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”

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?”

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

Alert! Key Legal Update

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]”

SCHOOL RESTARTING CONCERNS? DO YOU LIKE YOUR EX’S SCHOOL DISTRICT’S PLAN FOR YOUR KIDS BETTER THAN YOUR DISTRICT’S?

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Shared Parenting Plan and Covid-19 in Ohio

Keep Your Children Safe – Parents With Shared Parenting Plan May Consider New School District Options

COVID-19 has created havoc for all of us, but parents with school age kids have a whole layer of additional concerns. Of course everyone wants to keep their children healthy and safe. There are a ton of other logistics that they need to consider – work schedules, daycare considerations, and online/homeschooling, to mention just a few.

There are some similar themes in the plans presented by most Dayton area school districts. Most offer both online and some variation of in-person schooling. All schools are developing intense cleaning and disinfecting protocols. However, other than that, each district policies and procedures for reopening can vary greatly. Some schools offer a combination of in school for 2 days, and on line for 3. Others are offering half day sessions, while others are considering on line only for at least the first several weeks.… View Full Article → “SCHOOL RESTARTING CONCERNS? DO YOU LIKE YOUR EX’S SCHOOL DISTRICT’S PLAN FOR YOUR KIDS BETTER THAN YOUR DISTRICT’S?”