The Importance of a Well Drafted Major Decision Making Clause in Your Shared Parenting Plan

major decision making clause in shared parenting plan

What Is a Major Decision Making Clause in a Shared Parenting Plan?

Shared parenting plans in Ohio, are designed to promote cooperation between divorced parents while ensuring that both remain actively involved in their children’s lives. However, one of the most overlooked yet crucial parts of these plans is the major decision making clause. This provision determines how key choices – like education, healthcare, and religious upbringing – will be made. When not clearly defined, it can lead to confusion, conflict, and future litigation. In my experience, one of the MOST important sections included in a shared parenting plan is the “major decision making clause”.

These clauses show the court that the parties are committed to cooperative problem-solving. In short, decision-making clauses should never be treated as boilerplate. Each family is unique – and the plan’s language should reflect that. A thoughtful, customized clause not only protects your client’s interests but also promotes the child’s well-being and reduces conflict for years to come.… View Full Article → “The Importance of a Well Drafted Major Decision Making Clause in Your Shared Parenting Plan”

A Young Lawyer Reflects About Having Grown Up in the Midst of a Contentious Divorce – Constant Arguing is Damaging!

A child sitting between arguing parents, showing the emotional effects of divorce on children

Reducing the Long-Term Effects of Divorce on Children Through Cooperative Co-Parenting

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:
I frequently receive comments about this blog post. It was written in the spring of 2023 by Shane McDonough, who was at that time a third year law student at the University of Dayton School of Law. Shane did a great job externing for our firm, and is now enjoying a fine legal career in Chicago. Well done Shane, and it was great chatting with you this week!

Understanding the Emotional Effects of Divorce on Children

If there is one positive aspect of my parents’ divorce, it is that I was too young to understand the effects of divorce on children. I was around two and a half years old when my parents were divorced.

Although I have no recollection of the divorce proceedings or the ensuing months following the proceedings, one of my first memories is a supervised visitation meeting with my dad.… View Full Article → “A Young Lawyer Reflects About Having Grown Up in the Midst of a Contentious Divorce – Constant Arguing is Damaging!”

Blast From The Past: What Are Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting Arrangements?

parallel parenting co parenting shared parenting plan

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog about Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on September 11, 2021. We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool and enjoy a few oldie but goodies!!

Parenting Methods That May Work For You: Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting

Ohio Courts may designate 1 parent as the sole custodial parent or both as equal residential parents under a shared parenting plan. In a divorce, the statute that establishes that is R.C. § 3109.04. The best interests of the child always are the paramount consideration.

However, there are two other parenting methods in the non-legal world that are important to be aware of in order to be fully informed.

Co-Parenting:

This approach will work best for those parents who act and problem-solve together despite their differences and are no longer living with one another.… View Full Article → “Blast From The Past: What Are Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting Arrangements?”

What Are Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting Arrangements?

parallel parenting co parenting shared parenting plan

Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting

Parenting Methods That May Work For You: Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting

Ohio Courts may designate 1 parent as the sole custodial parent or both as equal residential parents under a shared parenting plan. In a divorce, the statute that establishes that is R.C. § 3109.04. The best interests of the child always are the paramount consideration.

However, there are two other parenting methods in the non-legal world that are important to be aware of in order to be fully informed.

Co-Parenting:

This approach will work best for those parents who act and problem-solve together despite their differences and are no longer living with one another. Typically, these parents are operating under a shared parenting plan.

This approach involves putting the best interest of your child first often by making going between houses a low-stress situation, attending school functions and extra-curricular events with one another, and frequent, detailed communication.… View Full Article → “What Are Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting Arrangements?”