What Are Your Child Custody Goals?
Where will my children live? Will they live with me? Will they live with my ex? How often will I be able to see my children? Will they be happy with this arrangement?
The questions that you have as a parent who is going through a divorce can be complex and worrisome. Every parent cares deeply about what happens to his or her child and how the children will be affected by the divorce. Ohio state courts place a high priority on providing custody and support decrees that protect the best interests of the child and preserve the child-parent relationship.
Attorney Laura Helmbrecht provides skilled guidance through these negotiations and proceedings, advocating for your parental rights and the relationship you have with your child. She will present you with all available options and alternatives, allowing you to make informed decisions that are best for your family.
If you are facing child custody proceedings, call her Columbus-based law firm today for a consultation: 614-370-7897.
Child Custody Decisions — Protecting Your Parental Rights
During divorce, the court will decide how parental rights and responsibilities will be divided between the parents. One parent will be named the residential or custodial parent with legal custody and primary decision-making power. The other parent will be granted visitation rights, unless there are extreme circumstances that would make it unsafe for the child to see his or her parent.
The two parties will be given a shared parenting plan. While they can provide input for the judge, it is ultimately up to the court to decide how time will be divided. In shared parenting situations, both parents are granted equal parenting rights. This plan will decide vacation time, holidays, health care, expenses, education, child care expenses, tax exemption credits and child support.
The time between the two parents may not be exactly equal, but the court places a high priority on granting both parents as much time as possible with the children. This has been found to be in the best interests of the child.
The custody agreement impacts the outcome of the child support agreement. If the supporting parent spends more time with the child, he or she pays less in child support, generally. This is based on a formula and doesn’t deviate from the standard, unless there are extreme situations.
Child Custody And Support For Unmarried Couples
If a married couple divorces, the husband is the presumed father of the children and will automatically be factored into custody and support agreements. If the couple is unmarried, however, the father must be proven to be the father through paternity testing. After this has been established, the court will offer him parental rights. He will also be obligated to pay child support, however.
A Lawyer Is Waiting To Talk To You
Call for a consultation with Laura Helmbrecht: 614-370-7897 or contact us online.