Understanding Ohio Child Visitation and Parenting Time
A practical Ohio-focused guide to child visitation, parenting time rules, and how courts protect a child’s best interests.
Ohio Child Visitation and Parenting Time: A Complete Guide
When parents separate or divorce in Ohio, one of the most important questions is how children will divide their time between homes. Ohio law addresses this through parenting time (often called visitation) orders designed to foster a stable, ongoing relationship with both parents while keeping children safe and supported.
This guide explains how Ohio courts approach child visitation, what “parenting time” really means, how schedules are created or changed, and what options exist for grandparents and other relatives.
Parenting Time vs. Custody in Ohio
Ohio law distinguishes between who has decision-making authority over a child and when each parent spends time with the child.
- Parental rights and responsibilities (custody) refer to who makes major decisions about the child’s education, health care, and general welfare, and where the child primarily lives.
- Parenting time (visitation) refers to the schedule describing when a child is with each parent, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and vacations.
The court must allocate parental rights and responsibilities “in a manner consistent with the best interest of the children” and ensure the opportunity for both parents to have frequent and continuing contact with the child, unless that would not be in the child’s best interests.
How Ohio Courts Decide Parenting Time
Ohio statutes require courts to focus on the best interests of the child when ordering parenting time. Judges consider many factors, which typically include:
- The child’s relationship with each parent and any siblings.
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community.
- The mental and physical health of all parties.
- Each parent’s willingness to facilitate the child’s relationship with the other parent.
- Any history of domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, or substance misuse.
- The child’s wishes, if the child is of sufficient age and maturity (in Ohio, courts must be careful not to pressure children for written statements of preference).
Ohio law gives trial courts broad discretion, which means judges can depart from any “standard” or model schedule when the facts of a case show that a different plan better serves a specific child.
What a Typical Ohio Parenting Time Order Covers
Although every order is unique, most Ohio parenting time plans include several key components.
| Component | What It Usually Addresses |
|---|---|
| Regular parenting time | Weekday and weekend schedule, including specific days, times, and pick-up/drop-off details. |
| Holiday schedule | How major holidays, birthdays, and school breaks are shared or alternated. |
| School vacations | Summer and other extended breaks, including longer visits or travel. |
| Communication | Phone calls, video chats, and other contact between the child and the off-duty parent. |
| Transportation | Who is responsible for transporting the child, where exchanges take place, and what happens if someone is late. |
| Restrictions and safety | Any supervision requirements, limitations linked to substance use, or conditions related to domestic violence or safety concerns. |
Ohio courts may also incorporate local “model visitation schedules” into orders, especially when parents cannot agree. These model schedules provide a default but are not mandatory if they conflict with the child’s best interests.
Standard and Customized Schedules
In many Ohio counties, courts maintain a model or “standard” schedule, often used as a starting point when parents disagree. However, judges regularly modify these frameworks to better fit a child’s age, distance between households, school schedule, and any special needs.
Common options include:
- Alternating weekends plus one or more weekday evenings.
- Shared or near-equal time where the child spends roughly half the time with each parent, when feasible and appropriate.
- Gradual increases in time for a very young child or when a parent is rebuilding a relationship.
- Supervised time in cases involving safety concerns, substance use issues, or a history of abuse.
Under both current law and proposed reforms like Ohio Senate Bill 174, courts still must analyze what works for a specific child rather than apply a one-size-fits-all formula.
Limits on Parenting Time for Safety Reasons
While Ohio policy favors continued contact with both parents, that presumption yields to safety and well-being.
Circumstances that may lead a court to restrict or closely regulate parenting time include:
- Documented domestic violence or threats.
- Child abuse, neglect, or serious endangerment.
- Severe or untreated substance use disorder.
- Sex offenses or crimes against children.
Restrictions may take many forms, including supervised visitation, limited overnights, required completion of treatment, or in extreme cases, suspension of parenting time. Some recent legislative proposals also contemplate limiting parental rights for individuals convicted of serious sexual offenses.
Grandparent and Relative Visitation in Ohio
Ohio law allows courts to grant companionship or visitation rights to grandparents and certain relatives in defined situations, if it is in the child’s best interests. Common contexts include:
- When the child’s parents are divorced or legally separated.
- When the child is born to unmarried parents.
- When a parent is deceased.
Grandparents must usually file a motion in court and show that contact is beneficial and does not interfere with the child’s primary relationships. Judges evaluate the same or similar best-interest factors and give weight to the parents’ preferences, consistent with U.S. Supreme Court guidance on parental rights.
Modifying an Existing Parenting Time Order
Life changes: jobs shift, kids age, and schedules that once worked may no longer be realistic. Ohio law allows parents to seek a modification of parenting time when circumstances have materially changed.
Examples of changes that might justify a revised schedule include:
- A parent’s relocation or major change in work hours.
- A child’s changing needs, such as new school demands or activities.
- Persistent interference with the schedule by either parent.
- Improved stability or rehabilitation by a parent previously subject to restrictions.
Importantly, Ohio law may permit changes to parenting time without fully reopening the underlying custody allocation, which can make adjustments more efficient and less disruptive. A parent seeking modification generally must:
- File a motion with the court that issued the original order.
- Provide evidence of the change in circumstances.
- Demonstrate that the proposed adjustment is in the child’s best interests.
Enforcing Parenting Time Orders
When one parent refuses to follow an established schedule or consistently undermines the order, the other parent can ask the court for enforcement. Ohio rules and proposed reforms describe procedures for responding to interference with parenting time or visitation.
Courts have several tools, which may include:
- Make-up parenting time for missed visits.
- Clarifying or adjusting the schedule to remove ambiguities.
- Requiring mediation or parenting education.
- Issuing contempt findings, which can lead to fines, orders to pay attorney’s fees, or in severe cases, jail time.
Parents who believe the existing order is unsafe—due to abuse, neglect, or serious risk—can request emergency or temporary relief, but they should be prepared to provide credible evidence supporting their concerns.
Emerging Reforms: Ohio Senate Bill 174 and Related Proposals
In recent years, Ohio policymakers have considered significant updates to child custody and parenting time law. One key proposal is Ohio Senate Bill 174, introduced in 2025, which aims to modernize how courts analyze parenting responsibilities.
Among other provisions, SB 174 would:
- Require parents to file a joint or separate parenting plan before hearings on parenting responsibilities.
- Define core elements that parenting plans must cover, such as schedules, communication rules, transportation, and dispute-resolution methods.
- Reframe “parenting time” as the time a parent is responsible for the child under a plan, reducing emphasis on labels like “sole custody” or “shared parenting.”
- Promote substantial, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate parenting time for both parents when consistent with the child’s best interests.
The bill also reflects a broader policy shift encouraging co-parenting and shared responsibility, while preserving protections for victims of domestic violence and children’s safety. Parallel efforts, such as House Bill 256, seek to solidify the principle that both mothers and fathers should have a meaningful opportunity to participate in their children’s lives, subject to safety limits.
Practical Tips for Parents Navigating Visitation in Ohio
Whether you are negotiating an agreement or appearing in court, a few practical strategies can help you protect your child’s welfare and present your case effectively:
- Document important information. Keep organized records of communication, missed visits, and any safety incidents.
- Focus on the child, not the conflict. Courts look closely at each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
- Be open to flexible solutions. Creative schedules often work better for modern work patterns and children’s activities.
- Consider mediation or parenting coordination. Many Ohio courts encourage less-adversarial processes to resolve visitation disputes.
- Seek tailored legal advice. Local court rules and practices vary, and an Ohio family law attorney can explain how statewide statutes apply in your county.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does Ohio prefer one parent over the other for visitation?
No. Ohio’s statutes and public policy focus on the best interests of the child rather than automatically favoring mothers or fathers. Courts aim to ensure frequent and continuing contact with both parents unless that would be harmful.
Q: Can a child choose which parent to live with or visit?
A child’s preferences can be considered, especially for older and more mature children, but there is no specific age at which a child makes the decision. The judge must weigh the child’s wishes along with all other best-interest factors and cannot rely solely on the child’s preference.
Q: What happens if a parent repeatedly ignores the parenting time order?
The other parent can file a motion for enforcement or contempt. The court may order make-up time, impose sanctions, require counseling or mediation, or, in serious cases, change the parenting schedule or issue penalties for contempt.
Q: Do I need to change custody to adjust the schedule?
Not always. Ohio law allows parents in many situations to modify the parenting time schedule without reopening the entire custody order, which may make adjustments more limited in scope and easier to obtain.
Q: Can grandparents automatically get visitation rights in Ohio?
No. Grandparents do not receive automatic visitation rights. They must file in court where the law allows and show that visitation is in the child’s best interests. Courts consider the parents’ views, the existing relationships, and the child’s needs when deciding these requests.
References
- Chapter 3109: Children — Ohio Revised Code. 2011-06-09. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3109
- Ohio Child Custody, Support and Visitation Law: Ohio Laws — Franklin County Law Library. 2025-01-01 (approx. updated). https://fclawlib.libguides.com/childcustody/laws
- Ohio Senate Bill 174 and the Future of Ohio Custody Law: Part 1 — KJK / JD Supra. 2025-04-23. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ohio-senate-bill-174-and-the-future-of-1250624/
- Ohio Senate Bill 174 and the Future of Ohio Custody Law: Part 2 (SB 174) — KJK. 2025-09-18. https://kjk.com/2025/09/18/ohio-senate-bill-174-and-the-future-of-ohio-custody-law-part-2-sb-174/
- 27: Model Visitation Schedule — Domestic Relations Division, Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio. 2020-01-01 (approx. local rule). https://drj.fccourts.org/Administration/Local-Rules/Domestic-Court-Rules/27-Model-visitation-schedule
- Family Law Reform in Ohio — Ohio State Bar Association. 2024-06-01 (approx.). https://www.ohiobar.org/member-tools-benefits/practice-resources/practice-library-search/practice-library/legislation/family-law-reform-in-ohio/
- Modifying Parenting Time Schedules in Ohio Without Reopening Custody Cases — Ohio Family Law Blog. 2025-06-01 (approx.). https://www.ohio-family-law.com/2025/06/modifying-parenting-time-schedules-in-ohio-without-reopening-custody-cases/
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