Ohio Parenting Plans and Custody Agreements - Getting Them Accepted by the Court

Ohio custody law is found in Title 31 of the Ohiogiven this authority, and this is the court that needs to
Revised Code. In chapter 3109.04, the law requiresaccept the parenting plan. Parents can find out county
parents who are separating or divorcing to come upspecific information at the county courthouse.
with a parenting plan that shows how the parents willSection B-1 of the same chapter of law states that all
continue to take care of their children physically andof the child custody decisions must be made in the
legally. This plan, also referred to as a custodybest interest of the child. This means that any parent
agreement, must be accepted by the Ohio countywho wants the court to approve a parenting plan must
court where the parents reside. It is important thatcreate the plan so it benefits the child. The following
parents spend the time and effort making a good planfactors are considered when a judge is deciding what
because the parenting plan affects every aspect ofis in the best interest of the child: the interaction
the child's and parents' lives. Here are some aspectsbetween the parents and the child; the interaction
of the law that parents should consider that will helpbetween the child and the child's siblings; the
them get their plan accepted by the court.adjustment of the child to home, school, and
In section A of 3109.04, the law specifies that the courtcommunity; and if the parent's have been able to
has the authority to make decisions about parentalcooperate or honor previous agreements. These are
responsibilities and rights concerning their minor children.the factors parents must think about as they create
The county court in Ohio is the court that has beentheir plan if they want the court to accept it.