When couples in Ohio choose to end their marriage through dissolution rather than divorce, one of the most important steps—especially when children are involved—is building a strong parenting schedule. A well-thought-out plan can reduce confusion, minimize conflict, and provide a stable, supportive environment for the children. At Garretson & Holcomb, LLC, we help families in West Chester Township and across Butler County create shared parenting agreements that meet both legal requirements and the needs of everyone involved.
Why a Parenting Schedule Matters in Ohio Dissolution
In Ohio, any dissolution involving minor children must include a detailed parenting plan. The goal is to outline how you and your co-parent will share time, responsibilities, and decision-making authority for your children. A parenting plan becomes part of your separation agreement and must be approved by the court before your dissolution is finalized.
This isn’t just a formality. A clear parenting schedule helps eliminate gray areas that can lead to disputes later. It also shows the court that both parents are prioritizing their children’s well-being.
What Makes a Parenting Schedule “Fair”?
Fair doesn’t necessarily mean equal. It means workable, reasonable, and focused on the best interests of the children.
Balanced time between parents: A fair schedule should give both parents meaningful time with the children, whether it’s a 50/50 split or the children will be primarily residing with a parent. Time-sharing might look different depending on work schedules, distance between homes, or the child’s needs.
Age-appropriate routines: A toddler may need shorter, more frequent visits, while a teenager may benefit from fewer transitions and longer blocks of time with each parent. As children grow, parenting schedules often need to evolve.
Flexibility for school, holidays, and activities: A rigid plan that doesn’t consider real-life commitments like extracurriculars, vacations, or school breaks can lead to frustration. It’s important to build in enough flexibility to keep the schedule practical while still respecting the rights of both parents.
Steps to Creating a Strong Parenting Plan
It takes cooperation, communication, and a realistic mindset to build a plan that works long-term. Here are key considerations:
Start with the child’s best interests. Ohio courts prioritize the child’s well-being above all. That means looking at the child’s emotional, physical, and educational needs, the parents’ ability to care for them, and the child’s relationship with each parent.
Be honest about work and lifestyle limitations. It’s easy to agree to a plan on paper that doesn’t work in practice. If you travel for work, have inconsistent hours, or live far away, those realities need to be part of the conversation. The goal is a schedule you can stick to.
Plan for communication. You don’t have to be best friends with your ex, but you do need to communicate effectively about your child. Some parenting plans include guidelines for check-ins, updates, and preferred methods of communication (text, email, co-parenting apps, etc.).
Conflict resolution tools. Even with the best intentions, disagreements will happen. Your parenting plan can include a plan for how to resolve conflicts—whether that means mediation, involving a parenting coordinator, or revisiting the agreement after a cooling-off period.
What Should the Separation Agreement Include?
Your separation agreement must clearly outline the terms of the parenting schedule so that both parents—and the court—know what to expect. Some key elements include:
Days and times for parenting time: Spell out the regular weekly schedule, such as “Parent A will have the child from Monday after school to Thursday morning” and “Parent B will have the child from Thursday afternoon through Sunday evening.”
Holiday and vacation schedules: These often alternate each year. For example, one parent may have Thanksgiving in odd-numbered years, and the other in even-numbered years. The Court always has a default schedule if you cannot agree, however, you and your spouse may want to create your own schedule for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, school breaks, and summer vacation.
Transportation responsibilities: Clarify who will pick up and drop off the child, where transitions will happen, and what happens if one parent is late or unavailable.
Contingency planning: Life happens. Build in a plan for how to handle unexpected changes—illness, last-minute work trips, or emergencies. Specify how much notice is required to change the schedule and how make-up time will be handled.
FAQ: Parenting Plans in Ohio Dissolution
Do parenting plans need to be court-approved in dissolution?
Yes. In Ohio, the court must approve your shared parenting agreement or custody schedule before it becomes legally binding. This ensures the plan serves the best interests of the child.
Can a parenting plan be changed after it’s signed?
Absolutely. As children grow and circumstances change, your parenting plan can be modified—either by mutual agreement or by petitioning the court. However, you’ll need to show a significant change in circumstances and that the new plan is still in the child’s best interests.
What if parents can’t agree on a schedule?
If you and your co-parent can’t come to terms, dissolution may not be the right option. Dissolution requires agreement on all terms, including the parenting plan. If you reach an impasse, you may need to file for divorce instead, where a judge can intervene and decide custody.
The Value of Legal Guidance
Working with an experienced attorney can take the guesswork and stress out of creating a fair parenting schedule. At Garretson & Holcomb, LLC, we’ve helped countless families in West Chester Township and across Butler County reach peaceful resolutions that prioritize their children.
We can help you:
- Draft a parenting plan that meets Ohio’s legal standards
- Negotiate schedule details with your co-parent
- Prepare your full separation agreement for court review
- Modify an existing parenting plan if your needs change later
Even when things are amicable, it’s easy to overlook details that could cause future conflict. We make sure your agreement is thorough, fair, and built to last.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Shared parenting after dissolution isn’t always easy—but it’s possible when both parents are committed to working together. A clear parenting plan gives you a strong foundation for co-parenting and helps your child adjust to the new normal with security and support.
If you’re considering a dissolution and need help building a solid parenting schedule, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to Garretson & Holcomb, LLC at (513) 863-6600 to schedule a consultation and start building a plan that works for your family.
