Expert legal guidance for families navigating child custody arrangements and child support issues with a focus on protecting children's best interests.
Schedule a ConsultationAt Pirnia Law Office, Mr. Pirnia understands that family law matters touch the most personal aspects of your life. He provides compassionate, skilled legal representation for all aspects of family law, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for you and your children.
Mr. Pirnia provides experienced legal representation to help families navigate the complexities of child custody and child support matters.
Child custody arrangements determine who will have legal responsibility for a child and where the child will live. At Pirnia Law Office, Mr. Pirnia helps parents navigate these complex and emotionally challenging matters.
In Ohio, the courts make custody decisions based on what they believe to be in the "best interests of the child." This standard guides all custody determinations and ensures that the child's wellbeing remains the primary focus throughout the legal process.
In Ohio, there are several different types of custody arrangements:
Ohio courts consider several factors when determining custody arrangements, including:
Parenting time, often referred to as visitation, is the schedule that determines when the child will spend time with each parent. Most counties in Ohio have a standard parenting time schedule, but parents can create a customized plan that better suits their family's needs.
Mr. Pirnia can help you develop a comprehensive parenting plan that addresses:
Custody orders can be modified if there is a change in circumstances that affects the child's best interests. Common reasons for custody modifications include:
Mr. Pirnia can help you petition for a custody modification or defend against an unwanted modification, ensuring that your child's best interests remain the primary focus.
Child support is the financial contribution one parent makes to another for the support of their children. In Ohio, all parents have a legal obligation to support their children financially regardless of their marital status or living arrangements.
Child support is calculated according to a formula written into Ohio state law. This formula combines several factors:
Although there are exceptions, in general, the "non-residential" parent pays child support to the parent with whom the child lives. In shared parenting plans, the amount of support may be reduced according to the amount of time the child spends in each parent's home, or if the parties share the expenses of the child.
Child support is payable until the child reaches the age of 18, or until he or she graduates from high school, whichever is later. If a child is over 18 years of age and still attends high school, support will continue until the child has completed high school, up to age 19, unless otherwise ordered or agreed.
Ohio uses a specific formula to calculate child support payments, which takes into account several factors:
The court uses these factors to determine the appropriate amount of support using the Ohio Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines create a presumption of the appropriate amount of support, but the court can deviate from the guidelines in certain circumstances.
Child support may be modified if circumstances change. The court will review the situation to determine if a modification is warranted.
Mr. Pirnia can help you petition for a modification when your circumstances change, ensuring that support amounts remain appropriate and fair. It's important to file for modification promptly when circumstances change, as courts cannot retroactively modify support that has already accrued.
When child support payments are not made as ordered, there are several enforcement mechanisms available:
Mr. Pirnia can help you navigate the enforcement process if you're not receiving ordered support, or defend against enforcement actions if you're facing legitimate difficulties in making payments.
Family law matters require the guidance of an experienced attorney who understands both the legal aspects and the emotional challenges involved. Mr. Pirnia provides:
Mr. Pirnia understands that family law matters affect the most important aspects of your life. He works diligently to achieve outcomes that are fair and in your children's best interests while supporting you through what can be a challenging process.
Every family law situation is unique. Contact Mr. Pirnia today to discuss your specific circumstances and develop a strategy that protects your child's best interests.
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