Parties to dissolution or divorce in Ohio have a right to have their own attorney review any documents they receive from another attorney who represents their spouse. When an attorney represents one party the attorney will most certainly write the documents in a way that is advantageous to their... View More

Parties to a dissolution in Ohio must agree on all aspects of the dissolution or they cannot file for dissolution. When children are involved the parties must agree on custody, parenting time, child support and any other relevant issue concerning the children to have a dissolution. When parties are... View More

Parent alienation Syndrome and Malicious Parent Syndrome are not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as actual "Syndrome". A Divorce or Custody case in Ohio based solely on the issues of alienation and malicious parent fails to take into the consideration the best interest... View More

Unmarried Fathers can register their potential paternity with the Ohio putative Father's registry so the state is aware of the Father's claims. Unmarried Fathers in Ohio can go to Child Support to request DNA testing and an administrative order of Paternity to establish parentage.... View More

The Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure require that service must be completed on the opposing party prior to the court making any final rulings in the case. There is nothing to do until the papers are received from the post office, sheriff or process server. Parties who avoid service can be served by... View More

A parent can grant permission for a step parent to handle certain duties and responsibilities concerning their own child. However, issues may arise concerning the minor child if the other parent finds out that their child's opposite parent is relinquishing their duties and responsibilities to... View More

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3109.042 an unmarried female who gives birth to a child is the sole residential parent and legal custodian of the child until a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order designating another person as the residential parent and legal custodian. This means that the... View More

The best place to start for custody in Ohio when parents are unmarried is the County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Court. When parents are unmarried and there are different Fathers two cases must be opened one for each minor child. Many county courts have help with filing packets for child custody... View More

In Ohio, when parents are unmarried, the mother is the residential parent and legal custodian of the minor child until there a court order stating otherwise. The mother has the say if she wishes to grant the Father parenting time. The Father will need to file papers in court to allocate parental... View More

In order for a Dissolution in Ohio to be finalized both parties must sign all documents and appear to give their consent to the Dissolution at the Dissolution hearing. Some counties allow Zoom, Whatsapp or Bluejeans video attendance if one party cannot appear in person. Parties should contact the... View More

When parties need updated court orders concerning child custody in Ohio they can file a Motion for Change of Parental Rights and Responsibilities in the same case where there is already a court order. There are some forms available online from the Ohio Supreme Court which can be found at this link:... View More

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3119.07 If the parents have split parental rights and responsibilities, the child support obligations of the parents shall be offset, and the court shall issue a child support order requiring the parent with the larger child support obligation to pay the net amount... View More

Yes magistrate's have broad power to make orders to serve the best interests of the minor children of the case. The court will generally allow drug testing of parents if one parent offers to pay the cost or is alleging drug abuse and an emergency. It is highly advised that a parent involved... View More

Parties to a Divorce can file a Motion under Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure 60 B to request the court to grant relief from a Divorce or Dissolution judgment or order. Motions can be filed based on mistakes; inadvertence; excusable neglect; newly discovered evidence; fraud; etc. The motion shall be... View More

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3109.04 (E) (2) (A) Both parents under a shared parenting decree jointly may modify the terms of the plan for shared parenting approved by the court and incorporated by it into the shared parenting decree. Modifications under this division may be made at any time. The... View More

In Ohio, filing Motions for Ex Parte Emergency child custody orders varies county to county. They are not permitted in all counties and if they are permitted parties must meet the applicable legal standard to receive such an order. When an Ex Parte Motion is granted the court is required to hold a... View More

When there is already an Ohio court order in place for the children to live in Ohio and the non residential parent removes the children from the state it can take many difficult steps to have them returned. There is no clear path on getting the children returned to the state as every state is... View More

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2919.23 no person, knowing the person is without privilege to do so or being reckless in that regard, shall entice, take, keep, or harbor a minor child from the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. A parent guardian or legal custodian must give permission for a minor... View More

Southern Ohio Legal Services

3 East Water Street

Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

Serving Fairfield, Fayette, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, and Ross Counties

740.773.0012 or 800.686.3668 (toll free)

740.994.0910

https://www.seols.org/contact/

When parents in Ohio are married both parents are the residential parent and legal custodian of their child and can make decisions for their child such as moving out of state unless there are orders of court otherwise. Moving out of the state is not a guarantee to being able to remain out of state... View More