Child custody and support in Ohio

Custody of the Children In Ohio

The State of Ohio doesn’t officially award custody. Instead, the state designates a residential and nonresidential parent. The idea is to keep both parents involved in the children’s lives. The Ohio court system feels that a child requires a continuing relationship with both parents, and giving custody of one parent versus the other will undermine that need.

The parties can submit a parenting plan to the court for approval. In many cases, the court will approve this plan, as long as it keeps the best interest of the children in mind.

Ohio Child Support Guidelines

Standard state child support guidelines apply in nearly every case, barring extreme circumstances. Both parents’ gross incomes and child-related expenses are taken into consideration when the support is calculated. The obligation is usually collected through wage assignment and continues through a child’s 18th birthday and potentially beyond.