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Ohio Child Custody Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: If a CPS case plan doesn't specify specific referrals/places for things like parenting classes, can I choose where I go?

For example, "Parent must complete parenting class," is all the case plan states. But let's say the caseworker prefers ABC class, but you go with XYZ class because ABC class has a wait list. Since the case plan is vague, would XYZ class be approved by the judge?

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I am a 14 year old child in ohio looking to choose to live with my father in Colorado. Can I choose to live with him?
Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Nov 8, 2024

If your father is seeking residential parenting of you the court can take your wishes into account. At 14, they will give your wishes significant weight. The court does not have to listen to you though.

0 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Ohio on
Q: Question about divorce. This has been pending for two years now.

If my soon to be ex husband doesn't respond to my custody settlement proposal at all and the GAL said she was unsuccessful at reaching him via phone call nor did he respond when she tried to schedule meetings... What happens in court? He currently has supervised visits with our children and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: There was a custody trial 9/27/2024 and still no decision from the Magistrate. What can I do to get a decision?
Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Oct 16, 2024

That's not an unusual amount of time for a custody trial decision. Once it gets closer to a month you can call the court and ask for an update.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: How to file for a temporary change of Parental time
Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Oct 14, 2024

This would be a motion to modify parenting time. This is a very common motion, and many courts have self-help forms that you can use to file the motion yourself if you go to the court in-person.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I have a court ordered parenting agreement, my children’s father is threatening to keep them from me.

I have called the cops and they said they couldn’t do anything but make a report but I’m not sure what I need to do.

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Oct 8, 2024

Police seldom get involved in withholding matters, even though they should. It is likely that you will need to file a motion with the court to hold him in contempt and modify parenting if he actually violates the parenting time order.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Criminal Law and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: What to do when a grandparent that has no court order or rights is stalking my child and making them feel unsafe?

She has already shown up at my house at random times demanding to see my kids. Has made false accusations and called the police on me. I have full custody and need some advice. I tried to get a protection order but was told I didn’t have enough evidence at that time.

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Sep 17, 2024

When she shows up call the police as she is trespassing.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: The father of my son hasn’t seen, called, checked in or financially supported him in over a year. Can my Husband adopt?

We have not heard from his father in a year if not longer. I have given up on texting and calling him due to him not replying. I send pictures here and there with no response. He has never financially helped in the whole 5 years but I never asked for child support. So at this point I think it’s... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Sep 17, 2024

You can file for a step-parent adoption in your county's probate court. Because the biological father has not been involved or paid support to you in over a year (even without a support order) his consent is not required to commence the adoption. You do not need to file for abandonment.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Ohio on
Q: What can I use against CPS that they can't loophole out of?

I lost custody of my son but still maintain my parental rights. Custody was granted to his grandma but she has lost custody of him twice. The first time she tried to kill herself, followed the case plan and got him back and then accidentally recorded a message on the Casas voicemail telling my son... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

You can start by gathering all evidence that demonstrates your efforts to maintain contact and the barriers you've faced, including the recorded voicemail and any documentation of missed visitations due to the grandma's interference. Present this evidence clearly to the court and insist... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: Can I win against an adoption petition?

I pay my ordered child support, but haven't seen my kids in almost 9 years. Their mother prevented contact. I know I should have filed for visitation long ago. My kids want nothing to do with me. What should I do?

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Jul 3, 2024

You are in a very tough position. A biological parent's consent is not needed for a step-parent adoption if they have had less than de minimus contact with the minor children for more than one year without reasonable excuse. A court will have a hard time concluding that your failure to file... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: Fiance wants to adopt my daughter once married, what kind can we do?

My daughter's father has been no contact for 2 years and he never established paternal rights in court, but is on birth certificate. When I was going to file officially for custody, 6 different lawyers during consultations informed me that because we were never married and he never... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Jun 6, 2024

If the biological father has EITHER gone more than one year without de minimus (negligible amount) of contact with the minor child without reasonable cause OR has failed to provide support for the minor child, even without a child support order, then the biological father's consent is not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Ohio on
Q: Do I still have a chance?

What can I do after permanent custody was granted to CPS from the lies that can be proven with transcripts from court, having a split decision at the 11th district Court of appeals and my attorney was 48 minutes late filing the appeal to the Supreme Court due to documented computer glitch, stating... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 24, 2024

You still have options to pursue, even after permanent custody was granted to CPS. Given the documented issues with your attorney's late filing due to a computer glitch and the alleged lies that can be proven with court transcripts, you may be able to seek legal recourse. One potential step is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I need help trying to get visitation for my 2 daughters, I don’t have a lot of money, and I’m trying to get help
Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on May 2, 2024

Visitation and parenting time is a pretty low bar to clear. Unless you have serious background issues (drug addiction, violent crime, child endangerment) you have a good chance of getting temporary parenting time and a parenting plan in place even without counsel. Portage juvenile court has some... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Domestic Violence, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Ohio on
Q: How to formally inform child welfare court that both parents moved states?

Married parents are pro se defendants regarding a child welfare case that moved states because the barrier to obtain secure and maintain stable housing. This was due to the tort harassment events by government agencies, community servicing organizations, and the courts that assign hopeful people to... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 1, 2024

You should file a Notice of Change of Address with the court giving the court your new physical address, mailing address (if different), telephone number, and email address.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Legal Malpractice for Ohio on
Q: Can a custody lawyer sign his clients name on legal court documents?

Can a lawyer sign a sworn affidavit for a client?

I got emergency custody paperwork from the court and they sent two sets of papers. Well I got to looking at my ex’s signature on the paperwork and there is two signatures one is 100% not hers. It looks like her lawyer tried to copy her... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on May 2, 2024

Answer to your immediate question: No.

Answer to your unasked question; do not make this a thing. She is going to say that is her signature and there is not going to be anything you can do about it because notarization is there to protect the signor. Respond to the emergency custody...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: I am a single unwed mother. Can I ensure no visitation due to lack of contact even though I receive child support?
Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 23, 2024

If there is no custody order, and unmarried father in Ohio has no parental rights. That said, it is extremely unlikely that you would be able to prevent the father from getting parenting time if he sought a court order.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I have parenting issue with ex spouse with mental illness. He was been non compliant . He wants to modify the agreement.

When he doesn't agree with we agreed to, he's constantly is wanting to change things. We both are supposed to have an ROR, which includes talking to the psychiatrist and or doctors. I agreed to be transparent about my medical health, even though i do not have any psychotic disorders. He... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 11, 2024

I don't see a specific question here. It sounds like you may wish to either file a motion to enforce your present agreement, or in the alternative terminate your agreement in favor of you having custody reserving visitation to the other parent. It sounds like you may wish to have a Guardian ad... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Ohio on
Q: Where can I get a probono lawyer? also if my case just ended am I able to now file a new case in a different county ?
Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 8, 2024

There is not enough information here to answer your questions. Assuming that this is a custody issue in fairfield, ohio, jurisdiction follows where the children reside, so you would have to file any custody action there. In addition, courts will not allow you to relitigate custody actions unless... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: Is it legal for an ex to use my Facebook password to access my messenger messages

I shared my Facebook password with my son and his mother used it to login to my personal messenger account and read my messages between me and my family and friends and is trying to use them against me to take away my shared parenting is this legal

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 8, 2024

Though she may have "hacked" your account, there is nothing private about private facebook messages. All of those are routinely subpoenaed in custody proceedings and are discoverable information, particularly if they relate to the kids themselves.

You should take some solace...
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