Juvenile Court & Private Custody Attorney in Cleveland

Helping Independence Parents Resolve Custody Issues

Beginning on March 22, 2019, Ohio juvenile courts no longer have jurisdiction over a custody issue if:

• The parents are married to one another
• The parents were married to one another but are now divorced and have a custody agreement
• The parents have a pending divorce, dissolution, separation, or annulment case

However, any other arrangement can still be handled by an Ohio juvenile court. At The Law Offices of LeeDaun C. Williams LLC, our Cleveland juvenile court and private custody lawyer can help you ensure any legal decision concerning custody is in your child’s best interests.

Call our office at (216) 350-8511 or contact us online for a consultation with our juvenile court private custody attorney in Cleveland today.

Custody & Visitation Actions of the Juvenile Court

In Ohio, unmarried parents can resolve custody issues in the juvenile court. This court system utilizes the Ohio child’s best interests standard when determining custody.

Ohio Child's Best Interest Standard Incorporates 10 factors:

1. The child’s parents wishes
2. The court’s wishes and concerns
3. The child’s relationship with each parent and member of their households
4. How the child interacts with each parent’s community
5. The mental and physical health of all parties involved
6. The parent more likely to facilitate the parenting rights of the other
7. If either parent has upheld support payments
8. If any member of each parent’s household has been convicted of a crime
9. If either parent has willfully denied the other visitation time with the child
10. If either parent intents to establish a life outside of Ohio

Does Ohio Favor Mothers Over Fathers?

Both parents have an equal chance of obtaining custody of a child at the beginning of this process. The state uses the above factors as a way to determine how custody and visitation should be divided between the parents. The legal proceedings that occur between unmarried parents is the same for married parents. Custody is determined by the factors mentioned above.

The Process of creating a Parenting Plan

• Parents will either be granted joint or sole custody of the child.
• Once this has been determined, the parents must create a parenting plan that reflects the custody arrangement.
• If the parents have a hard time working together to create a parenting plan, our Cleveland juvenile court and private custody attorney can help them reach a peaceful conclusion.
• If our intervention is not effective, parents will need to have a judge create the parenting plan.

Here to Help You Establish a Sound Custody Arrangement

The Law Offices of LeeDaun C. Williams LLC will work with you and the other parent of your child to determine the best custody and parenting plan for your situation.

Complete our online contact form or call us directly at (216) 350-8511 to schedule your complimentary consultation with our Cleveland juvenile court private custody lawyer today.