselves;
• Physical custody addresses the physical residence of the child. Decisions will need to be made about the amount of time each parent will have with the child (shared parenting does not necessarily mean equal time), how summer recess from school, school breaks and holidays will be shared; and
• Child support addresses how the financial responsibility for meeting the needs of the children will be shared, including health insurance, uninsured healthcare costs, tax exemptions, and other such money issues.

If a plan can successfully be drafted and approved by the court, then the time, expense and emotional trauma of a child custody trial can be avoided.

Parenting Time (Visitation)

Parenting time (formerly known as visitation), is awarded by the court only if the allocation of parenting rights and responsibilities was awarded to a sole parent (sole custody). Parenting time is the time the child spends with the parent that he or she doesn't live with most of the time. There is no decision making authority (legal custody) granted with parenting time.

Third Party Visitation (for non-parents)

This refers to time the child is permitted by the court to spend with an adult who is not his or her parent. This would include grandparents, relatives or another person who wishes to maintain a connection with the child and the court agrees that the relationship should be continued.

Contact an Experienced Child Custody Attorney

Melissa Graham-Hurd is knowledgeable about Ohio child custody laws and can help you understand how they apply to your case. To discuss your legal options with a compassionate and experienced child custody lawyer in Ohio, contact attorney Melissa Graham-Hurd.

Melissa Graham-Hurd
333 South Main St.
Suite 301
Akron, Ohio 44308
330-996-4099

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Melissa Graham-Hurd provides legal services for clients in Akron, Barberton, Bath, Canal Fulton, Canton, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Green, Hudson, Jackson Twp., Lakemore, Macedonia, Massillon, North Canton, Norton, Peninsula, Springfield Twp., Stow, Twinsburg, Wadsworth, Wooster, Stark County, Summit County, Wayne County, and  Medina County