Ohio Shared Parenting Plan (Allocation of Parental Rights — Joint)

OHIO SHARED PARENTING PLAN

Pursuant to ORC § 3109.04(D)(1) and (G)

OHIO STATUTORY FRAMEWORK — SHARED PARENTING

Ohio does not use the term "joint custody." Instead, Ohio law uses the concept of Shared Parenting under ORC § 3109.04(D) and (J). A Shared Parenting Plan is a plan agreed upon by both parents (or filed by one or both parents) that allocates the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children between both parents.

Key Features of Ohio Shared Parenting:

• Either or both parents may file a Shared Parenting Plan (ORC § 3109.04(D)(1)(a))
• The plan must be filed at least 30 days before trial or hearing, or with the petition for dissolution (ORC § 3109.04(D)(1)(a)(i)-(ii))
• Even under shared parenting, one parent must be designated the Residential Parent for School Purposes (ORC § 3109.04(K))
• The Court applies the best interest factors of ORC § 3109.04(F)(1) to evaluate the plan
• Shared parenting does not automatically mean equal parenting time
• For unmarried parents, the mother is the sole residential parent until a court order provides otherwise (ORC § 3109.042)

Required Plan Contents (ORC § 3109.04(G)): The plan must include provisions for the child's physical living arrangements, child support obligations, medical and dental care, school placement, and parenting time.

1. COURT AND CASE INFORMATION

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
[________________________________] COUNTY, OHIO

☐ Domestic Relations Division
☐ Juvenile Division (unmarried parents — ORC § 3109.042 / ORC § 2151.23)

Case No.: [________________________________]

Judge / Magistrate: [________________________________]

1.1 Parties

Parent A:
Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Employer: [________________________________]

Parent B:
Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Employer: [________________________________]

1.2 Minor Child(ren)

(Each individually a "Child" and collectively the "Children.")

1.3 Context of This Plan

This Shared Parenting Plan ("Plan") is filed in connection with:

☐ Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
☐ Divorce action (ORC § 3105.01 et seq.)
☐ Legal Separation
☐ Action to allocate parental rights for unmarried parents (ORC § 3109.042 / ORC § 2151.23)
☐ Modification of prior order under ORC § 3109.04(E)(2)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

1.4 Filing of This Plan

☐ This Plan is filed jointly by both parents
☐ This Plan is filed by Parent A; Parent B has filed a separate plan
☐ This Plan is filed by Parent B; Parent A has filed a separate plan
☐ This Plan is filed by one parent; the other parent has not filed a plan

Filing deadline compliance: This Plan is filed:
☐ With the Petition for Dissolution (ORC § 3109.04(D)(1)(a)(i))
☐ At least 30 days prior to trial or hearing (ORC § 3109.04(D)(1)(a)(ii))

1.5 Effective Date

This Plan shall become effective on [__/__/____], or upon the date of the Court's order approving and incorporating this Plan, whichever is later.

2. DESIGNATION OF RESIDENTIAL PARENT FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES (ORC § 3109.04(K))

Even under a Shared Parenting Decree, Ohio law requires designation of one parent as the Residential Parent for School Purposes. This designation determines the school district for enrollment and is used for administrative, mailing, and legal purposes. It does not diminish the other parent's rights under this Plan.

[________________________________] (Parent ☐ A / ☐ B) is designated as the Residential Parent for School Purposes.

School Enrollment Address: [________________________________]
School District: [________________________________]
School Name: [________________________________]

3. ALLOCATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Shared Legal Decision-Making

Both parents shall share the right and responsibility to make the following major decisions regarding the Children. Major decisions require good-faith consultation and mutual agreement:

(a) Education: School enrollment and withdrawal, private vs. public school, special education evaluations and services (IEP/504 plans), tutoring programs, and home schooling;

(b) Non-Emergency Medical and Dental Care: Selection of physicians, dentists, and specialists; elective procedures; vaccinations; orthodontic treatment; and chronic condition medications;

(c) Mental Health Treatment: Initiation of counseling, therapy, psychiatric evaluation, or psychotropic medication;

(d) Religious Upbringing: Religious instruction, religious school enrollment, ceremonies, and regular observance;

(e) Extracurricular Activities: Enrollment in activities exceeding $[____] per month or requiring significant time affecting the other parent's parenting time;

(f) Travel: Out-of-state travel exceeding [____] consecutive days; all international travel;

(g) Legal Matters: Obtaining a driver's license, legal actions taken on behalf of a Child;

(h) Relocation: Any change of residence (see Section 8).

3.2 Decision-Making Protocol

(a) The parent proposing a major decision shall notify the other parent in writing with sufficient information for informed discussion.

(b) The other parent shall respond within [____] calendar days. Failure to respond after reasonable efforts to communicate constitutes consent, except for relocation, school changes, and international travel.

(c) Both parents shall discuss the matter in good faith, prioritizing the Children's best interests.

(d) Impasse Resolution:
☐ The parents shall submit the dispute to mediation before seeking court intervention.
☐ Tiebreaking authority for the following categories:
Education: Parent [____]
Medical: Parent [____]
Mental Health: Parent [____]
Extracurricular: Parent [____]

3.3 Routine Daily Decisions

The parent exercising parenting time shall make routine day-to-day decisions regarding the Children's care, including meals, bedtime, homework, hygiene, and minor social activities, without consultation.

3.4 Emergency Decisions

The parent with physical care at the time of an emergency may make any decision necessary to protect the Children's health or safety, including authorizing emergency medical treatment. That parent shall notify the other parent as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than 24 hours after the emergency.

4. PARENTING TIME SCHEDULE

4.1 Guiding Principle

Consistent with ORC § 3109.04(D) and the Ohio Supreme Court's publication Planning for Parenting Time: Ohio's Guide for Parents Living Apart, the following schedule is designed to ensure the Children have frequent and continuing contact with both parents.

4.2 Regular School-Year Schedule

Select one:

☐ Option A: Alternating Weeks (approximately 50/50)
Parent A: Seven (7) consecutive days beginning [________________________________] at [____] AM/PM
Parent B: The following seven (7) consecutive days
Exchanges occur at: ☐ School ☐ [________________________________]

☐ Option B: 2-2-3 Rotating Schedule (approximately 50/50)
Week 1: Monday-Tuesday with Parent A; Wednesday-Thursday with Parent B; Friday-Sunday with Parent A
Week 2: Monday-Tuesday with Parent B; Wednesday-Thursday with Parent A; Friday-Sunday with Parent B
Exchanges at: ☐ School drop-off ☐ [____] AM/PM at [________________________________]

☐ Option C: 5-2-2-5 Schedule (approximately 50/50)
Monday-Tuesday: Always with Parent A
Wednesday-Thursday: Always with Parent B
Friday-Sunday: Alternating (Parent A on odd weeks; Parent B on even weeks)

☐ Option D: Alternating Weekends Plus Midweek (approximately 60/40)
Residential Parent for School Purposes ([________________________________]):
Weekdays and alternate weekends
Other Parent ([________________________________]):
Alternating weekends: Friday at [____] PM to Sunday at [____] PM
One midweek visit: [________________________________] from [____] PM to [____] PM
☐ With overnight ☐ Evening visit only

☐ Option E: Custom Schedule
Parent A's parenting time: [________________________________]
Parent B's parenting time: [________________________________]

4.3 Summer Schedule

☐ Regular schedule continues through summer

☐ Modified summer schedule:
Each parent shall have [____] weeks of uninterrupted vacation time during summer.
Written notice of vacation dates shall be provided by [________________________________] (date) each year.
If requested dates conflict, Parent A has priority in ☐ even / ☐ odd years.

☐ Custom summer schedule:
[________________________________]

4.4 Holiday and School Break Schedule

Holidays supersede the regular parenting time schedule.

4.5 Special Days and Cultural Observances

☐ Additional cultural, religious, or family observances:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

5. TRANSPORTATION AND EXCHANGE

5.1 Exchange Location

☐ School — Delivering parent drops off; receiving parent picks up
☐ Curbside at the receiving parent's residence
☐ Neutral public location: [________________________________]
☐ Supervised exchange location: [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

5.2 Transportation Responsibilities

☐ The receiving parent is responsible for pick-up
☐ The delivering parent is responsible for delivery
☐ Transportation shared equally
☐ Other: [________________________________]

5.3 Exchange Protocol

(a) The Children shall be ready at the designated time with clothing, homework, medications, and personal items.
(b) Exchanges shall occur within a [____]-minute window of the scheduled time.
(c) If a parent will be more than [____] minutes late, that parent shall notify the other as soon as possible.
(d) Neither parent shall use exchanges to discuss disputed matters.

5.4 Travel Costs (If Parents Reside Far Apart)

If parents reside more than [____] miles apart:
☐ Transportation costs shared equally
☐ Costs allocated [____]% to Parent A / [____]% to Parent B
☐ Other: [________________________________]

6. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

☐ Included — If either parent is unable to personally care for the Children for more than [____] consecutive hours during that parent's scheduled time, that parent shall first offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the Children before arranging third-party childcare.

Exclusions:
☐ Care by grandparents
☐ Care by a stepparent residing in the household
☐ Regular school or daycare
☐ Scheduled activities (sports, lessons, camps)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

☐ Not Included

7. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SHARING

7.1 Communication Between Parents

Parents shall communicate regarding the Children through:
☐ OurFamilyWizard ☐ TalkingParents ☐ Email ☐ Text message ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Communication shall be respectful, child-focused, and free from profanity, threats, or disparaging remarks.

Response times: [____] hours for routine matters; [____] hours for urgent matters.

7.2 Parent-Child Communication

Each parent shall facilitate reasonable phone and/or video communication between the Children and the other parent during that parent's parenting time:
☐ Daily at approximately [____] AM/PM for up to [____] minutes
☐ As mutually agreed, at reasonable times
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Neither parent shall monitor, record, or interfere with the Children's communication with the other parent.

7.3 Access to Records

Both parents shall have full and equal access to all records concerning the Children, including:
(a) School records, report cards, IEP/504 documents, and teacher communications;
(b) Medical, dental, and vision records;
(c) Mental health and counseling records;
(d) Extracurricular activity schedules.

Both parents shall be listed as parents and emergency contacts on all school, medical, and childcare records.

7.4 Non-Disparagement and Shielding from Conflict

(a) Neither parent shall make negative or disparaging remarks about the other parent or the other parent's household in the Children's presence or hearing.
(b) Neither parent shall discuss court proceedings, financial disputes, or adult matters with the Children.
(c) Neither parent shall question the Children about the other parent's personal life.
(d) Neither parent shall use the Children as messengers.

8. RELOCATION (ORC § 3109.051(G))

8.1 Notice Requirement

Pursuant to ORC § 3109.051(G), if either parent intends to move to a residence other than the residence specified in this Plan, that parent shall file a Notice of Intent to Relocate with the Court that issued this order. The Court shall send a copy to the other parent (subject to domestic violence exceptions in ORC § 3109.051(G)(2)-(4)).

8.2 Content of Notice

The relocating parent shall provide:
(a) The intended new address;
(b) The reason for the move;
(c) A proposed revised parenting time schedule;
(d) The proposed effective date.

8.3 Impact on Shared Parenting

Upon receipt of the notice, the Court, on its own motion or on the motion of the non-relocating parent, may schedule a hearing to determine whether it is in the best interest of the Children to revise the parenting time schedule or to modify or terminate the Shared Parenting Plan under ORC § 3109.04(E)(2).

8.4 Geographic Restriction

☐ No geographic restriction. Relocation is governed by the statutory notice requirements above.
☐ Neither parent shall relocate the Children's primary residence outside of [________________________________] without the other parent's written consent or a court order.

9. CHILD-REARING PROVISIONS

9.1 Consistency Across Households

Parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistency in:
(a) Bedtime and wake-up routines;
(b) Homework expectations;
(c) Screen time limits;
(d) Discipline approaches (neither parent shall use corporal punishment);
(e) Dietary restrictions related to health or allergies.

9.2 Introduction of New Partners

If either parent develops a new romantic relationship:
(a) The new partner shall not be introduced to the Children until the relationship has been stable for at least [____] months;
(b) ☐ Neither parent shall allow a new romantic partner to reside overnight while the Children are present until [________________________________];
(c) The Children shall not be asked to refer to a new partner by a parental title.

9.3 Substance Use Restrictions

(a) Neither parent shall use controlled substances (except as lawfully prescribed) during parenting time or within [____] hours before parenting time.
(b) Neither parent shall consume alcohol to the point of impairment during parenting time.

9.4 Firearms Safety

All firearms in either parent's home shall be stored unloaded in a locked container with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the Children.

9.5 Attendance at Children's Events

Both parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the Children's school events, performances, sporting events, and activities. Parents shall conduct themselves respectfully toward each other at all events.

10. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SCREENING (ORC § 3109.04(F)(1)(h); ORC § 3113.31)

☐ No History of Domestic Violence — Neither parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to domestic violence under ORC § 2919.25 or abuse or neglect of a child.

☐ Prior Finding(s) Exist — [________________________________] has a domestic violence history. This has been considered in crafting this Plan, including: [________________________________]

☐ Active Civil Protection Order — Case No. [________________________________]. This Plan is consistent with the CPO.

11. CHILD'S WISHES (ORC § 3109.04(B)(1))

☐ Not Applicable — No Child has expressed a preference, or the Court has not interviewed any Child.

☐ Applicable — [________________________________] (Child's name), age [____], has been interviewed by the Court in chambers or has expressed wishes regarding the allocation of parental rights. The Court has considered the Child's wishes along with all other best interest factors under ORC § 3109.04(F)(1)(b).

Note: Ohio law does not set a specific age at which a child's preference is determinative, but courts commonly interview children and give greater weight to the preferences of older children (typically age 12 and above). The child's wish is one factor among many.

12. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO PARENTING

12.1 Child Support

☐ Child support is addressed in a separate order.
☐ Child support is calculated concurrently per the Ohio Child Support Guidelines (ORC § 3119.02 et seq.). See attached Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet.

12.2 Health Insurance

[________________________________] (Parent ☐ A / ☐ B) shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the Children as available through employment or individual policy.

12.3 Unreimbursed Medical and Dental Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, orthodontic, optical, psychological, and prescription expenses shall be divided:
☐ Equally (50/50)
☐ Proportionally based on income: [____]% Parent A / [____]% Parent B

The parent incurring the expense shall provide documentation within 30 days. The other parent shall reimburse their share within 30 days of receiving documentation.

12.4 Childcare Costs

Work-related childcare costs shall be:
☐ Shared equally
☐ Shared proportionally: [____]% / [____]%
☐ Responsibility of the enrolling parent

12.5 Tax Dependency Exemption

The right to claim the Children as dependents for federal and state income tax purposes shall be allocated as follows:
[________________________________]

13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

13.1 Good-Faith Communication

Parents shall first attempt to resolve disputes through direct, respectful communication.

13.2 Mediation

If direct communication fails, parents shall participate in mediation before filing any motion with the Court (except in emergencies involving the Children's safety).

☐ Court-connected mediation program
☐ Private mediator: [________________________________]
☐ Either, as mutually agreed
Cost allocation: ☐ Equal ☐ [____]% Parent A / [____]% Parent B

County-specific mediation resources:
☐ Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court — Mediation Program (Local Rule 32)
☐ Franklin County — Court-connected mediation
☐ Hamilton County — Domestic Relations Court Mediation
☐ Other: [________________________________]

13.3 Court Proceedings

If mediation does not resolve the dispute, either parent may file a motion with the Court. The Court will apply the best interest standard of ORC § 3109.04(F)(1).

13.4 Governing Law and Forum

This Plan is governed by Ohio law, including ORC Chapter 3109 and ORC Chapter 3127 (UCCJEA). The Court of Common Pleas, [________________________________] County, Ohio retains exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.

14. MODIFICATION AND REVIEW

14.1 Modification Standard

This Plan, once incorporated as a Court order, may be modified or terminated under ORC § 3109.04(E)(2) upon a finding that modification or termination is in the best interest of the Children, or upon the mutual stipulation of both parents with Court approval.

14.2 Periodic Review

The parents agree to review this Plan:
☐ Annually on or about [________________________________]
☐ Upon a Child entering middle school, high school, or reaching age 12
☐ Upon any significant change in either parent's circumstances
☐ Other: [________________________________]

14.3 Developmental Adjustments

The parents recognize that the Children's needs change as they grow. The parents agree to discuss modifications to the parenting schedule as appropriate to accommodate developmental stages.

15. REQUIRED FILINGS CHECKLIST

☐ Parental History Affidavit (Supreme Court Form GC JF 2.0) — Required by ORC § 3109.04(M)
☐ This Shared Parenting Plan (filed at least 30 days before trial or with dissolution petition)
☐ Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (ORC § 3119.022)
☐ Income documentation per ORC § 3119.05
☐ Health insurance documentation
☐ Guardian ad Litem Report (if GAL appointed under Sup.R. 48)
☐ Mediation report or certificate (if required by local rule)
☐ Proposed Judgment Entry / Shared Parenting Decree

16. EXECUTION

The undersigned parents submit this Shared Parenting Plan and request that the Court approve and incorporate it as a Shared Parenting Decree pursuant to ORC § 3109.04(D)(1).

PARENT A:

Signature: _________________________________
Print Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

PARENT B:

Signature: _________________________________
Print Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

ATTORNEY FOR PARENT A (if applicable):

Signature: _________________________________
Print Name: [________________________________]
Ohio Supreme Court Registration No.: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

ATTORNEY FOR PARENT B (if applicable):

Signature: _________________________________
Print Name: [________________________________]
Ohio Supreme Court Registration No.: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

17. ORDER OF THE COURT — SHARED PARENTING DECREE

The Court, having reviewed the foregoing Shared Parenting Plan, the Parental History Affidavit(s), and being otherwise fully advised, finds:

1. This Shared Parenting Plan is in the best interest of the minor child(ren) after consideration of the factors enumerated in ORC § 3109.04(F)(1);
2. The Plan was voluntarily entered into by both parents;
3. The Plan includes all provisions required by ORC § 3109.04(G), including physical living arrangements, child support obligations, medical and dental care, school placement, and parenting time;
4. [________________________________] is designated as the Residential Parent for School Purposes pursuant to ORC § 3109.04(K).

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that this Shared Parenting Plan is approved and incorporated as a Shared Parenting Decree of this Court, effective [__/__/____].

SIGNED this [____] day of [________________________________], 20[____].

_________________________________
Judge / Magistrate
Court of Common Pleas
[________________________________] County, Ohio

☐ Magistrate's Decision — The parties are advised of their right to file objections within fourteen (14) days pursuant to Ohio Civil Rule 53(D)(3)(b).

Sources and References

Ohio Revised Code — Shared Parenting

• ORC § 3109.04 — Allocating Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Shared Parenting: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3109.04
• ORC § 3109.04(D)(1) — Filing and approval of shared parenting plans
• ORC § 3109.04(G) — Required contents of shared parenting plan
• ORC § 3109.04(J) — Definition of "shared parenting"
• ORC § 3109.04(K) — Residential parent for school purposes designation
• ORC § 3109.04(F)(1) — Best interest factors (a) through (j)
• ORC § 3109.04(M) — Parental History Affidavit requirement
• ORC § 3109.042 — Custody rights of unmarried mother: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3109.042
• ORC § 3109.051 — Parenting time rights: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3109.051
• ORC § 3109.051(G) — Notice of intent to relocate
• ORC § 3113.31 — Domestic violence: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3113.31

Ohio Supreme Court Rules and Forms

• Sup.R. 48 — Guardian ad Litem Standards
• Uniform Domestic Relations Form GC JF 2.0 — Parental History Affidavit
• Uniform Domestic Relations Form 20 — Shared Parenting Plan
• Planning for Parenting Time: Ohio's Guide for Parents Living Apart: https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/docs/Publications/JCS/parentingGuide.pdf

County-Specific Resources

• Cuyahoga County — Local Rule 18 (Shared Parenting): https://domestic.cuyahogacounty.gov/court-rules/local-rules/rule-18-shared-parenting
• Cuyahoga County — Parenting Time Guidelines: https://domestic.cuyahogacounty.gov/divorce-and-dissolutions/parenting/parenting-time
• Franklin County — Local Rule 27.1 (Parenting Time): https://drj.fccourts.org
• Cuyahoga County — Writing a Parenting Plan: https://ccdrc.ohiolegalhelp.org/detail/writing-parenting-plan

Prepared for attorney review. This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.