Ohio Child Custody Resources
Don't go through the child custody process on your own. Even if you can't afford an attorney, you have plenty of places to turn for support.
In-depth guides
Use the following to shepherd you and your family through the custody process.
- Helping children cope with divorce
- Financial planning through divorce
- Ohio guide to Parental Rights and Responsibilities
Court resources
Each Ohio county court has a website where you'll find links to self-help centers, forms and other information that can help you throughout your case.
Many counties also have law libraries and staff attorneys. Staff attorneys do not represent anyone or give legal advice, but they can provide free information about the court process.
For help choosing a parenting time schedule, Ohio supreme court's Planning for Parenting Time guide provides detailed breakdowns of arrangements based on the children's ages and the family's unique needs.
Child support agencies
Child support payments in Ohio are overseen by the Department of Job and Family Services. If you need help opening a support case, enforcing support orders or locating the other parent, contact your local office. Services are usually free and can help you avoid returning to court.
Help finding representation
Low-income litigants may qualify for free or reduced-fee legal representation. This may be provided through the court, social services, your local Modest Means Program or one of the regional legal aid offices below.
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
- Legal Aid Society of Columbus
- Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
- Legal Aid of Western Ohio
- Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
Parents of all income levels can use Ohio Legal Help or the Ohio Bar Association to find an attorney.
Help for victims of domestic violence and child abuse
Ohio supreme court's Domestic Violence Program provides resources to domestic violence victims.
You can also reach the Ohio Domestic Violence Network at 1-800-934-9840 for help making safety plans, finding shelter, etc. Their self-help legal manual for survivors provides information on topics such as how abuse affects family law cases.
The Journey Center for Safety and Healing educates parents on child development and parenting skills to prevent abusive behaviors. Their 24-hour hotline (216-391-HELP) takes anonymous calls from those in need of immediate psychological care, crisis prevention, referrals and information.
Supervised parenting time or exchanges
If your court order mandates supervised parenting time or monitored exchanges, find a trained professional in this directory of supervised visitation providers.
Parenting education and coordination
Some counties require parents to attend a court-approved divorce seminar. Here, parents learn about the effects divorce and separation have on children and how they can protect their children from conflict. For example, Children in Between offers online classes approved in multiple counties.
Another way to maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship is to hire a mediator or parenting coordinator to help you resolve differences.
Our professional sources
For more help, consider reaching out to one of our sources. The people and offices listed below have helped us with the intricacies of parental rights and responsibilities in Ohio, and we hope they can help you, as well.
Anelli Law Firm, LLC
Dianna Anelli, Esq.
Columbus, OH
Deerfield Township Family Counseling
Marissa Jordan, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPPC)
Mason, OH
Ellen S. Mandell, Esq.
Beachwood, OH
John J. Ready & Associates
John J. Ready, Esq.
Westlake, OH
Law Offices of Jason M. Donnell, LLC
Jason M. Donnell, Esq.
Lancaster, OH
Law Offices of Michael A. Sheets
Michael A. Sheets, Esq.
Dayton, OH
Newcomer, Shaffer, Spangler & Breininger
John Shaffer, Esq.
Bryan, OH
Petroff Law Offices, LLC
Ronald R. Petroff, Esq.
Columbus, OH
Sam R. Bradley, Esq.
Sheffield Village, OH
Tipton Law Firm, LLC
Mark Tipton, Esq.
Bryan, OH
Custody X Change app
The process of deciding custody requires serious organization. You may need to create a parenting plan, draft multiple custody schedules, track your time with your child, calculate expenses and beyond.
The Custody X Change app enables you to do all of that in one place.
With a parenting plan template, custody calendars, an expense tracker and more, Custody X Change makes sure you're prepared for whatever arises in your journey to parental rights and responsibilities.
Take advantage of our technology to stay on top of all the moving parts of your case.