My daughters father has seen her 2 hours in the last 18 months and very minimal phone contact. Nothing from him since may of this year. Do I have to hire an attorney to file abandonment? I’ve recently found he’s on drugs so I’d like him out of her life
answered on Oct 1, 2023
First, this is a very difficult situation to be in as a mother, and I want to commend you for asking a legal forum before taking action. Second, "abandonment" in Ohio is governed by Ohio Revised Code 3127, which says that a parent who fails to maintain contact with the child for 90 days... View More 
My daughters father has seen her 2 hours in the last 18 months and very minimal phone contact. Nothing from him since may of this year. Do I have to hire an attorney to file abandonment? I’ve recently found he’s on drugs so I’d like him out of her life
answered on Oct 2, 2023
I agree with my colleague but please also understand that the term "Abandonment" only has a meaning insofar as establishing whether a court has jurisdiction over a child. It does not impact whether a parent continues to have rights and responsibilities regarding a child. Generally, that... View More
Had CS hearing for contempt- couldnt make it. Warrant issued. Paid to get recalled, was issued new hearing (employee came out, handed me new date paper & said “be there”). Again, date conflicting. I asked how to reschedule. She refused to go back (hearing was done w/ me in the lobby) to ask... View More
answered on Sep 14, 2023
The employees cannot give legal advice. There are literally signs all over every court stating this. YOU are responsible for either hiring an attorney or learning the rules through independent research. Appear before the court ASAP and make your explanation. Better yet, invest in actually... View More
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answered on Aug 28, 2023
If you are facing a divorce and cannot afford an attorney, there are resources available to help you navigate the legal process. Many states have legal aid organizations that offer free or low-cost assistance to individuals who meet certain income criteria. These organizations can provide guidance... View More
My ex is active duty Army, and stationed in GA. Although we have a shared parenting plan, I have our children 90% of the time. Between school, sports, and extracurriculars working part time is hard enough. I worked part time for the entirety of our marriage (10 years), so that I could still parent... View More
answered on Aug 23, 2023
It is certainly possible for a court to impute income. It is at the court's discretion. You make compelling arguments as to the limits on your availability. There are many factors that can be considered by the Court.
In Ohio, child support is determined following state guidelines... View More
I have the necessary information (tax returns) to prove he is lying about his income. He has actually lied in all three affidavits. This is for a child support modification in Lorain County, Oh.
They have dragged this out for almost 6 years. I am now representing myself because I can no... View More
answered on Aug 21, 2023
You will need documentation to prove he lied. Then you will need to cross examine him regarding the questions he lied about , get him to confirm his affidavit answers then produce the conflicting documentation (assuming that you lay down appropriate foundation and can authenticate the exhibits.... View More
She turned 18 and graduated high school. She plans joining the military and has a job. The case was transferred to Tennessee and now Ohio where I live. Legal age here is 18 but since the order originated in PR the court is going by the 21 legal age.
answered on Aug 9, 2023
The Court and CSEA must follow the language in the latest support Order. You may file a motion to terminate support based on your daughter's emancipation once she is sworn into her enlistment. The court will then arguably have authority to rule on the matter. This is no guarantee but your... View More
I have a daughter who is 18 months old. Her biological father is on the birth certificate but has not done Anything for her in over 6 months. Can I file for abandonment and have him removed from the birth certificate and his rights revoked? He is on child support and has not paid one payment. I... View More
answered on Jul 25, 2023
If you are unmarried, he already has no rights. Ohio law does not provide for any custody or visitation for an unmarried father absent a court order. You don't have to do anything.
If you would like to strip him of any parental rights, the only way to do that is through a stepparent... View More
On June 5th 2023, the plantiff challenged DNA on two children he signed the birth certificate for so he can stall on paying child support. He was given 14 days to initiate the test and I have called and called and it's been well over 14 days and LabCorp hasn't ever heard from him. What... View More
answered on Jul 16, 2023
Please remember that this forum is no substitute for hiring an attorney of your own. If you do not have an attorney I strongly urge that you get one, especially if you're divorce has been going on for 2 years. If you do have an attorney please pay attention to the advice that you receive.... View More
Lawyer has not responded back to me since April mother and her partner have history of child abuse even both getting kids taken away before. Broke into home we had together lied about stealing my items then later admitting to both lawyers she has it also made false domestic violence claims causing... View More
answered on Jun 19, 2023
I am not sure I see an actual question here. Often a loosing party feels like they would have won if the Court only knew that the other side lied about something. While witness credibility is important, courts consider many non-exclusive factors when determining the best interests of a child.... View More
My spouse wants the child, works full time and I did not sign up to be a full-time caretaker after an unwanted pregnancy. If I abandoned the household and moved, possibly to another state, but paid my spouse a significant chunk of money every month to support the child will I go to jail for child... View More
answered on May 4, 2023
If you leave your child in the care of your spouse you will not be criminally charged. Your spouse may seek and likely get an order compelling you to pay child support. Ohio is a no-fault divorce state so the two of you may terminate your marriage for any reason, including incompatibility. Your... View More
answered on Apr 25, 2023
You can talk to the child support enforcement folks at your local prosecutor's office, but he probably owes that money to your mother, not you. So, they would be more likely to listen to her complaint than your complaint. Of course, before encouraging the State to go after your dad you should... View More
I'm not able to afford and honestly don't even know where to start to get the process going
answered on Mar 27, 2023
Terminating a marriage is a difficult decision to make, even more so with children. If you file for divorce, you could ask the court for temporary child support, temporary spousal support, and for your spouse to pay your attorney fees while the divorce is in process. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to... View More
My ex moved out in May. He stopped paying on the car i drive months ago and we had an agreement for him to help financially weekly but he stopped back in November and only has our 2 kids overnight 2 times a week. Now he is moving in with his current girlfriend who has 4 kids, 2 seniors 2 freshman,... View More
answered on Jan 16, 2023
If you are married, you should file for divorce and seek a temporary child support and spousal support award as part of your filing. If you are not married, you should go to your county's child support enforcement office to obtain an administrative child support award.
Will I need a lawyer for this court date, for the tax exemption, and my Fathers rights? And will a shared parenting plan be a separate court hearing after this one?
answered on Nov 9, 2022
Custody and child support are held in separate proceedings. If you are still at the administrative level, which I suspect you are if you filed objections, then CSEA has very little wiggle room on child support calculations. Typically you would seek to have the order adopted by the Juvenile court... View More
answered on Sep 7, 2022
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
My daughter's dad didn't want anything to do with her and didn't want anyone to know he had a child with me until there was a court order to prove that she was his now he wants to see her by himself without anyone there for more than a couple of hrs, he has seen her only a total of... View More
answered on Sep 2, 2022
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
answered on Aug 27, 2022
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
When the mother and I established paternity she refused child support I supported her financially since my son was born but we are at a point where we just don't get along anymore so I filed to pay child support. Can she still get back paid child support from when my son was born? I don't... View More
answered on Jun 22, 2022
A request for back child support must be made in advance. The parties are entitled to a trial for the court to decide if they cannot agree to settle the issue. At a court trial the parties can enter their testimony and provide evidence to the court concerning any reasons why the opposing party... View More
I have had both of my children ripped from underneath me. I pay child support for one and they left the state and I have no clue where she is. My son had an incident last year with his mother where children services were called on her and nothing was done and now she has moved out of state. I feel... View More
answered on May 12, 2022
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus may be able to help. The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) exists to provide free assistance and guidance to those attempting to navigate our complex legal system. In order to qualify for free services at The Legal Aid Society of Columbus, you must meet income... View More
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