Arriving at an agreement on a child custody and shared parenting plan is frequently the most contentious and emotionally trying aspect of a divorce proceeding. That's only natural; at the law offices of Randal Lowry we all want what's best for our children and hold very strongly to individual, cultural or religious values that define for us what is in our children's best interests.
We are experienced at helping clients understand their values and use them to develop parenting plans that work for their particular family's needs. Akron child custody attorney Randal Lowry is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers with more than 30 years of experience helping families make child custody and visitation choices that support the healthy development of their children.
Parents may agree upon, or the court may order, a custody (allocation of parental rights) and visitation (parenting time) plan or a shared parenting plan. In certain circumstances, fathers, as well as mothers, can be designated the primary residential parent and legal custodian of a minor child. Custody involves where the child will live and which parent will have decision-making authority.
In a shared parenting plan, both parents will have decision-making authority and the parents will need to be able to work together. In a custody and visitation plan, the custodial parent has primary decision-making authority
For clients who cannot arrive at an agreement on a custody and visitation (parenting) plan, the court will make the decision for you. Our role in such cases is to work with psychologists, family court services personnel, social workers, guardians ad litem, and pertinent witnesses to help prove our client's fitness for custody to document the wishes and best interests of the children, and the ability of our client to provide the best home environment.
Child Support
Child support is based upon state guidelines which include:
- Income of both parties
- The parties' earning abilities
- Cost of work related day care
- Marginal cost of hospitalization for the children
The child support order can be modified based upon the changing economic circumstances of the parties or the child. We provide legal assistance to parents seeking modification of child support orders in Ohio divorce court.
Modifications in Child Custody and Visitation
Situations change; a custody agreement or a shared parenting plan agreed upon at the time of a divorce may no longer be in the best interests of the child one year, five years or ten years after the fact. Custody decisions can be modified as the child grows; the older the child is, the more say the child can have in the child custody arrangement. Custody may also be adjusted by the parents to take into account relocation of a parent or inability of a parent to care for a child. Akron child custody Attorney Randal Lowry will help you bring your case back to court for a modification.
We handle divorce, child custody and parenting time, division of marital property and other family law matters. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with child custody Attorney Randal Lowry.
