Child Custody Lawyer in Dayton, Ohio
Few decisions matter more than what happens to your children. Anne Harvey has represented parents in custody matters throughout Dayton and Southwest Ohio for 30+ years, and she will tell you plainly what a court is likely to focus on — and what won't matter nearly as much as you think.
Contacting Anne Harvey Law through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Hire the Lawyer Who Actually Handles Your Case
Custody disputes are stressful enough without wondering who you'll be talking to next. Here is what it actually means to hire Anne for your custody case:
You Work With Anne — Not a Rotating Team
Every call, every filing, every court date involves the same attorney: Anne herself. You will never have to re-explain your case to a new associate.
Straight Answers, Not Just What You Want to Hear
Anne tells clients the truth about where their case stands, including the parts that are hard to hear, so decisions get made with clear eyes.
30+ Years Focused on Ohio Family Law
Decades spent exclusively on divorce, custody, and support matters in Southwest Ohio courts, not a general practice that handles family law on the side.
Credentials You'd Expect From a Large Firm
OSBA Board Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law, and an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest peer-review rating.
“She will not steer you wrong and will be honest with you. She never fed me any lies. In Anne you have it all — she delivers what she says she will, as long as you do your part too.”— Former Client, Anne Harvey Law
Every family law matter is different. Past client experiences do not predict or guarantee the outcome of your case.
On Representing Parents for Thirty-Plus Years
Custody cases are the ones that stay with you. I can still picture kids I represented parents for who are grown now, with kids of their own. That's what thirty-plus years in one place does — it turns a career into something closer to a long memory of other people's families.
Here's something most parents don't expect going in: courts care far less about who was the better spouse and far more about who can actually parent well day to day. School, doctors, routines, keeping the other parent in the loop. I've watched good parents lose ground in a case because they spent their energy relitigating the marriage instead of showing the judge what their parenting actually looks like.
I don't tell clients what they want to hear about their odds. I tell them what I think a judge in this area is realistically going to focus on, based on doing this for longer than some judges have been on the bench. Sometimes that means telling a client their strongest argument isn't the one they walked in with.
What I want for every custody client is the same thing: a plan for their kids that actually works on a Tuesday morning, not just one that looks fair on paper. That's the job, as far as I'm concerned, and it's the part of this work I still take the most seriously.
— Anne Harvey
How Ohio Approaches Custody
Ohio law refers to custody as the "allocation of parental rights and responsibilities." A court can name one parent the residential parent and legal custodian, or approve a shared parenting plan in which both parents share decision-making and, often, significant time with the children.
Courts decide these questions based on the best interest of the child, weighing factors such as each parent's relationship with the child, the child's adjustment to home, school, and community, each parent's willingness to honor the other's time with the child, and any history of abuse or neglect. A child's own wishes may be considered, particularly as they get older, but is only one factor among many.
Every family's situation is different, and the right approach — sole custody, shared parenting, or something in between — depends on your circumstances. Anne will walk through your situation and help you understand which arrangements are realistically achievable, and what a court is likely to weigh most heavily in your case.
What a Custody Case May Involve
Custody matters can arise inside a divorce, as a standalone case between unmarried parents, or later, when circumstances change. Most cases involve some combination of the following.
Shared Parenting Plans
Drafting or negotiating a plan that spells out decision-making authority, schedules, and how disagreements between parents get resolved.
Sole Custody Requests
Presenting the case for naming one parent the residential parent and legal custodian, when shared parenting isn't realistic or appropriate.
Parenting Time Schedules
Building a workable day-to-day and holiday schedule alongside the custody arrangement.
Learn moreModification & Relocation
Addressing requests to change an existing custody order, including when a parent wants to move a significant distance away.
In some cases, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem — an independent representative for the children — or order an evaluation. Anne will explain how that process works if it applies to your case, and what to expect at each stage, from initial filings through any hearing.
Common Child Custody Questions
General answers to help you get oriented. These do not substitute for advice about your specific situation.
What does "allocation of parental rights and responsibilities" mean?
It's Ohio's legal term for what many people call custody — the court's decision about which parent makes major decisions for a child and where the child primarily lives, or how those responsibilities are shared between both parents.
What's the difference between sole custody and shared parenting?
In a sole custody arrangement, one parent is named residential parent and legal custodian. In shared parenting, both parents retain rights and responsibilities under a court-approved plan, though the children's schedule between homes can still vary widely.
Will my child have to testify or state a preference?
Not necessarily. A court may consider a child's wishes, particularly as they get older, but this is only one of several factors and children are not always required to testify or express a preference directly.
Can a custody order be changed later?
Yes, when there has been a significant change in circumstances since the original order and a modification would be in the child's best interest. Ohio law sets specific standards for when courts will revisit an existing arrangement.
What counties does Anne handle custody cases in?
Anne represents parents in custody matters throughout Dayton and Southwest Ohio, including Montgomery, Warren, Greene, Clark, and Miami counties.
Related Family Law Services
Serving Dayton and Southwest Ohio
Anne represents custody clients throughout Dayton, Ohio and the surrounding counties, including Montgomery County, Warren County, Greene County, Clark County, Miami County.
Get Clarity on Your Custody Situation
Whether you're just starting to consider your options or already in a dispute, talk to Anne directly about what a realistic path forward looks like for your family.
Please do not use the contact form to send highly sensitive or time-critical information. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.