Cincinnati Child Custody Lawyer

Cincinnati Child Custody Attorney

To a parent, nothing matters more than the well-being of their children. When you find yourself navigating a custody dispute in the Queen City, it can be one of the most emotional and challenging times you will ever face. Of course, you want to ensure the outcome is in the best interests of your child, but also protects your parental rights. A Cincinnati child custody lawyer is here to ensure a future is secured where both your interests and your children’s are upheld.

At Hoberg Law, we have been helping clients just like you navigate the intricacies of a child custody case. We know that for many folks, this will be the first time they will need to appear at the Hamilton County Domestic Relations Court, and we understand how truly frightening this can be. With us on your side, however, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have fierce legal advocates ready to fight and protect your rights to the custody of your children.

Understanding Custody Arrangements in Cincinnati, Ohio

Custody and parenting arrangements can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit the unique needs of parents and their children. Many of these cases will occur as part of a divorce or marriage dissolution. The state of Ohio sees around 2.4 divorces for every 1,000 residents every year, making child custody a large issue. At Hoberg Law, we are here to help guide you through all the aspects of a custody case and understand all the factors that go into these decisions.

There are two main types of custody that can be granted in an Ohio divorce or marriage dissolution. These include:

• Sole allocation. This occurs when one parent is given the rights and duties of a parent and is more commonly referred to as sole custody.
• Shared parenting. This occurs when the parents share custody in one form or another and is typically called joint custody.

These custody arrangements can also indicate which parent has the legal authority, if the parents share the legal authority, to make decisions regarding the child’s well-being and upbringing, including decisions related to the child’s health, education, and religion. However, one parent may have a certain amount of parenting time, but is not given any authority when it comes to decision-making.

Likewise, a parent may be given equal authority when it comes to decision making, but a lesser amount of parenting time. Understanding how these nuances work is vital to your case and to ensure that your interests and rights are protected.

Joint Custody

In Ohio, joint custody, or shared parenting, happens when both parents are given legal custody, or decision-making authority, over the children, no matter where the child physically resides. Around 21.9 million children in America live in a household with only one parent present; however, their other parent may still be able to make decisions regarding their upbringing.

In a joint custody arrangement, the parents must create a shared parenting plan that will detail all the decisions that are to be made regarding the children and any prior agreements made already related to these decisions. Shared parenting arrangements are the preferred method of custody when it comes to the courts, but the judge may decide on other arrangements if they are in the best interest of the child.

Sole Custody

If you are given sole custody or sole decision-making, you are allowed to make decisions regarding the child without needing to seek the consent of the other parent. The other parent may be given access to certain records or information regarding the child and may be permitted to attend certain events, but they cannot make any non-emergency legal decisions regarding the well-being of the child.

These arrangements are usually granted in cases where one parent’s ability to make decisions is deemed to be detrimental to the child. This is often the case in situations of domestic violence. Ohio is familiar with cases of domestic violence, as the state sees around 14 crisis calls per hour regarding domestic abuse. The non-custodial parent may still seek visitation rights, known as parenting time.

How Will a Hamilton County Family Court Judge Make a Custody Determination?

When parents are unable to reach an agreement regarding the custody of their children on their own, they will need to look to a Hamilton County family court judge to make this decision for them. The judge will take several different factors into account when making these determinations, including:

• Parental ability. The judge will look at each parent’s ability to meet the needs of their children and the parent’s individual demonstration of being involved in their children’s lives.
• Parental relationship. Judges will review the relationships the child has with both parents, including which parent has served as the primary caregiver and who has been more involved on a daily basis in the child’s life.
• Child preferences. While the wishes of the child will not make or break a custody case, the judge will take them into consideration if they believe the child is mature enough to do so.
• Mental and physical health. If a parent’s mental or physical health is compromised to the point where it is more difficult for them to care for their child, this will affect your case. Additionally, if you have a history of substance abuse, the judge will take this into account when making their decision.
• Stability. If you are able to provide your child with a safe and stable home life, this will help you look more favorable to a judge. If you are financially unstable or have an unstable living condition, this can impact the judge’s decision.
• Co-parenting abilities. The judge will want to ensure that the parents are able to adequately communicate and work together to serve the best interests of their child. If you are willing to cooperate with your co-parent and maintain a healthy and positive relationship with them, the judge will see this as favorable.

Contact Hoberg Law and Hire a Cincinnati Child Custody Lawyer Today

If you find yourself involved in a case of child custody in Cincinnati, you need to hire a child custody lawyer as soon as possible in order to protect your parental rights. At Hoberg Law, we hope to do everything in our power to help you succeed as a parent and ensure that the custody arrangement is in the best interests of your children, and also in your interest as a concerned and loving parent. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation with our team.