Columbus Child Custody Attorney

Experienced Custody Lawyer Proudly Serving Clients Throughout Central Ohio

Dealing with the realities of divorce can be both legally complex and emotionally arduous--especially when a couple has children. However, whether a couple is married or not, child custody matters are especially difficult. Whether parents are married or not can even change the rules used by the Court throughout your situation. Our Columbus and Central Ohio child custody lawyers have extensive knowledge of Ohio law and courts and are adept at advocating for our clients and their children. We strive to ensure that our clients’ best interests are protected throughout their custody process and help them advocate for the best interest of their children.

When you work with a child custody attorney at our firm, we take time to walk you through how the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division, typically handles issues like temporary orders, parenting investigations, and enforcement of existing decrees. We explain what documents and information you will need to gather, how to communicate with the other parent during a pending case, and what to expect at hearings or mediation sessions. By clearly outlining the process from the first consultation, we help reduce some of the uncertainty and anxiety that often surround custody disputes in Columbus.

Because custody matters can affect many other parts of your life, we also look at how your parenting case may interact with related issues such as child support, division of property, or changes to your estate plan. Our team coordinates your family law representation with any other ongoing legal matters so that your overall strategy is consistent and does not unintentionally create problems in another court. This broad-based approach allows us to give you practical guidance that reflects how judges in Central Ohio actually apply Ohio custody laws in day-to-day situations.

Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe has been fighting for parents and children throughout Central Ohio for over 45 years. Call our law office at (614) 665-5833 or reach out online to set up a consultation with our Columbus child custody lawyers.

The Types of Child Custody in Ohio 

Child custody matters and family law issues can be settled in negotiation/mediation, or decided by a court through litigation. The major legal decisions that need to be made regarding parenting your children are divided into two broad areas. The parents must agree in settlement or mediation, or a court must decide both the legal custody and arrangements for parenting time (formerly known as visitation). There must then be a further agreement or decision as to whether the parents will be shared parents with a shared parenting plan or whether one parent will have sole custody in Columbus, Ohio. 

In many Franklin County and Central Ohio cases, parents want to understand the practical differences between these options before they take a position in negotiations. A child custody lawyer on our team can talk through how legal custody, parenting time, and shared parenting plans have worked for other families in similar situations, and what judges in Columbus often look for when approving or modifying these arrangements. We help you weigh the pros and cons of different structures based on your work schedule, the children’s school and activities, and the level of communication that currently exists between you and the other parent.

Understanding the Ohio Child Custody Process

Before filing anything with the court, we encourage parents to meet with us to review their current parenting situation, any prior orders, and their goals for the future. We explain the typical steps in an Ohio custody case, from filing a complaint or motion in the Franklin County Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court through temporary orders, discovery, mediation, pretrial conferences, and, if necessary, a final hearing. Knowing the stages ahead of time can make the process feel more manageable and helps you prepare for each decision point along the way.

During the case, you may be asked to participate in mediation at the courthouse, meet with a guardian ad litem, or provide information to court services about your home and schedule. A Columbus child custody attorney from our firm can help you understand what each of these steps involves, how to respond to requests from the court, and how your actions outside the courtroom can affect your case. We also discuss realistic timelines based on how busy the local dockets are and whether your matter is likely to resolve through agreement or require a contested hearing.