Same-sex couples seeking to establish custody of children may face complications. A child custody lawyer in Hilliard, OH, at Don Roberts Law Offices offers insight on how the law regards birth parents and adopting parents in gay and lesbian relationships.

Here’s how child custody lawyers and Ohio courts handle same-sex child custody issues:

• Right to Custody: An unmarried female couple starts a family with one of the women undergoing artificial insemination using the sperm of an unknown donor. The child’s birth mother has full right to custody of the child. Her partner does not have any legal right as a parent to the child.
• Agreement to Share Custody: To establish joint custody between the couple, the birth mother creates a shared custody agreement, giving up her right to sole custody and sharing it with her partner. The document states the couple’s plans for handling the child’s health care, education, financial support, religious upbringing, and a parenting plan if the couple ends their relationship.
• Validity of Agreement: For female and male same-sex couples, when both partners sign an agreement to share custody, it becomes valid, and either partner can enforce it in court. To obtain additional optional protection, couples can file the documents with a Juvenile Court for the court to adopt the agreement as a court order.
• Second Parent Adoptions: Generally, Ohio does not allow second parent adoptions, in which the birth parent does not give up their parental rights. However, the state honors agreements to share custody. Child custody lawyers help couples prepare shared custody agreements.

At Don Roberts Law Offices, child custody lawyers offer sound advice and vigorous representation to same-sex couples facing custody and adoption issues. Hilliard, Columbus, Dublin, and Franklin County residents count on these experienced attorneys for wise counsel and professional service in addressing these complicated, sensitive matters.   

When you have questions about same-sex custody, contact a child custody lawyer at Don Roberts Law Offices. Visit their website today to learn more about parental rights law, and call (614) 777-4500 to schedule your appointment.

^{Don Roberts Law Offices is based in Columbus, Ohio, but serves clients throughout the State of Ohio. Our office in Hilliard, Ohio is convenient to Dublin, New Jefferson, Bexley, Westerville, New Albany, Hilliard, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, and other Franklin County municipalities. Our office is located in central Ohio and is just a short drive to/from anywhere in Ohio.  Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only and should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.  See our profile at Avvo.com or Martindale.com.}