Columbus Child Visitation Attorney

Experienced Visitation Rights Lawyers Serving Franklin County, OH

When parenting time is uncertain or breaking down, it affects every part of your life. You may be worried about missed visits, confusing court papers, or how constant conflict with the other parent is affecting your child. As a Columbus child visitation attorney parents turn to for guidance, Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe helps families bring structure and clarity to these difficult situations.

We understand that no two families are the same. Work schedules, school calendars, transportation, and your child’s unique needs all play a role in what a parenting schedule should look like. Our firm has been serving individuals and families in Columbus and Franklin County since 1977, and we draw on that experience to help you understand your options and move forward with a plan that fits your life.

From initial conversations through court hearings when needed, we focus on listening to your concerns and explaining the Ohio visitation process in clear terms. Our goal is to help you protect your relationship with your child and to navigate the Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court system with confidence.

To speak with our experienced Columbus child visitation lawyers, call us at (614) 665-5833 or contact us online today. 

Visitation Challenges We Help Columbus Parents Address

Parents come to us when they feel stuck, frustrated, or shut out of important time with their children. Some are creating a parenting schedule for the first time during a divorce or separation. Others already have a court order but face constant problems, like missed pickups, late returns, or last minute cancellations that leave everyone upset.

We frequently work with parents who are struggling to manage holidays, school breaks, and summer schedules in a way that feels fair and predictable. Conflicts can arise when one parent wants to move, change jobs, or adjust their work hours, and the existing order no longer fits daily life. These changes can put real pressure on families in the Columbus area, especially when parents already have demanding jobs or limited transportation.

Some parents also have serious concerns about the other parent’s behavior, living situation, or decision making. They may worry about safety, substance use, or whether homework and routines are followed. As a visitation lawyer Columbus families rely on, we help parents understand how these issues fit into Ohio’s legal standards and what options may exist to address them through negotiation, modification, or, when necessary, court action.

Why Work With Our Visitation Lawyers For Your Family’s Future

Choosing the right legal team for a visitation matter is about more than filling out forms. Your parenting schedule connects to many other parts of your life, such as child support, property division, work obligations, and long term planning. Because Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe is a full service firm, we are able to consider how all of these factors work together, rather than looking at parenting time in isolation.

Our firm has been based in Columbus since 1977. Over decades, we have built a reputation in Central Ohio for service and integrity. That history means we understand how Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court can handle parenting time issues, and we know how local procedures and expectations may affect your case. We use that knowledge to help you make informed decisions about whether to pursue agreement, mediation, or litigation.

We also believe your goals and your child’s needs should drive the strategy. Our attorneys take the time to listen to your concerns, learn about your daily routines, and understand your priorities for your child’s wellbeing. Whether you need a child visitation lawyer Columbus parents can trust for a relatively cooperative case or a highly contested one, we work to craft a clear, detailed plan that reflects what matters most to you and your family.

How Child Visitation Works Under Ohio Law

Ohio law often uses the terms parenting time and companionship instead of simply visitation, but the core idea is the same. Courts look at how to structure time so that it serves the child’s best interests. This usually includes a regular weekly schedule, arrangements for weekends, holidays, school breaks, and summer, and details about transportation and exchanges.

Judges in Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court may start with local parenting time guidelines as a reference point. These guidelines offer a standard pattern for when the child is with each parent throughout the year. However, they are not a one size fits all solution. Orders can be tailored when parents agree on something different, or when a judge finds that another arrangement better fits the child’s needs and each parent’s circumstances.

Ohio courts consider many factors when deciding parenting time, such as each parent’s involvement with the child, the child’s school and community ties, the distance between homes, and each parent’s willingness to support a relationship with the other parent. There is no automatic rule that favors one parent over the other. When we work with you, we explain how these legal standards may apply in your situation and what types of schedules are often considered workable in Franklin County based on your child’s age and your family’s routines.

What To Do If Your Current Visitation Order Is Not Working

Many parents contact us after living with a parenting time order that no longer fits their real lives. Work shifts may have changed, the child may have new school or activity commitments, or one parent may have moved to a different part of Central Ohio. In other situations, the problem is not the schedule on paper but a pattern of missed or disrupted visits that leaves the child and the other parent disappointed and confused.

Before making decisions, it can help to gather clear information about what has been happening. Keeping a simple record of parenting time, including dates of missed or shortened visits and any written communication about these issues, often provides a more accurate picture. It is also important to avoid arguments in front of the child or involving them in adult conflict, even when you feel justifiably frustrated.

If informal discussions are not improving the situation, legal action may be appropriate. Options can include seeking enforcement of the current order, asking the court to clarify unclear provisions, or requesting a modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. A visitation attorney Columbus parents turn to for guidance can review your existing order and your recent experiences, then explain which paths may be realistic under Ohio law and what each step could involve in Franklin County court.

Our Approach To Visitation Cases In Columbus

When you come to us with a visitation concern, our first step is to listen. We want to understand your relationship with your child, your concerns about the current situation, and your goals for the future. We then review any existing court orders, parenting plans, and communication records so that we can see the full picture before offering guidance.

From there, we outline potential paths in clear, practical terms. Some cases are well suited to negotiation or mediation, where parents can work toward an agreed schedule that is later approved by the court. Other situations require more formal action, particularly when there are serious disputes about safety, relocation, or long standing patterns of interference with parenting time. We discuss the options that may fit your case and what each could look like in Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court.

Our work is grounded in our founding principles of service and integrity. That means we strive to be direct about what the law allows, careful in preparing your case, and respectful of the impact these issues have on you and your child. As a visitation lawyer Columbus families trust, we focus on details such as school schedules, transportation logistics, and communication methods, because these practical elements often determine whether a parenting time arrangement truly works over the long term.

Working With A Local Visitation Attorney In The Columbus Area

Visitation and parenting time cases often involve multiple court appearances, filings, and conferences. Working with a local firm that regularly appears in Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court can make the process more manageable. Our attorneys know the local procedures, common scheduling practices, and typical expectations for parenting time plans in this part of Ohio.

Because our office is in Columbus, it is easier for many clients to meet with us in person when needed. We can review documents together, prepare for hearings, and discuss changes in your situation as they arise. This local presence also means we understand the realities of daily life here, from commuting patterns to school calendars across Central Ohio districts, and we keep those practical points in mind when helping design or revise schedules.

Another advantage of working with Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe is continuity. Parenting time arrangements sometimes need to be revisited as children grow, parents change jobs, or other circumstances shift. As a full service firm with deep roots in the Columbus community, we are in a position to support you not only with your immediate visitation concerns but also with related family law and planning needs that may develop over time.

To speak with our experienced Columbus child visitation lawyers, call us at (614) 665-5833 or contact us online today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Change My Current Visitation Schedule If My Situation Has Changed?

In many cases, you can ask the court to change an existing parenting time schedule if your circumstances have changed in a substantial way. Courts in Ohio generally look for shifts such as new work hours, changes in the child’s needs or school schedule, a move that affects travel, or ongoing problems following the current order. The central question is whether a different schedule would now be in the child’s best interests.

In Franklin County, a request to modify parenting time usually involves filing a motion with the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court and explaining the changes that have occurred. The court then decides whether to adjust the order, sometimes after a hearing where both parents can present information. Our attorneys can review your current order and your recent experiences, then talk with you about whether a modification request is likely to be considered and what evidence may be helpful.

What Can I Do If The Other Parent Keeps Denying My Parenting Time?

If the other parent is regularly denying your parenting time, you do not have to simply accept the situation. It is usually important to keep a careful record of missed visits, including dates, times, and any messages or emails explaining what happened. This documentation can be useful if you decide to seek enforcement of your order in Franklin County court.

In some situations, a clear written reminder about the existing order or a conversation with guidance from an attorney can help resolve the problem. When that is not effective, parents may pursue enforcement or contempt actions, which ask the court to address a pattern of noncompliance. As a visitation attorney Columbus parents rely on, we can help you understand which steps are appropriate in your circumstances and how to proceed in a way that focuses on the child’s wellbeing while asserting your rights.

How Does A Columbus Visitation Lawyer Help In A Contested Custody Case?

A lawyer who handles visitation and custody matters helps you navigate both the legal rules and the emotional complexity of a contested case. We work to understand your goals and concerns, gather relevant information, and present your position clearly, whether in negotiations or in front of a judge. This can include organizing school records, medical information, and communication histories, as well as helping you prepare to speak about your child’s needs in court if that becomes necessary.

We also help you evaluate settlement proposals and potential parenting plans so you understand the long term impact before agreeing. Our role includes explaining how Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court may approach contested parenting time issues and what factors are likely to matter in your situation. Throughout the process, we keep your focus on workable solutions that support your child’s stability and your ongoing relationship with them.

Will The Court Listen To What My Child Wants For Visitation?

Ohio courts can consider a child’s wishes about parenting time, but those wishes are only one factor in the overall best interest analysis. How much weight a judge gives to a child’s preference usually depends on the child’s age, maturity, and the reasons behind what they are asking for. Courts are careful to avoid placing inappropriate pressure on children or making them feel responsible for adult decisions.

In some cases, a guardian ad litem or other professional may be involved to help the court understand the child’s perspective. We talk with parents about appropriate ways to share information about the child’s needs and experiences without placing the child in the middle of conflict. Our attorneys can explain how Franklin County courts commonly handle children’s input and what that might mean for your case.

How Long Does A Visitation Case Usually Take In Franklin County?

The length of a visitation case can vary based on several factors, including whether parents are able to reach agreement, the complexity of the issues, and the court’s schedule. Cases that result in a negotiated parenting plan may resolve more quickly, sometimes within a few months. Contested matters that require multiple hearings or evaluations can take longer.

In Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court, timelines can also be affected by the number of other cases on the docket and the availability of required services, such as mediation. During an initial consultation, we can discuss the steps your case is likely to involve and provide a general sense of possible timeframes based on our experience with similar matters, while keeping in mind that no specific timing is guaranteed.

What Should I Bring To My First Meeting About A Visitation Issue?

Bringing key documents to your first meeting helps us give you more focused guidance. Useful items often include any existing court orders or parenting plans, recent communication with the other parent about parenting time, and a basic calendar showing how time with your child has actually been split in recent months. If there are specific concerns about safety, school performance, or medical issues, related records can also be helpful.

You do not need to have everything perfectly organized before you contact us. Part of our role is to help you sort through what matters most. At our first conversation, we will talk about your goals, review what you have, and outline additional information that may be useful as we move forward.

Can Your Firm Help Me With Other Legal Issues Related To My Family Situation?

Yes, Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe is a full service firm, so we handle a range of legal matters that often connect to visitation and custody issues. These can include divorce and dissolution, child support, property considerations, and estate planning that addresses your children’s future. Having one firm familiar with your overall situation can make decision making more coordinated and reduce the need to explain your family’s history to multiple lawyers.

Because we have served individuals and families in Central Ohio for many years, we are able to provide continuity as your needs change over time. Whether you are dealing with an immediate visitation dispute or planning for the long term, we work to offer thoughtful, integrated guidance grounded in our values of service and integrity.

Talk With Our Team About Your Visitation Concerns

You do not have to handle parenting time and visitation problems on your own. If you are worried about missed visits, unclear schedules, or an order that no longer fits your family’s life, speaking with a child visitation attorney Columbus parents trust can provide clarity and direction. We take the time to understand your situation and to explain your options under Ohio law and Franklin County procedures.

At Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe, we draw on decades of service in the Columbus area and a broad family law practice to help you protect your relationship with your child. Our focus is on practical, personalized strategies and clear communication, so you know what to expect at each step. We invite you to contact us to discuss your concerns and learn how we can assist you in moving toward a more workable parenting time arrangement.

To speak with our experienced Columbus child visitation lawyers, call us at (614) 665-5833 or contact us online today.