co-parenting

Tips for Navigating Ohio Back-to-School Custody Disputes

Ohio Back-To-School Custody Disputes: What You Need To Know

As summer winds down, families across Ohio begin preparing for the new school year. While purchasing supplies, adjusting sleep schedules and helping with homework is stressful for any parent, divorced parents may face an added layer of difficulty: disagreements over school decisions.

Whether you and your ex disagree about school enrollment, extracurricular participation, or transportation schedules, Ohio back-to-school custody disputes can quickly lead to conflict. Knowing how Ohio law addresses these decisions can help protect your child’s daily routine and minimize stress for everyone involved.

1. Look to Your Court Order and Parenting Plan First

Under Ohio law, your court-ordered custody arrangement or Shared Parenting Plan serves as the primary roadmap for major decisions about your children’s well being, including education.

Before the school year begins, review these documents for specific terms regarding:

Who has final decision-making authority over school enrollment or are you required to reach a mutual agreement?

… View Full Article →

Summer Co-Parenting Tips: 10 Fun Activities for Kids with Divorced Parents

Summer Co-Parenting Tips Begin with Planning Ahead

Summer co-parenting tips can help divorced parents reduce stress while making the season fun and memorable for their children.. However, summer can be difficult on parents when it comes to juggling work, vacation, camps and childcare.

This is especially true for parents who are separated or divorced. Trying to coordinate summer schedules can cause tension and conflict. Although there is no easy way to resolve all the issues that may arise when raising children in two separate homes, there are some tips to follow to help make things easier for both the parents and the kids.

One of the most valuable summer co-parenting tips is to review your parenting agreement before school lets out. Make sure you have a clear understanding about what your agreement says aboutco-parenting during the summer months. Also, be sure to review the attached Court’s Standard Order which often adds more detail about Summer parenting terms.… View Full Article → “Summer Co-Parenting Tips: 10 Fun Activities for Kids with Divorced Parents”

Extracurricular Activities After Divorce-When Schedules Become a Battlefield

Extracurricular Activities After Divorce: Ohio Parents Need to Know

Extracurricular activities after divorce can be a source of stability and personal growth for children, but they can also become a major source of conflict between parents. I have previously posted a blog discussing the many benefits extracurricular activities can provide children, including improved academic performance, stronger self-esteem, and reduced risk of behavioral issues. However, even in intact households, managing practices, games, and lessons can be exhausting. In a divorced family, the logistical and emotional strain is often amplified—and what was once a positive outlet for a child can quickly become a major source of conflict.

Divorce does not eliminate a child’s interests, talents, or need for healthy structure. If anything, extracurricular activities can provide a sense of stability during a time when many other parts of a child’s life feel uncertain. But divorced parents must recognize that extracurricular activities also create unique scheduling and financial pressures that can become flashpoints in custody and parenting time disputes.… View Full Article → “Extracurricular Activities After Divorce-When Schedules Become a Battlefield”

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 vs. Co-Parenting

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

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?”