Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio

In Ohio, Shared Parenting Decrees typically issue when it is clear from the evidence before the court that the parties get along well and can work together to make major decisions in the life of the child (for instance, who the primary care physician will be, what school the child will attend, what church, etc). Shared parenting is more than just equal time, it is equality in decision making between two people who can show the court that they can and will work together.

If you can show that you and the father do not get along at all and cannot work together, and if you can show the court that it is in the best interest of the child to give you custody and him visitation, then the court will likely do that.

The father's criminal past will likely be of interest to the court, depending upon what he was convicted of and you should certainly call him as a witness if he does not otherwise testify. You can show him the records and ask him to confirm them while he is on the stand. But you really would do better with an attorney if you can possibly arrange to have one there.