Child Custody and Support
Child custody, now known as "Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities," is often the most contentious part of any divorce matter. Even parents who have never married often find themselves embroiled in bitter custody battles. We focus first and always on the needs and best interests of the children involved in our cases and can advise parents accordingly.
Our experienced family law attorneys work with a network of professionals, including guardians ad litem, psychologists, and other experts who will assist in achieving the best results in a parenting disputes.
Our team of lawyers works hard to stay up to date on the ever-changing area of child support, a crucial component of any parenting dispute. Both parents have an obligation to support their children until they are graduated from high school or age 19, whichever is later. Complex statutory guidelines passed by the Ohio legislature are used to calculate child support orders based upon the financial circumstances of both parents. The amount of child support calculated using the worksheets and schedules contained in these guidelines is presumed by the court to be the correct amount of child support in each case. Recent changes in the Ohio law more comprehensively account for health insurance costs, which are incorporated into the child support guidelines.
However, individual circumstances of each case bear on the nature and amount of child support which should be paid by either party. Often, there is reason to deviate from the statutory guidelines. Competent representation in this area is a must. Whether you are the payor or recipient of a support order, it is vital that your order is accurate and that payment is enforced.
Our attorneys work hard to see that our clients' rights are protected whether dealing with establishment of a support order or a modification of an existing order.