Ohio state Reps. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, and Marilyn John, R-Richland County have re-introduced legislation changing Ohio family law to mandate the rebuttable presumption of 50/50 equal shared parenting upon divorce.
However, the bill is getting strong opposition from the usual suspects. Both the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Judicial Conference have come out in opposition to the bill, claiming that the “best interest of the children doctrine” is the best standard for assigning custody. In addition, of course domestic violence groups have chimed in claiming that a rebuttable presumption of equal shared parenting puts children at risk of abuse.
But let’s clear a couple things up. First, the best interests of the children doctrine is not in the best interests of children and families, it is in the best interests of maximizing litigation fees for the family court industry; and bankrupting those families in the process. Secondly, the domestic violence groups, as usual, are forgetting to mention that the law calls for a rebuttable presumption, not a mandate. If there is abuse happening, it can still be dealt with just fine.
What both groups really oppose is how much money this will cost them in lost fees, and the fact that instead of one parent having to prove why they Should have equal parenting time, the burden has now fallen on the contesting parent to show why they shouldn’t have parental equality.
If you live in Ohio, get on the phone and let your legislators know they serve you, not special interest groups lobbying to throw parents and children under the bus for money.
You can read more about the bill by clicking here.
