Child Custody Serving Columbus and Central Ohio Since 1977

Columbus Child Custody Attorney

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.

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 custody lawyers in Columbus Ohi.

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.

Five-Star Client Testimonials

In Their Own Words

At KSR Legal, we prioritize your experience, and it shows. Read some of our client reviews below, or call us at (614) 665-5833 to get started.

"A Great Experience"
I was very pleased with Mr. Yarmesch, He stayed in contact with me, and returned my phone calls and emails promptly. Most importantly he negotiated a satisfactory outcome.

- Former Client
"Fantastic Experience!"
Steve is great and willing to help in any way he can!! Suzette doesn't skip a beat, and keeps it all on track!!!

- Heather L.
"The Best Family Law Attorney!"
Matthew is very professional & knowledgeable. He has helped me in many ways with obtaining shared parenting with my child. He is very professional with time management of deadlines in all cases and really is a overall great attorney to hire for all fam

- Former Client
"Top-Notch Service!"
KSR is amazing and they are my go-to lawyers!

- Don B.
"Highly Recommended!"
We couldn't be more thankful. Steven definitely made the process very easy and as stress-free as possible.

- Maria J.

More Reviews

Sole Custody

Sole custody pertains not only to deciding where the children will primarily reside. Sole custody involves one parent having all decision-making authority in significant aspects of the children’s lives.

Determining a child's religious upbringing, for instance, is a decision made by the parent who is sole legal custodian and residential parent. Similarly, if a child requires surgery, the question of who has the authority to make the decision to follow through with the doctor's recommendation arises. The decision will be made by the parent who holds sole custody.

Decisions about schooling, which school district the child will attend, and what extracurricular activities they can participate in, also fall under sole custody. For example, if the parents live in different school districts, usually the child is only able to attend school as a resident of the district where the residential parent lives, even if they are spending half of their time with the non-residential parent.

Is It Hard for a Father to Get Full Custody in Ohio?

It can be challenging to get full custody of a child in Ohio. The court will use the "better parent" standard when a parent requests sole child custody. This means one parent must convince the family court that the other parent is better.

Let the experienced Columbus child custody attorneys at KSR negotiate and advocate for you to help protect the best interests of yourself and your children. Contact us online or by calling (614) 665-5833 today!

Shared Parenting

Sole custody grants control as to decision-making to one parent, while shared parenting requires both parents to cooperate and communicate with one another to make joint decisions about the raising of their children. Parents in a shared parenting arrangement use a kind of negotiated agreement called a shared parenting plan, unique to their case, to help guide this cooperation and communication. Negotiating and drafting a shared parenting plan suitable for your family and child is critical and difficult, as it affects all areas of raising your child.

Our Columbus family law attorneys negotiate and write these specialized agreements regularly, and are familiar with the pitfalls and issues that arise in the great variety of situations these plans must cover.

In Ohio, a judge or magistrate will consider the best interests of the children when making child custody decisions. This is a detailed and in-depth analysis that requires an understanding of not only Ohio laws and statutes, but the history of how these cases are handled by that judge or magistrate.

Does the court need to appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate the case? Are there drug or alcohol issues affecting one or both parents? Is a step-parent interfering with parenting?

Having a custody attorney who can effectively communicate to the judge, magistrate, or the other parents’ attorney in negotiations is extremely beneficial and will help you secure a suitable parenting plan or arrangement that will suit your children’s specific needs.

Parenting issues involving your children can come back to court until your children are adults, so having an attorney sensitive to the realities of raising a child under the threat of a court case can help prevent repeat trips to court over many years.

Child Custody Lawyers Who Care

At KSR, we know that people who come to us for help with all that’s involved with their children’s custody case are often going through turmoil. These are difficult and sensitive issues that touch every corner of a parents’ life with their child.

Approaching these issues with care, realism, a sensitivity to your unique situations and issues, and an unrelenting drive to help you achieve the best possible outcome for yourself and your family sets our attorneys apart.

Call today at (614) 665-5833 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

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