Custody, parenting time (sometimes called "visitation" in other states) and shared parenting are important terms to understand when you're getting divorced with kids. Read more to find out what you need to know.
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If you have minor children, you will need to plan for them as part of your divorce or dissolution. As you think about what’s best for your children, it’s important to understand some of the key terms:custody, parenting time(also called visitation) andshared parenting. Once you decide what you’d like to ask for you will need topropose a parenting plan to the court.
Keep in mind that whatever custody arrangement you make doesn’t directly affecthow child support works.
What is "custody"?
As part of your divorce filing, you must include how you want custody to be awarded for your children. The Court refers to this as "Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities" because it's about more than just who the child lives with.
In Ohio, there are two primary types of custody. There is "physical custody," or who the child lives with, and "legal custody" or who is responsible for making decisions related to things like school, religion and medical care for the child.
Both of these kinds of custody can be "sole" (assigned to one person) or "shared." Shared legal custody is called "shared parenting." Shared parenting is becoming more common. If you opt for shared parenting, remember that you and your spouse will be responsible for making these important decisions about your children together. It's also important to remember that choosing shared parenting does not mean that the Court will not order child support.
If sole custody is given to one parent,the other parent usually has “parenting time” (also called “visitation” in other states)—or the right to spend time with the child, including overnights.
Standard parenting timeschedule
Each county’s court hascreated a standardparenting time schedulethat shows when a child has time with each parent. You can review Montgomery County's standard parenting time schedule on the Court's website.
You can ask for the standard parenting time schedule, or propose your own schedule to the Court.If you're proposing your own schedule, starting from the standard schedule and making adjustments can help make sure you consider everything the Court will need to define in its final orders.
If you're not using the standard order, you must include the following language in your proposed parenting time schedule:
Out-of-State Relocation: Neither parent shall relocate the children out of state without first obtaining a modified non-residential parenting time order. The parties may submit an agreed order modifying parenting time, with a provision for allocation of transportation expenses, to the court for adoption by the court as an order. If the parents are unable to agree, the moving parent shall, prior to relocation, 1) file a motion asking the court to modify the parenting time schedule, 2) set a hearing, and 3) obtain a modified parenting time order. No continuances of the hearing will be granted without written permission of the assigned judge.
Access to Records: The non-residential parent shall have access to the same records, same school activities and to any day-care center which the children attend on the same basis that said records or access is legally permitted to the residential parent, unless a restrictive order has been obtained from the court. It is the responsibility of the parent obtaining a restrictive order to serve it on the appropriate organization.
Notice of Change of Address: Both parents shall give written notice to the other parent immediately upon any change of address and/or phone number, unless a restrictive order has been obtained from the court. A copy of the notice, including the parties' name and case number, shall also be provided to the Domestic Relations Court, P.O. Box 972, 301 W. Third Street, Second Floor, Dayton, Ohio 45422-2160, Attention: Assignment Commissioner.
The Court's standard forms include language that must be part of a parenting time order. You also can find the information in theLocal Rules of Court (Rule 4.24(H)).
If you disagree with your spouse
If you and your spouse disagree about your proposed parenting time schedule, you will need to explain to the Court why your schedule would be best for the child. For example, if it's not safe for the child to have standard visitation with the other parent, if the standard schedule would conflict with the other parent's work schedule or you and the other parent live far away from each other.
The Court's standard forms include information that must be part of a parenting time order. You also can find the information inthe Local Rules of Court (Rule 4.24(H)).
Creating a shared parenting plan
In shared parenting, both parents share legal custody, meaning that both parents make key decisions together about how to raise the child.
A child does not have to spend equal time with both parents for shared parenting.Instead, you should work together to suggest a plan that would work best for your child and your family.
For some parents, shared parenting sounds easier than it actually ends up being. You will need to agree on important decisions related to things like healthcare and education.Make sure that both you and your spouse are ready toraiseyour child together.
