614-241-2174Losing custody of a child is one of the worst feelings a parent in Ohio or anywhere else may experience. However, just because the courts have decided the child is currently better off with the other parent or in foster care does not mean that this will always be the case. Ideally, parents will be honest about why they lost custody and what they have to do to get it back.
If a judge asks a parent to take part in anger management counseling or a drug or alcohol program, he or she should do that. Even if a person does not believe that a problem exists, it is generally better to do what the court says as opposed to arguing about the ruling. Generally speaking, people should be patient and polite throughout the process of attempting to regain custody.
Individuals should also make sure that they spend as much time with their children as possible after losing custody. In many cases, noncustodial parents will be allowed to visit with or otherwise interact with their children. Those who have lost custody of their children may want to request a home check or some other way to verify that regaining custody is in the child’s best interest. Showing up on time to hearings can also help parents regain joint or sole custody of their children.
The law generally allows both parents to have an active role in their children’s’ lives if it is safe to do so. Therefore, a person may receive visitation rights even if he or she doesn’t receive or regain physical or legal custody rights. An attorney may help someone who is looking to play a bigger role in how his or her son or daughter is brought up.