Ohio Supreme Court

Navigating the Unique Challenges of LGBTQ Divorce in Ohio

Why Collaborative Divorce Can Benefit LGBTQ Couples

In recognition of June being Gay Pride month, I believe it is worthwhile to share this blog about some of the unique issues that LGBTQ individuals face when ending a marriage, and also to express why taking a collaborative approach is recommended.

Ending a marriage is never easy, but LGBTQ divorce in Ohio can involve additional legal and emotional complexities that many opposite-sex couples do not face. Although same-sex marriage has been recognized nationwide since Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), many LGBTQ spouses built long-term relationships before they were legally permitted to marry. The gap between lived reality and legal recognition has lasting impacts on how Ohio courts handle property division, spousal support, and parental rights in LGBTQ divorces.

1. Legal Recognition and the Length of Marriage in LGBTQ Divorce in Ohio

One of the most important issues in LGBTQ divorce in Ohio is determining how courts evaluate the length of a marriage when a couple shared a life together before same-sex marriage became legally recognized.… View Full Article → “Navigating the Unique Challenges of LGBTQ Divorce in Ohio”

Why Marriage Matters for Same-Sex Parental Protections in Ohio. Analysis of Ohio Supreme Court Decision in In Re: L.E.S.

Ohio Same-Sex Parental Rights Artificial Insemination Under Ohio Law

The Ohio Supreme Court issued a significant ruling on April 28, 2026, clarifying how parental rights are established for same-sex couples using artificial insemination. The Ohio Supreme Court recently clarified issues surrounding Ohio same-sex parental rights artificial insemination in a significant decision involving unmarried same-sex parents and the application of Ohio’s parentage statutes. Click here to read the full decision, which highlights a critical takeaway for LGBTQ+ families in the state: legal marriage remains the primary gateway to securing automatic parental protections under Ohio’s artificial insemination statutes.

The Case: C.E. v. P.S.

The ruling stems from a custody dispute between two women, identified as C.E. and P.S., who were in a long-term relationship before the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. During their relationship, P.S. (the biological mother) gave birth to children conceived through artificial insemination.… View Full Article → “Why Marriage Matters for Same-Sex Parental Protections in Ohio. Analysis of Ohio Supreme Court Decision in In Re: L.E.S.”

The Ohio Supreme Court Just Clarified the Standard for Terminating a Share Parenting Plan [LEGAL ALERT]

LEGAL ALERT: Who gets Legal Custody of a Minor Child After Termination of a Shared Parenting Plan? The Ohio Supreme Court Intervenes

Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court was asked to resolve a conflict between Ohio appeals courts. The difficult question that the Ohio Supreme Court was faced with in Bruns v. Green was whether there must be a change in circumstance in order to designate a parent the residential parent and legal custodian of a minor child after terminating a share-parenting decree.

The Ohio Supreme Court ultimately concluded that a trial court only needs to consider the best interest of the child when deciding whether to terminate a shared parenting plan and which parent to designate as the residential and custodial parent of a minor child.

Facts of Bruns v. Green – Ohio Supreme Court

Marcus Green (“Father”) and Kayleigh Bruns (“Mother”) are the biological parents of one minor child born in 2012.… View Full Article → “The Ohio Supreme Court Just Clarified the Standard for Terminating a Share Parenting Plan [LEGAL ALERT]”