A report by researchers at Ohio State University shows child-custody policies are not uniform in the state.
The report shows that despite children faring better when they have equal time with both parents in cases of divorce or separation, a majority of Ohio's 88 counties have rules allowing one parent to care for a child less than 20 percent of the time. Report co-author and OSU professor Donald Hubin:
Hubin says the report shows only Ashtabula, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counities provide default schedules that call for equal time. He says Van Wert county's rule requires fathers have visitation every other weekend while mothers retain custody.
Hubin says if child-custody arrangements are handled properly, the negative effects of divorce or separation can be minimized. He says shared custody is a best-case scenario when there is great parental conflict. The report was commissioned by the National Parents Organization.