Shared Parenting - Not just about the time split - Basic factors to be considered.

Often parents come to me filled with questions about shared parenting and, frequently, I find that their idea of shared parenting is to have a 50/50 split of time with the children. While this is the common idea of what shared parenting is, it is not the only way to have shared parenting.

Shared parenting (in Ohio) is basically an agreement between the parents to write their own rules for how parenting time (often referred to as visitation) will be handled, but it can include so much more, including agreements on how to deal with the most fundamental decisions that go into raising a child. There is an Ohio statute that outlines the factors to be considered in developing a shared parenting plan. It is found in R.C. 3109.04. Click here for a link to that statute: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3109.04 It is a fairly lengthy statute, and can be difficult to walk through, so I am going to highlight the relevant portions here.

Shared parenting is based on a plan that the parents propose. It can be a mutually agreed plan, or each party can propose a plan. Ultimately, the Court must approve the plan as being the the best interests of the child or children. The Court can also determine that shared parenting is not appropriate. The best part of shared parenting is that the parents get to set the rules for their children and not the Court. Usually, the parents are in the best position to know what is best for their children.

The best interests of the children is the standard for any allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and these are all spelled out in the same statute. As you review these, scroll down and you will find the additional factors that are considered in shared parenting plans. If you feel that shared parenting is appropriate for your particular situation, there are many ways to approach this. If both parents can work together, they can formulate a plan, considering matters such as the child's schooling, religious upbringing and medical issues, and then have this reviewed by an attorney to put in proper format for the Court. If you cannot agree, you can still have your attorney propose a shared parenting plan, which can be adopted or modified by the Court, if appropriate. Be sure to review when shared parenting may not be appropriate and keep in mind that the Court is charged with the responsibility of determining what is in the child's best interests, regardless of what the agreement of the parties is. Also keep in mind that each separate Court may have its own rules or its own procedure when it comes to what is acceptable or not in a shared parenting plan. Now you know that shared parenting is much more than just a 50/50 split of time, and may not even include a 50/50 split of time. It is a plan for trying to meet the best interests of the child as a team, and when it works out, it can be a wonderful thing.

(F)(1) In determining the best interest of a child pursuant to
this section, whether on an original decree allocating parental rights and
responsibilities for the care of children or a modification of a decree
allocating those rights and responsibilities, the court shall consider all
relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

(a) The wishes of the child's parents regarding the child's care;

(b) If the court has interviewed the child in chambers pursuant to
division (B) of this section regarding the child's wishes and concerns as to the
allocation of parental rights and responsibilities concerning the child, the
wishes and concerns of the child, as expressed to the court;

(c) The child's interaction and interrelationship with the child's
parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's
best interest;

(d) The child's adjustment to the child's home, school, and community;

(e) The mental and physical health of all persons involved in the situation;

(f) The parent more likely to honor and facilitate court-approved parenting time rights or visitation and companionship rights;

(g) Whether either parent has failed to make all child support payments,
including all arrearages, that are required of that parent pursuant to a child
support order under which that parent is an obligor;

(h) Whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent
previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense
involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected
child; whether either parent, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an
abused child or a neglected child, previously has been determined to be the
perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that is the basis of an
adjudication; whether either parent or any member of the household of either
parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of
section 2919.25 of the Revised Code or a sexually oriented offense involving a
victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the
family or household that is the subject of the current proceeding; whether
either parent or any member of the household of either parent previously has
been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense involving a victim who at the
time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household
that is the subject of the current proceeding and caused physical harm to the
victim in the commission of the offense; and whether there is reason to believe
that either parent has acted in a manner resulting in a child being an abused
child or a neglected child;

(i) Whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree has continuously and willfully denied the other parent's right to parenting time in accordance with an order of the court;

(j) Whether either parent has established a residence, or is planning to establish a
residence, ouside this state.

(2) In determining whether shared parenting is in the best interest of the children, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the factors
enumerated in division (F)(1) of this section, the factors enumerated in section
3119.23 of the Revised Code, and all of the following factors:

(a) The ability of the parents to cooperate and make decisions jointly,
with respect to the children;
(b) The ability of each parent to encourage the sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other parent;
(c) Any history of, or potential for, child abuse, spouse abuse, other domestic violence, or parental kidnapping by either parent;
(d) The geographic proximity of the parents to each other, as the proximity relates to the practical considerations of shared parenting;
(e) The recommendation of the guardian ad litem of the child, if the child has a
guardian ad litem.

(3) When allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children, the court shall not give preference to a parent because of that parent's financial status or condition.