Parental Rights Lawyer in Toledo

Protecting Your Role In Your Child’s Life

When you are worried about losing time with your child or having no say in important decisions, it can feel like everything is at risk. Ohio custody and parenting laws are not always clear, especially when emotions are running high. You do not have to sort through this on your own.

At Smith & Smith Law Office, LLC, we help parents understand and protect their rights in Lucas County courts and the Toledo area. Our attorneys have been serving families here since 1999, and our work focuses on family law issues such as custody, parenting time, and paternity. We take the time to learn what matters most to you and your children, then we build a plan around those goals.

Call us at (419) 842-4629 to schedule a consultation with our Toledo parental rights lawyer today.

How We Help Protect Your Rights

Parents reach out to us when they feel their role in their child’s life is changing, or could change, in ways they did not choose. Some are going through a divorce. Others never married the other parent and now face questions about custody or parenting time. Some already have a court order that is no longer being followed or no longer fits their child’s needs.

Our attorneys work with mothers and fathers on a wide range of parents’ rights issues. These may include legal custody, parenting time schedules, decision-making authority for education and medical care, and paternity matters. When you sit down with us, we discuss your current situation and your long-term concerns, and we explain what Ohio law typically allows in cases like yours.

Understanding Parents’ Rights In Ohio

Many parents are unsure what “rights” actually means in a custody or parenting case. In Ohio, courts generally look at several different pieces. Legal custody often involves the right to make major decisions for a child, such as where they go to school or what medical care they receive. Parenting time refers to when the child spends time with each parent under a schedule set by court order or agreement.

Courts are required to focus on the best interests of the child. In practice, this means judges may consider a range of factors, such as the child’s relationships with each parent, how well each parent has met the child’s needs so far, the child’s adjustment to home and school, and the willingness of each parent to encourage a strong relationship with the other parent. No single factor controls every case, and the specific facts of your situation play a large role.

For unmarried parents, questions about rights often begin with paternity. Signing a birth certificate alone may not fully establish legal rights. Parents typically need to address paternity through an administrative process or court action before issues such as custody and parenting time can be permanently resolved. 

What To Do If You Feel Your Rights Are At Risk

Consider taking these steps if you are worried about your parental rights:

• Keep copies of any court orders, parenting plans, or written agreements that describe your current arrangement.
• Document important events in writing, including missed parenting time, schedule changes, or concerning communication.
• Save text messages, emails, and social media messages that relate to your child or to parenting time.
• Try to communicate in a calm, child-focused way, and avoid making threats or statements that could be misunderstood later.
• Follow existing court orders as closely as you can, unless following them would place the child at risk of harm.
• Reach out promptly to an attorney who handles parents’ rights issues so you can understand your options before you make major decisions.

Why Parents Choose Smith & Smith Law Office

When you are choosing an attorney to help with something as personal as your relationship with your child, you want to know who will be standing beside you. At Smith & Smith Law Office, LLC, we have been serving families in Lucas County and the Toledo area since 1999. Over those years, we have worked with many parents in the Domestic Relations and Juvenile courts and have seen how different judges handle a wide range of family situations.

Our practice is focused on family law, including divorce, child custody, parenting time, and paternity matters. This focus means that our daily work centers on the same types of questions you are now facing. We pay attention to how Ohio law is applied in real cases and how local procedures affect the path of a case through the courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rights do I have as an unmarried parent in Ohio?

Unmarried parents often need to address paternity before long-term custody and parenting time can be set. Once paternity is legally established, mothers and fathers can typically ask the court to decide parental rights, similar to married parents. Our team can explain which steps apply to your situation.

Can you help if the other parent is ignoring our court order?

If the other parent is not following a custody or parenting time order, we can review the order with you and discuss possible enforcement or modification options. The right approach depends on the specific facts, but getting advice early often helps prevent problems from becoming more serious.

What will my first meeting with your firm look like?

During an initial meeting, we listen to your concerns, review any court papers or agreements you bring, and ask questions to understand your family’s situation. We then outline possible paths forward and discuss how our representation and payment options would work if you choose to move ahead.

Do you offer payment options for parents on a budget?

Yes. We offer affordable financing options to help make legal services more accessible for families. During your first conversation with us, we can explain our fee structure, available payment plans, and how these can be arranged based on the needs of your family and your case.

If you are concerned about your parental rights, the first step is to talk with someone who understands both Ohio family law and the realities of parenting in this area. At Smith & Smith Law Office, LLC, we work to give you clear information, a realistic plan, and support throughout the process.

Call us at (419) 842-4629 to speak with our Toledo parental rights attorney today.