The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174

Alert Key Legal Update

What Is Ohio Senate Bill 174?

IIn May 2025, Ohio Senate Bill 174 was introduced by Senators Gavarone and Hicks-Hudson. The bill is currently in the Senate Committee. The proposed legislation would amend several sections of the Ohio Revised Code, adopt new section numbers, and even repeal a few sections regarding the allocation of parenting responsibilities in a parenting plan.

Ohio Senate Bill 174 – Key Parenting Law Changes

The bill, which is over 400 pages long, establishes a state public policy to foster and continue the relationship between the child and each parent when allocating parenting responsibilities and for each parent to have parenting time and participate in decision-making regarding the child, when it is in the child’s best interest. It replaces language to make the law more modern. For example, instead of using the terminology “parenting time” the bill utilizes the term “companionship”.

The bill also eliminates the use of the phrase “parental rights and responsibilities” for a more child-centered phrase of “parenting responsibilities”.… View Full Article → “The Proposed Overhaul of Ohio Parenting and Custody Law – The Introduction of Ohio Senate Bill 174”

LEGAL ALERT: Expanding the Ohio ‘Castle Doctrine’ – Ohio HB338 Signed into Law!

Ohio Castle Doctrine expansion

Championing Change: How HB338 Expands the Ohio Castle Doctrine to Protect Disabled Children

On October 26, 2024, I posted a legal alert blog here, regarding pending Ohio Senate legislation focused on the Ohio Castle Doctrine expansion. Click here to read it. On Thursday December 19, 2024, Governor Mike DeWine signed HB338 into law. I wanted to share this excellent news on this important family law development!

The new law allows a court to issue or modify a child support order for the care of a child who is a person with a disability as part of a divorce/dissolution, regardless of whether the child is over the age of 18 when the parents” divorced. It clarifies a split amongst the Ohio appellate districts about whether a court can order child support if the child is over 18 but has had a disability since they were a minor (and are not self-supporting). It’s an extension of the current Castle doctrine.… View Full Article → “LEGAL ALERT: Expanding the Ohio ‘Castle Doctrine’ – Ohio HB338 Signed into Law!”

LEGAL ALERT: New Proposed Ohio Law Would Allow Military Families to Choose Schools for Their Children

Alert! Key Legal Update

What does the new Ohio Senate Bill 208 military school choice mean for Military families?

Impact of Ohio Senate Bill 208 Military School Choice on Military Families

Reflecting on the recent Memorial Day holiday and thinking about how much our military families have sacrificed and continue to do so, I wanted to draw attention to Senate Bill 208 which was passed by the Ohio Senate on May 22, 2024. State Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson is credited with being the primary sponsor of the bill and says that it was brought to her attention as an issue of great importance by the Department of Defense.

“Military families are at a disadvantage when it comes to enrollment options available to their children, due to the timing of military directed moves,” said Shane Preston, Great Lakes Region Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense, in written testimony. “Military families move frequently and change school systems upwards of 10 times prior to graduation.”… View Full Article → “LEGAL ALERT: New Proposed Ohio Law Would Allow Military Families to Choose Schools for Their Children”

LEGAL DEVELOPMENT: OHIO’S SOCIAL MEDIA PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ACT HALTED

Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act

Temporarary Restraining Order Halts Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act. What Happens Now?

Per the blog post published on January 6th, 2024 the Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act was supposed  to go into effect on January 15, 2024. However, on Tuesday, January 9th, a temporary restraining order was granted out of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

The Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act  requires parents of children under 16 to give consent for their child to use social media sites such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Additionally, the law would require social media sites to comply with this law or face civil penalties. To read more on the Act visit our blog post here

Issues with the Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act arise from what a “social media operator” is actually defined to be. NetChoice, a tech trade association challenged the law stating that it violated free speech principles because there is no notice as to the specific sites that will be impacted by this law.… View Full Article → “LEGAL DEVELOPMENT: OHIO’S SOCIAL MEDIA PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ACT HALTED”

LEGAL ALERT – New Ohio Law Designed to Help Protect Children Under Age 16 Requiring Parental Consent Before Kids Can Use Many Social Media Sites

Alert Key Legal Update

Social Media Parental Notification Act To Help Safeguard Children From The influence of Social Media Sites.

The Ohio fiscal budget for 2023-24 that was signed into effect earlier this year by Governor Mike DeWine, has incorporated stricter laws to try and safeguard children from the influence of social media. The Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act will go into effect on January 15, 2024.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 95% of young people ages 13-17, actively use social media. Governor DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted saw the growing need to try and enact legislation to help parents keep their children from harmful effects that social media might have.

The Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act requires parents of children under 16 years old to give consent for their child to use social media sites such as Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. The consent form must be submitted in written form and signed electronically.… View Full Article → “LEGAL ALERT – New Ohio Law Designed to Help Protect Children Under Age 16 Requiring Parental Consent Before Kids Can Use Many Social Media Sites”

Has Your Ohio Driver’s License Been Suspended in Montgomery County Because Of Missed Child Support Payments? If So, Read About This Special Reinstatement Program in August Only

Alert Key Legal Update

August brings special program for Child Support Awareness Month

PUBLISHER’S UPDATE NOTE:

August is “child support awareness month.” On August 6, 2022, we alerted our readers about this special limited-time opportunity. It appears that the only new updates from last year are that more people are taking advantage of it.

In 2021, 44 people took advantage of it and $12,000 was collected. In 2022, 119 people took advantage of the reinstatement opportunity, resulting in more than $32,139 being collected. This is noteworthy opportunity to take advantage of if your driving privileges have been suspended for non-payment of child support!

Special License Reinstatement Program to Run Through August

Parents in Montgomery County who have had their drivers privileges suspended for not paying child support can take advantage of a special reinstatement program that is being offered during the month of August. August is Child Support Awareness Month, and the Montgomery County Child Support Enforcement Agency is giving parents with suspended licenses an opportunity to have the suspension lifted if the parent pays one month of back support.… View Full Article → “Has Your Ohio Driver’s License Been Suspended in Montgomery County Because Of Missed Child Support Payments? If So, Read About This Special Reinstatement Program in August Only”

ALERT: IRS Tax Changes for 2023 That Could Affect You Especially if You Use Venmo or PayPal

Alert Key Legal Update

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: After publishing this blog on December 17, 2022, the I.R.S. made a change as to the effective date for the “gig-tax” rule discussed. Please read the update here.

Highlights of the New Tax Law Changes for 2023

With 2023 fast approaching, it is time to look at changes to income tax rules and regulations for 2023 and how they may affect you.

As is usually the case, 2023 will bring annual inflation adjustments to many tax provisions. Some of the more notable ones are as follows: the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly rises to $27,700 from $25,900 and for single individuals, up to $13,850 from $12,950; the estate tax exclusion for decedent’s estates rises to $12,920,000 from $12,060,000; and the annual exclusion for gifts increases to $17,000 from $16,000 for 2022.

One of the more significant changes applies to those who earn income through payment apps such as Venmo and PayPal.… View Full Article → “ALERT: IRS Tax Changes for 2023 That Could Affect You Especially if You Use Venmo or PayPal”

Page 1 of 2
1 2