Dedicated Child Custody Lawyer for Columbus Families
When it comes to your children, nothing matters more than ensuring their safety, stability, and happiness. Child custody decisions can be deeply personal and emotionally draining, leaving many parents feeling anxious about what the future holds. Whether you’re facing a custody dispute, seeking to establish a parenting plan, or need to modify an existing arrangement, having a knowledgeable and compassionate child custody attorney by your side can make all the difference. Robert L. Caplan Attorney at Law understands the profound impact these decisions have on your family. With years of experience in family law, he provides personalized, results-driven representation that puts your child’s best interests first while fighting to protect your parental rights. You deserve an advocate who listens, understands your unique situation, and works tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your family.
Child Custody In Ohio
With regards to child custody and visitation issues in the Columbus area and throughout Ohio, our courts are concerned with what is in the best interests of the child or children. In most cases, the judge or magistrate does not give a lot of weight to the reasons the couple is separating or the grounds for divorce when it comes to matters involving children.
The courts favor a shared parenting arrangement, where the child(ren) spend as much time as possible with both parents. Commonly known as joint custody, this arrangement names both parents as residential parents. Both parents have equal rights concerning important educational, religious and social decisions.
Usually the court will prefer to keep the children together, and not separate the kids to different parents (i.e., one to mom and one to dad). In this arrangement, establishing child support is typically not required as both parents share equal time, unless one spouse makes considerably more money than the other.
Establishing Custody In Divorce Proceedings
If a couple wishes to deviate from this standard, the court will take into consideration many factors including:
- The parent’s ability to communicate effectively
- Relative parental proximity to the children’s schools and activities
- Presence of addiction or abuse in one or both parents
- Living conditions that are a health hazard to a child (i.e., smoking when asthma is present)
As a child custody attorney, Mr. Caplan will work with you to identify the schedules and rhythms of your family, and to develop a parenting time plan that will be in the best interests of you and your children. He has the skill and experience in child custody issues to provide creative solutions to disputes that may arise, focused on protecting the best interest of the child and preserving the relationship that he or she has with both parents. He is also prepared to handle any complexities that may arise, such as health care and additional financial issues.
Should disputes arise during this process, a guardian ad litem is often named to represent the best interests of the children and ensure that they remain the priority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody
Child custody is a complex matter. To learn more about your child custody case, it is important to speak to a skilled child custody attorney. Here are some questions you can ask during your consultation:
What is the difference between physical and legal custody?
When defining child custody, parents may be given physical and/or legal custody. Physical custody refers to the amount of time parents spend with their children. Parents who have physical custody are responsible for their child’s basic needs and daily routine. A child custody schedule can be made if parents share physical custody, which determines what days each parent is responsible for their child.
Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to decide what is best for their child’s upbringing. For example, a parent with legal custody could decide whether their child goes to public or private school. Parents can speak to a child custody lawyer to learn more about their options.
Under what circumstances can I get sole custody?
Sole custody gives a parent full custody rights of their child with little to no involvement from the other parent. You may be granted sole custody of your child if the other parent is “unfit.” A parent may be considered unfit to raise their child if a parent has a criminal history, has abused, neglected or abandoned their child or has a serious psychological illness.
Can a parent’s mental health or substance abuse issues impact their custody rights?
Yes. Mental health and substance abuse are both factors courts may scrutinize when deciding child custody. A parent who has severe, uncontrolled mental health conditions or substance abuse problems may be less likely to obtain child custody and could have their child custody rights taken away.
How does the court handle cases where a child expresses a preference for one parent over the other?
A court may weigh a child’s preference when deciding child custody. However, a child’s preference is just one factor among other factors that could determine child custody. For example, a court may still prioritize a parent’s ability to provide for their child’s needs over a child’s preference. The most important factor a court will consider when deciding child custody is a child’s best interests, which include their safety, well-being and stability.
Start Protecting Your Time With Your Children Today
To learn more about how Mr. Caplan can guide you through the child custody process and deliver the results that will protect the best interests of your children, please contact Robert L. Caplan Attorney at Law, today at 614-252-2026.