Compassionate Support Through Child Custody
As parents, we always want what’s best for our kids. But sometimes, that can be difficult to achieve, especially when divorce and custody disagreements are involved. Child custody is often the most important and complicated issue people face during their divorce proceedings.
At Stagnaro Hannigan Koop, we want to help you find solutions that work for your family, and keep your kids healthy and happy. We’ve helped families throughout Cincinnati navigate custody and create effective child custody plans with compassion at the forefront.
How Is Custody Determined?
In a litigated divorce, the courts are usually involved in child custody decisions. The courts make their ruling based on the best interests of your child. This commonly involves considering factors such as:
- The physical and mental wellness of each parent
- The condition of the home
- Location of each parent
- The relationship between each parent and child
- History of cooperation of each parent
- Your child’s wishes
A member of our team can help you figure out these factors and advocate for you in court if necessary.
However, in a mediated or collaborative divorce, the custody plans can be left to the parents. In these cases, our team of family lawyers has valuable experience helping parents create custody plans that fit their needs and suit their children’s happiness and health.
Finding Solutions That Work For Kids
When your kids are the center of your world, you want to make sure everything works for them. But finding a custody plan that’s effective and in your kids’ best interests can be challenging. That’s why creativity and experience are two of our team’s guiding principles. We understand child custody and we have experience to inform us, but we also pride ourselves in our innovative mindsets that can help you create an effective plan.
Custody involves many factors and it’s crucial to be thorough during this part of divorce. We can help you create a plan that covers all your bases including:
- Visitation schedules
- Parenting decisions (schooling, medical care, religious decisions, etc.)
- Vacation and holiday time
- Any necessary child support and child support agreements
- Legal vs. physical custody
- All the details (transportation, extracurriculars, communication preferences, etc.)
These plans are the building blocks of your child’s future. At Stagnaro Hannigan Koop, we understand that. It’s why our goal is always to help families succeed, starting with a solid custody plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody Law In Ohio
Fewer things are more stressful than the uncertainty surrounding child custody arrangements during legal proceedings. Below are answers to some of the questions our attorneys hear the most.
What are the different types of custody in Ohio?
Ohio custody breaks down into two main types:
- Physical custody: This determines where the child specifically lives and when.
- Legal custody: This dictates who can make major decisions on the child’s behalf, such as those about their education and health care.
Temporary and supervised custody options exist for specific situations. Each case is unique, and the court always prioritizes the child’s best interests when deciding custody arrangements.
How does custody affect child support?
Custody partially shapes child support. One parent typically pays support based on income, the child’s needs and custody specifics. Ohio courts prioritize the child’s well-being, crafting fair orders that ensure their needs are met, regardless of the living arrangement. For that reason, child support may be ordered from the higher-earning parent to the lower-earning parent even when physical custody is shared.
What if one parent travels frequently for work?
Frequent work travel by one parent can tilt custody arrangements. Ohio courts prioritize child stability, ensuring consistent routine and emotional connection despite travel disruptions. Shared custody plans may adapt, offering longer stays with the non-traveling parent during trips. In extreme cases, sole custody may be considered if a parent’s travel severely disrupts the child’s life.
What type of custody arrangement is the best for kids?
Forget “one size fits all.” The best custody prioritizes stability, a low level of conflict and strong bonds with both parents. Shared custody can be great, offering routine and perspective and strengthening parent-child ties. However, it demands mature teamwork and isn’t always ideal. Ultimately, the best custody arrangement is the one that puts the children first, with individualized needs met in a safe, supportive and loving environment.
We’re Here For You
We believe that families are still families after divorce, they’re just a different definition. Let us help you figure that definition out with a custody plan that works. Get in touch with one of our experienced, compassionate attorneys today to find out more. You can call us at 513-813-0627 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment.