Ohio law provides several rights to unmarried mothers in the state, including legal recognition of maternity, custody and parenting time, and the ability to seek financial support from the child's father. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the specific rights of unmarried mothers under Ohio law.

Legal Recognition of Maternity

Under Ohio law, an unmarried mother has the legal right to be recognized as the sole parent and guardian of her child. This means that she has the authority to make decisions regarding the child's welfare, including medical care, education, and religious upbringing. Additionally, she has the right to establish paternity and seek child support from the child's father.

Custody and Parenting Time

An unmarried mother also has the right to seek custody of her child and establish parenting time arrangements with the child's father. In Ohio, the court considers the best interests of the child when making custody and parenting time decisions. This includes factors such as the child's relationship with each parent, the parents' ability to provide for the child's needs, and the child's preferences (if they are old enough to express them).

If the parents cannot agree on custody and parenting time arrangements, the court may order mediation or a custody evaluation to help them reach a resolution. If an agreement cannot be reached, the court may make a decision based on the best interests of the child.

Child Support

An unmarried mother also has the right to seek financial support from the child's father. Under Ohio law, both parents have an obligation to support their child. The amount of child support is determined based on a number of factors, including each parent's income and the child's needs.

If the father denies paternity, the mother may need to establish paternity through DNA testing. Once paternity is established, the father can be ordered to pay child support. The mother can also seek back child support for any period of time before the order is entered.

Unmarried Fathers' Rights

It's worth noting that unmarried fathers also have rights under Ohio law. If a father establishes paternity, he has the right to seek custody and parenting time with his child. He also has an obligation to provide financial support for the child.

However, if the father does not establish paternity, he may not have any legal rights to the child. Additionally, if the mother has sole custody of the child and the father has not established paternity, he may not be entitled to notice of any legal proceedings involving the child.

Conclusion

Unmarried mothers have several important rights under Ohio law, including legal recognition of maternity, custody and parenting time, and the ability to seek financial support from the child's father. These rights help ensure that unmarried mothers have the ability to provide for their child's needs and make decisions regarding their welfare. If you are an unmarried mother and need assistance establishing these rights, it may be helpful to consult with a family law attorney who can guide you through the legal process.