top of page
Welcome to Our Legal Blog
Our blog serves as an educational series dedicated to current laws and updates on Ohio family law specifically for fathers in Columbus and Athens. Whether you’re ready for a custody hearing, need guidance on child support, or navigating a divorce or dissolution, this is your essential resource. Subscribe to stay informed and receive updates and legal insights on topics relevant to Franklin County, Athens County, and nearby Ohio courts: https://andrewrusslaw.blog
Check out the articles below:
Guardian ad Litem in Ohio Custody Cases: What Sup.R. 48 Requires—and What Parents Can Expect (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ Law • Educational Overview A plain‑English, educational overview of Guardian ad Litem (GAL) roles in Ohio custody cases—what Sup.R. 48 covers, how GALs typically work, timing of reports, and practical preparation tips. Not legal advice. Introduction Parents in Ohio custody cases often hear the term “Guardian ad Litem” (GAL) and wonder what this person does and how their input fits into the court’s decision-making. This article offers a plain‑English, education
-
Nov 3, 2025
Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting: Practical Communication Frameworks for High-Conflict Situations
Educational Overview for Ohio Parents (Informational Only) By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Note: This document is for general, educational purposes only. It does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Families’ circumstances vary widely; use the ideas here as neutral, practical examples you can adapt to your situation. 1) Plain-English Terms People Commonly Use These short summaries reflect how many families describe their
-
Nov 2, 2025
Exchange Logistics 101: Neutral Locations, Weather Work‑Arounds, and Make‑Up Time (Educational Overview)
Plain‑English planning tips for Ohio co‑parents. This resource is educational and process‑focused. By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Disclaimer: The blog and articles provide general educational information, are not legal advice, and do not create an attorney/client relationship. Legal outcomes vary by facts and jurisdiction. Consult an attorney about your specific situation . 1) What this covers (and what it doesn’t) Everyday logistics parents often organize for
-
Nov 1, 2025
Winter Weather and Parenting Time in Ohio: Snow‑Day Schedules, Makeup Time, and Communication Plans
By Andrew Russ Law Ohio winters bring snow days, hazardous roads, and travel delays. Those realities can disrupt parenting‑time exchanges even in well‑organized families. This educational guide offers neutral, kid‑first ways parents commonly plan for winter weather, communicate about delays, and set practical makeup‑time options. It is not legal advice. Educational Notice: This post is general information for Ohio parents. It is not legal advice. If you have questions about y
-
Oct 31, 2025
School Attendance, Tardies, and Progress Reports: What Parents Track and Share Under Ohio Parenting Orders By Andrew Russ, Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney A plain-English overview of what Ohio parents often track and share—attendance, tardies, progress reports—and neutral ways to organize school info. Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. What Parents Commonly Track & Share · Attendance data: daily presence/absence, excused vs. unexcused, tardies, early dismissals · School
-
Oct 30, 2025
Virtual and Long-Distance Parenting Time in Ohio: Schedules, Travel Logistics, and Practical Tools (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Why this topic matters Modern families are mobile. New jobs, remarriage, college moves, and military service can put real distance between a child’s two homes. When parents live far apart—or even just far enough that mid-week visits are impractical—families often lean on two things: 1) Long-distance schedules that concentrate time into school breaks or extended weekends, and 2) Virtual parenting time (video/voice) that keeps rela
-
Oct 29, 2025
Holiday and Special-Day Schedules in Ohio Parenting Orders: Swaps, Tie-Breakers, and Make-Up Time — An Educational Overview
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Purpose of this overview: This article describes common ways families organize holidays and special days in parenting orders. It is informational only and does not recommend any particular arrangement or provide legal advice. What “holiday & special-day time” often refers to In many parenting orders, holidays, school breaks, and family milestones are listed separately from the regular weekly routine. Examples frequently seen in s
-
Oct 28, 2025
Meet Andrew Russ: Family Law Attorney
andrewrusslaw.com When facing family law challenges, having a knowledgeable and dedicated attorney by your side can make all the difference. I want to introduce you to Andrew Russ, a family law attorney who focuses on representing men and fathers in Central and Southeastern Ohio. His goal is to protect your rights and guide you through complex legal matters like divorce, custody, and support issues. This post will give you a clear understanding of who Andrew Russ is, what he
-
Oct 27, 2025
Expense Reimbursements in Ohio Parenting Orders: Medical, School, and Activities—How Parents Document and Resolve Disputes (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney — Educational, Non‑Legal Advice Resource Plain‑English guide for Ohio parents on submitting and tracking unreimbursed medical, school, and extracurricular expenses under parenting orders, with documentation tips, practical workflows, and a free monthly reimbursement log template. Disclaimer This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney‑client relationsh
-
Oct 24, 2025
School Choice & Medical Decisions in Ohio Parenting Orders: Tie-Breakers, Deadlocks, and the Courts
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney How Ohio orders handle school and medical decisions—tie-breakers, deadlocks, and the documentation courts respect. Quick takeaway (plain-English) Ohio parenting orders usually say who makes major decisions (education, health care, counseling, activities). Some orders grant joint decision-making; others give one parent final say. If parents share decisions and hit a stalemate, courts look for tie-breaker clauses or deadlock proced
-
Oct 23, 2025
Supervised Parenting Time in Ohio: When It’s Ordered and Paths Back to Unsupervised Time (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney What supervised parenting time means in Ohio, when courts order it, and practical steps families use to move back to unsupervised time. Why this overview matters Few topics generate more anxiety than supervised parenting time. For some families, supervision acts as a short-term safety guardrail; for others, it becomes a frustrating, open-ended arrangement that’s hard to change. This educational guide—prepared for Ohio readers by
-
Oct 22, 2025
School Choice and Extracurricular Conflicts in Ohio Parenting Orders: How Courts Typically Look at Best-Interest Factors (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney How Ohio courts typically evaluate school and activity conflicts using best-interest factors—practical, educational insights. How This Post Bridges Two Common Pain Points This educational overview links two topics that often collide in real life: • Standard schedules a
-
Oct 21, 2025
Right of First Refusal in Ohio Parenting Plans: An Educational Overview
Learn how “Right of First Refusal” works in Ohio parenting plans—what it means, when it applies, and documentation tips. Educational overview. By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Educational disclaimer This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Parenting-time issues are fact‑specific and turn on local court rules and case facts. If you have questions about your situation, consider consulting a qualified Ohio family-law attorney.
-
Oct 20, 2025
Flexible Payment Options for Legal Services
When facing family law issues, especially in Central and Southeastern Ohio, the cost of legal services can be a significant concern. Navigating divorce, custody battles, or other family matters often requires professional legal help, but many hesitate due to financial worries. Fortunately, understanding flexible payment options for legal services can ease this burden and make legal support more accessible. Understanding Legal Services Payment Options Legal fees can vary widel
-
Oct 20, 2025
Contempt vs. Modification, Part II: Evidence That Moves the Needle in Ohio Parenting-Time Cases (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Educational overview only. This post is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Background: This article builds on our plain‑English primer, “Contempt vs. Modification in Ohio Parenting Orders—Which Motion Fits Your Situation?” Read it here: https://www.andrewrusslaw.com/post/contempt-vs-modification-in-ohio-parenting-orders-which-motion-fits-your-situation What this article covers (and what it doesn
-
Oct 18, 2025
Standard Parenting Time Schedules in Franklin & Athens Counties: How to Read, Use, and Modify Them (Educational Overview)
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Plain‑English explainer of standard parenting time schedules in Franklin and Athens Counties, Ohio—how to read them, practical tips for exchanges and holidays, and what documentation courts typically expect if you ask to modify. Educational only; not legal advice. Educational Disclaimer: This article provides general, educational information about common parenting‑time concepts in Ohio. It is not legal advice and does not create
-
Oct 17, 2025
Contempt vs. Modification in Ohio Parenting Orders: Which Motion Fits Your Situation?
By Attorney Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Lawyer Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Unsure whether to file contempt or seek modification of parenting orders in Ohio? Learn the difference, evidence, and next steps. Quick takeaway When an order is being ignored, parents usually pursue contempt (show cause) to enforce what already exists. When an order no longer fits the child’
-
Oct 16, 2025
Relocation (Move-Away) in Ohio Parenting Cases: Notice, Objections, and Best-Interest Factors
By Attorney Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Lawyer Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Introduction: Why Relocation Matters in Ohio Parenting Cases Relocation—sometimes called a “move-away”—can significantly affect a child’s schedule, school, and connection with both parents. In Ohio, relocation questions typically arise after a court has already issued a custody or parenting-t
-
Oct 15, 2025
Parenting Time Interference vs. Legitimate Safety Concerns: An Educational Overview for Ohio Parents
By Andrew Russ , Ohio Father’s Rights Attorney Learn the difference between parenting time interference and legitimate safety concerns in Ohio—documentation tips and what courts generally expect. Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship Introduction: Why This Distinction Matters In Ohio family cases, conflicts about parenting time often center on two very different issues: parenting ti
-
Oct 13, 2025
Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders in Ohio Family Cases: What They Are—and What They Aren’t
An educational overview for Ohio families and fathers, focusing on domestic-relations courts By Attorney Andrew Russ, Ohio Family Law...
-
Oct 12, 2025
bottom of page