Local Parenting Time Guidelines

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO

PARENTING TIME GUIDELINES

Parenting time is a time for child(ren) to do things with the noncustodial parent.

Activities that you do with them or skills you can teach them help make the time be rewarding

and enriching. Encouraging the child(ren) to find friends in your neighborhood also helps make

it like home for them. Children clearly profit by continued meaningful contact with both parents.

Children need the continuing and regular involvement of both parents to feel loved. No specific

schedule will satisfy the change in needs of both children and parents over the years. Critical to

the success of any schedule is that each parent be flexible, based upon the changing needs of the

child, as the child grows older.

This Guideline Parenting Schedule takes into account the changing developmental needs

of children. This schedule represents the minimum requirements for parenting time. It is each

parent’s responsibility to tailor this schedule as necessary to meet the best interest of their

child(ren). It is recognized that each situation and each child is different. Liberal parenting time

arrangements are encouraged, as contact with both parents is important to the child(ren). Absent

agreement to the contrary, each parent shall follow these requirements. Specific items in each

case’s Order take precedence over this schedule as the court will strive to adopt a parenting

schedule that is in the child(ren)’s best interests. Changes or modifications can be made by the

court if needed. Any request to deviate from the following parenting schedule shall be supported

by the filing of the proper motion.

NO PARENT IS PERMITTED TO MAKE PARENTING TIME ARRANGEMENTS OR

MODIFY ORDERED PARENTING TIME ARRANGEMENTS DIRECTLY WITH THE

CHILD(REN). THE PARENTS MUST PERSONALLY DISCUSS ANY ISSUES OR

CONFLICTS INVOLVING PARENTING TIME WITHOUT USING THE CHILD(REN)

AS INTERMEDIARY/INTERMEDIARIES. THE USE OF EMAIL OR TEXTING IS A

GOOD IDEA BECAUSE IT CREATES A RECORD.

I. REASONABLE PARENTING TIME:

This guideline schedule shall be considered

reasonable parenting time. Additional parenting time arranged between the parents is

strongly encouraged.

1. MONTHLY SCHEDULE

A. WEEKEND PARENTING TIME: The non-residential parent shall have

parenting time with the minor child(ren) every other weekend commencing at

6:00 P.M. Thursday and terminating at 8:00 A.M. on Monday. If there is no

school, parenting time shall be until Monday at 6:00 P.M.

i. Parenting time is contingent upon the parent being present and having the

ability to get the child(ren) to school and activities on time. There shall be

no tardiness or unexcused absences.

ii. The parent in possession is responsible for ensuring that all homework

assignments are completed and submitted on time.

iii. Any licensed driver who is known to the child(ren) may take the child(ren)

to school or pick up the child(ren) after school. If someone other than the

parent is going to pick up the child(ren) after school, the school must be

notified in advance.

iv. If the parent cannot get the child(ren) to school on time, the parenting time

shall be from Friday at 4:00 p.m. until Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

B. WEEKDAY PARENTING TIME: If the non-residential parent is able to get

the child(ren) to school and activities, parenting time shall be from Tuesday at

4:00 p.m. until Thursday at 4:00 p.m. during the weeks he/she does not have

weekend parenting time.

If the non-residential parent cannot get the child(ren) to school and activities on

time, parenting time shall be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday

from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the weeks he/she does not have weekend

parenting time.

*All times may be adjusted to avoid conflict with work schedules, but minimal

adjustment is encouraged.

**Holiday parenting times have precedence over the regular parenting time. The

regular parenting time schedule shall commence the following weekend. The

parent who did not exercise parenting time for the holiday weekend shall exercise

their parenting time this weekend and starting a new rotation of the schedule.

C. (1) HOLIDAYS: Mother’s Day and Father’s Day shall be spent with the

appropriate parent. Should such holiday occur during the nonresidential parent’s

parenting time, said parent shall have the child from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(2) CHRISTMAS: In odd numbered years, the non-residential parent shall be

entitled to parenting time Dec. 18

at 6:00 P.M. to Dec. 25

at 12:00 noon (if the

child(ren) is (are) not in school. If the child(ren) is (are) in school, parenting time

shall be from 6:00 P.M. of the last day of school to 12:00 noon on Dec. 25

.) In

odd numbered years, the residential parent shall be entitled to parenting time from

12:00 noon, Dec. 25

to 6:00 P.M. on New Year’s Day, Jan 1.

In even numbered years, the residential parent shall be entitled to parenting time

Dec. 18

at 6:00 P.M. to Dec. 25

at 12:00 noon (if the child(ren) is (are) not in

school. If the child(ren) is (are) in school, parenting time shall be from 6:00 P.M.

of the last day of school to 12:00 noon on Dec. 25

.) In even numbered years, the

non-residential parent shall be entitled to parenting time from 12:00 noon,

Dec. 25

to 6:00 P.M. on New Year’s Day, Jan 1.

(3) THANKSGIVING: In even numbered years, the non-residential parent

shall be entitled to parenting time from Wednesday, 6:00 P.M. to Friday

6:00 P.M. In even numbered years, the residential parent shall be entitled to

parenting time from Friday, 6:00 P.M. to Sunday, 6:00 P.M.

In odd numbered years, the residential parent shall be entitled to parenting time

from Wednesday, 6:00 P.M. to Friday 6:00 P.M. In odd numbered years, the non-

residential parent shall be entitled to parenting time from Friday, 6:00 P.M. to

Sunday, 6:00 P.M.

(4) EASTER: In odd numbered years, the non-residential parent shall be entitled

to parenting time from Thursday, 6:00 P.M., to 6:00 P.M. the day before school

resumes. In even numbered years, the residential parent shall have the child(ren)

from Thursday, 6:00 P.M., to 6:00 P.M. the day before school resumes.

(5) FOURTH OF JULY: In even numbered years, the non-residential parent

shall have parenting time from July 3

at 6:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on July 5

In odd numbered years, the residential parent shall have parenting time from July

at 6:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on July 5

(6) MEMORIAL DAY: In even numbered years, the non-residential parent

shall have parenting time on Friday, 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Monday. In odd

numbered years, the residential parent shall have parenting time on Friday, 6:00

P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Monday.

(7) LABOR DAY: In odd numbered years, the non-residential parent shall have

parenting time on Friday, 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Monday. In even numbered

years, the residential parent shall have parenting time on Friday, 6:00 P.M. to

6:00 P.M. on Monday.

(8) MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY: The non-residential parent shall have

parenting time on Friday, 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Monday.

(9) PRESIDENT’S DAY: The non-residential parent shall have parenting time

on Friday, 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Monday.

D. BIRTHDAYS: In even numbered years, the non-residential parent shall have the

child on his/her birthday from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. if a non-school day, or

from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on a school day. The residential parent shall have

the child on the day following his/her birthday for four (4) hours, 4:00 P.M. to

8:00 P.M., on a school day or week day and 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on a

Saturday or Sunday.

In odd numbered years, the residential parent shall have the child on his/her

birthday from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. if a non-school day, or from 4:00 P.M. to

8:00 P.M. on a school day. The non-residential parent shall have the child on the

day following his/her birthday for four (4) hours, 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., on a

school day or week day and 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on a Saturday or Sunday.

PARENT’S BIRTHDAYS: The child(ren) shall spend each parent’s birthday

from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. if a non-school day, or from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

on a school day with that parent unless otherwise ordered by the court or

agreement of the parents.

E. SUMMER PARENTING TIMES: The non-residential parent shall have

extended summer parenting time for five (5) weeks duration. The nonresidential

parent shall commence summer parenting time on July 10

and therefore shall

have the final three weeks of July and the first two weeks of August. Such

parenting time shall be continuous, except the parents may agree otherwise.

Residential and non-residential parent shall cooperate with regard to their

parenting time.

Each parent shall be permitted to have two weeks of uninterrupted parenting time

for purposes of a vacation during that parent’s half of the summer. Each of the

parents shall give the other notice no later than April 1

of each year of the dates

when they will be exercising their uninterrupted parenting time. Each parent shall

notify the other of the location of the vacation and exact dates of the vacation.

Telecommunications between the child(ren) and the non-visiting parent shall

continue during the vacation and shall not be considered an interruption.

If the parents agree, they may elect to exercise summer parenting time in the

following manner:

i. The parents may agree to alternate weeks commencing with the second

week of June.

ii. The parents may exercise parenting time for two weeks in June, two

weeks in July, and one week in August.

The non-residential parent shall not interfere with extra curricular activities, but

shall be responsible for transportation to extracurricular events and shall

encourage participation in same. However, the residential parent shall not enroll

the child(ren) in any summer extra curricular event that would disrupt the summer

parenting time of the non-residential parent unless the non-residential parent

agrees to the activity in writing.

During the extended summer parenting time the residential parent shall have the

right to have weekend parenting time with the minor child(ren) on at least two

weekends commencing Thursday at 6:00 p.m. and ending Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

The residential parent shall advise the nonresidential parent of which weekends he

or she will exercise parenting time by April 1

of each year. This shall not

interfere with uninterrupted vacation time.

II. STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

1. RELOCATION NOTICE:

If the residential parent intends to move to a residence other than the last

residence of court record, he/she shall file a notice of intent to relocate with this

Court sixty (60) days in advance. Except as provided in ORC 3109.051(G)(2),

(3), and (4) pertaining to incidents involving a conviction of domestic violence, a

copy of such notice shall be mailed by the Court to the non-residential parent. On

receipt of the notice, the court, on its own motion or on the motion of the non-

residential parent, may schedule a hearing with notice to both parents to

determine whether it is in the best interest of the child(ren) to revise the parenting

time schedule for the child(ren). Said notice shall be filed 60 days prior to the

relocation.

2. RECORDS ACCESS NOTICE:

Except as specifically modified or otherwise limited by court order, and subject to

statutory restrictions on files maintained by the Child Support Enforcement

Agency and files maintained by any Education Institution when the non-

residential parent is involved in a domestic violence situation, the non-residential

parent is entitled to access under the same terms and conditions as the residential

parent to any record that is related to the child(ren) and to which the residential

parent is legally provided access, including school records and medical records.

Any keeper of a record, public or private, who knowingly fails to comply with

this order, is in contempt of Court.

Both parents shall have access to the child(ren)’s school records. Both parents are

encouraged to participate in parent-teacher conferences, school trips, school

programs and other school events in which parents are invited to participate. The

parent receiving the grade card shall give a copy to the other parent within a

reasonable time.

Subject to Ohio Revised Code Section 2301.35(G)(2) and 3319.321(F), the non-

residential parent shall be entitled to access any record related to the child(ren)

under the same terms and conditions that access is provided to the residential

parent.

3. DAY CARE CENTER ACCESS NOTICE:

Except as specifically modified or otherwise limited by court order, and in

accordance with statutory requirements of a operating a daycare, the non-

residential parent is entitled to access to any day care center that is or will be

attended by the child(ren) with whom parenting time is granted, to the same

extent that the residential parent is granted access to the center.

4. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES NOTICE:

Except as specifically modified or otherwise limited by the court order, and

subject to Ohio law pertaining to the privacy of domestic violence victims or

family members, the non-residential parent is entitled to access, under the same

terms and conditions as the residential parent to any student activity that is related

to the child(ren) to which the residential parent legally is provided access.

Subject to Ohio law pertaining to the privacy of domestic violence victims or

family members, the non-residential parent shall have access to any student

activity involving the child(ren) under the same terms and conditions that access

is provided to the residential parent.

III. GENERAL COMMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS:

1. The non-residential parent shall give twenty-four (24) hours advance notice

of cancellation of parenting time.

2. The residential parent shall advise when a child is significantly ill and unable

to visit with as much advance notice as practicable.

3. Both parents shall have the child(ren) ready for commencement and

termination of parenting time at the appointed time. There shall be no buffer

for tardiness.

4. Both parents shall be punctual. NO parent shall have to wait for an appointed

time. A parent who is late forfeits companionship for that period. However,

if a parent is unavoidably detained (e.g. by unexpected traffic or work) he/she

shall give notice to the other parent and parenting time shall be adjusted

accordingly.

5. Child(ren) shall not be taken to a bar during parenting time. A restaurant that

has a bar is acceptable if the parents are there to eat a meal.

6. Child(ren) shall not be left with a babysitter while the visiting parent pursues

his or her own pleasures or activities. It is encouraged that the child(ren) not

be left with friends or family members during a parenting time except if the

non-residential parent is working or in an emergency.

7. Disparaging remarks about the other parent SHALL NOT be made to the

child(ren) or in the presence of the child(ren). Neither parent shall discuss

any issues related to the divorce with the child(ren).

8. The residential parent shall notify the non-residential parent of any illness or

malady that requires medical attention. No surgery, except emergency

surgery, shall be performed without a good faith effort to give notice to the

non-residential parent. Each parent may authorize emergency medical care

for the child(ren).

9. Unless agreed otherwise, transportation for parenting time shall be divided as

follows: the non-residential parent shall pick up the child(ren) at the

residence of the residential parent for the beginning of parenting time and the

residential parent shall pick-up the child(ren) at the residence of the non-

residential parent at the end of parenting time. Any licensed adult who is

known to the child(ren) may transport the child(ren).

10. Parenting time granted shall be exercised; parenting time not taken is lost.

Parenting time not taken do to the actions of the residential parent is not

waived, but shall occur on the next immediately following weekend.

11. Parenting time requires communication and cooperation. Both parents shall

cooperate with regard to parenting time.

12. The child(ren) are not property. Parenting time questions shall be decided

with a prime consideration of the best interest of the child(ren).

13. Telephone Access:

The non-residential parent may call the child(ren) not more than three (3)

times per week and speak with said child(ren) for not less than 15 minutes on

each call.

The child(ren) is/are permitted to call the non-residential parent at least once

per day at reasonable times. If the call is long distance, the child(dren) shall

call collect.

The residential parent shall not interfere with or prevent telephone

communication between the non-residential parent and the child(ren) nor

shall the non-residential parent interfere with or prevent telephone

communication between the residential parent and the child(ren) during

parenting time.

Webcams: Where it is financially possible, the parents shall each establish a

webcam connection (eg. Skype or Facetime) so that all communications with

the child(ren) can be over a webcam where each parent may see the other and

therefore enhance the parenting time.

14. This schedule does not affect support payments. Additional parenting time

is encouraged, but that factor does not necessarily create a deviation in child

support. Child support is not abated for any period of parenting time.

15. If the parent exercising parenting time is to be away for a period of at least

eight (8) hours, the other parent, if available, shall have the right to have the

child(ren) during that period and shall have priority over other baby sitters.