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Child Custody Attorney
in Columbus, OH

When your children's future is at stake, our elite Columbus child custody attorney fights tirelessly to secure parenting arrangements, custody orders, and shared parenting plans that serve your family's needs across Franklin County and Central Ohio.

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20+ Years
of proven results

Child Custody Representation with Stephanie N. Dailey

At Dailey Law Offices, we provide focused legal representation for parents facing custody disputes and family transitions throughout Central Ohio. Our founding attorney, Stephanie N. Dailey, earned her Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School in 2002 following her Bachelor's Degree in Communication from The Ohio State University.

Since establishing her practice in 2004, Stephanie has successfully advocated for parents in hundreds of Franklin County custody cases and contested parenting time disputes, bringing both legal expertise and genuine care to each family she represents. Her extensive experience in Columbus divorce and family law provides clients with comprehensive support during life's most challenging transitions.

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Dailey Law Offices Child Custody Services

We offer complete custody representation designed to protect your parental rights while prioritizing your children's well-being across all types of family situations, whether you are pursuing sole custody, shared parenting, or seeking to modify an existing parenting plan.

  • Initial Custody Determination

    Initial Custody Determination

    When parents separate or divorce, establishing initial custody arrangements in Columbus requires careful legal strategy and thorough preparation, including a detailed proposed parenting plan that addresses legal custody, residential parent designation, and parenting time. We gather evidence supporting your parental capabilities and develop compelling arguments for custody arrangements that reflect your children's needs.

  • Custody Modification

    Custody Modification

    Life changes may require adjustments to existing custody orders to better serve your family's current circumstances. We help Columbus-area parents seek modifications when significant changes in employment, residence, or family dynamics warrant new arrangements.

  • Parenting Time Enforcement

    Parenting Time Enforcement

    When the other parent violates court-ordered parenting time, swift legal action protects your relationship with your children. We pursue enforcement through Franklin County and Central Ohio courts contempt proceedings, makeup parenting time, and other remedies available under Ohio law.

  • Relocation Disputes

    Relocation Disputes

    When one parent wishes to relocate with the children, these cases require immediate attention and a strategic legal response. We can represent either the relocating parent seeking court approval or the non-relocating parent opposing a proposed move.

  • Emergency Custody Orders

    Emergency Custody Orders

    When immediate threats to children's safety arise, emergency custody proceedings provide urgent protection. We file emergency motions when domestic violence, substance abuse, or other dangers require immediate intervention, including ex parte custody orders and civil protection orders through the appropriate Central Ohio domestic relations court.

  • Paternity

    Paternity

    We assist both mothers and fathers throughout Columbus and Central Ohio establishing legal paternity, a process that determines the biological father of a child born outside of marriage. Establishing paternity is the first step toward securing legal rights and responsibilities, including custody, visitation, and child support.

  • Father’s Rights

    Father’s Rights

    Dailey Law Offices is dedicated to protecting the rights of fathers in all family law matters across the Columbus area. We help fathers establish and maintain strong relationships with their children, addressing issues such as custody, parenting time, and decision-making authority.

  • Child Support

    Child Support

    We provide comprehensive guidance on Columbus child support matters, representing both parents seeking support and those with an obligation to pay. We ensure support calculations are accurate and based on Ohio guidelines, taking into account income, parenting time, and other relevant factors.

  • Spousal Support (Alimony)

    Spousal Support (Alimony)

    Our firm assists Columbus clients in all aspects of spousal support, whether you are seeking it or may be required to pay it. We evaluate factors such as the length of the marriage, income disparity, and financial contributions to determine an appropriate amount and duration.

  • Grandparents’ Rights

    Grandparents’ Rights

    Read more

    In certain circumstances, grandparents and other relatives in Columbus and across Franklin County may seek custody or visitation rights with children. We represent family members pursuing these rights and parents defending against such claims.

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Your Children Deserve Dedicated Legal Advocacy

Custody decisions shape your family's future for years to come. At Dailey Law Offices, we combine assertive legal representation with compassionate guidance, helping Columbus families build strong cases that protect both your parental rights and your children's well-being.

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or call
(614) 524-4048
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Why Choose Our Columbus Child Custody Attorney?

Dailey Law Offices brings focused expertise to custody cases, recognizing that these matters require both legal skill and sensitivity to family dynamics. We approach each case with personalized attention and strategic thinking tailored to your specific situation, and we understand the local procedures used by Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Pickaway, and Licking County domestic relations courts.

  • Proven Track Record

    Hundreds of successfully litigated and mediated custody cases resolved through skilled advocacy and strategic negotiation.

  • Strong Court Presence

    Effective courtroom advocacy backed by thorough case preparation and compelling evidence presentation.

  • Collaborative Solutions

    Mediation and negotiation skills that help Columbus families reach agreements outside of court when possible.

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Areas We Serve

Our Hilliard-based office provides child custody services throughout multiple counties in Central Ohio — Franklin, Fairfield, Pickaway, Delaware, and Licking:

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Ohio
3974-D Brown Park Drive Hilliard,
OH 43026

Protecting What Matters: Child Custody Solutions

Child custody decisions impact your family relationships, children's stability, and parental rights for years ahead. At Dailey Law Offices, we provide the legal knowledge, strategic thinking, and dedicated advocacy necessary to protect what matters most to your family, from the first filing in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to the final approval of your parenting plan. Don't leave your parental rights to chance — get skilled legal counsel that fights for your family's future.

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Faq

  • What are the different types of custody in Ohio?

    Ohio law recognizes two main types of custody: legal custody (which determines who makes decisions about a child's education, healthcare, and upbringing) and physical custody (which determines where the child lives). Often, parents share both legal and physical custody, but the specific terms can vary greatly, and Ohio additionally recognizes shared parenting, sole residential parent designation, and split custody arrangements.

  • How does an Ohio court decide who gets custody?

    Courts in Ohio make custody decisions based on a standard known as the child's best interest. They consider numerous factors, including the child's wishes (if they're mature enough), each parent's ability to provide a stable home, the child's relationship with each parent, and any history of domestic violence.

  • Can a child decide who to live with in Ohio?

    Ohio law does not allow the child to decide which parent they live with. However, a court will consider the child's wishes, especially if the child is old enough and mature enough to express their preference. The court determines how much weight to give the child's opinion based on their age and reasoning.

  • How long does a child custody case take in Ohio?

    The timeline for a child custody case in Ohio varies. If parents can reach a mutual agreement, the process can be resolved relatively quickly. However, contested cases that involve investigations, multiple hearings, and litigation can take many months or even over a year to finalize.

  • What is a parenting plan?

    A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines how parents will share the responsibilities of raising their child. It covers important details such as a residential schedule, holiday and vacation schedules, transportation arrangements, and how parents will communicate and make significant decisions for the child. A court must approve the parenting plan to make it legally binding.