Child Support Attorney in Columbus, Ohio

High-Income Child Support & Judicial Deviation

When combined parental income exceeds $336,000, Ohio’s standard schedule no longer applies. Under ORC 3119.04, the court makes a case-by-case determination, but the obligation can’t be less than the top-of-schedule amount. These cases require careful analysis of business income, investment returns, and deferred compensation, all of which affect how gross income is calculated and what the court ultimately orders.

Courts may also deviate from guideline amounts based on factors listed in ORC 3119.23, including a child’s special needs, extraordinary financial obligations, or a significant imbalance in parenting time. We work with respected professionals in asset location and valuation to help ensure that income characterization is thoroughly supported, and we craft child support arrangements tailored to the full picture of each client’s financial situation.

Modifying a Child Support Order in Columbus

Circumstances change. A job loss, a significant shift in income, a change in custody, or a major change in the child’s healthcare or childcare costs can all be grounds to seek a modification. Under ORC 3119.79, Ohio courts presume a modification is warranted when the recalculated support amount differs from the current order by more than 10%.

Franklin County CSEA conducts an administrative review of child support orders every 36 months, which may itself result in a modification. Parents have a limited window to object and request a court hearing. A modification never takes effect automatically: a new court or administrative order is required before any change in payment is enforceable. We handle post-decree modification proceedings and can advise you on whether the facts in your situation meet the legal threshold.

Child Support Enforcement in Franklin County

When a parent fails to pay, Ohio law provides substantial enforcement tools. Franklin County CSEA and the courts can act through income withholding from wages, interception of federal and state tax refunds, liens on real and personal property, denial of passport applications, suspension of driver’s and professional licenses, and reporting to credit bureaus.

The consequences of sustained non-payment are serious. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.21, a parent who fails to make payments for 26 weeks within a two-year period can be charged with criminal non-support, a felony of the fifth degree. A first contempt filing is punishable by up to 30 days in jail, though courts often allow substantial payment to avoid incarceration. We advise and represent clients on both sides of enforcement proceedings, including contempt actions.

How Long Child Support Lasts in Ohio

Child support follows a divorce, but parents who were never married carry the same legal obligation to support their child. Many parents also develop a comprehensive plan that addresses both current and future needs.

Standard Duration & Exceptions

Under ORC 3119.86, child support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Two exceptions extend that timeline: a child still enrolled full time in high school at age 18 receives support until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first, and a child with a physical or mental disability that prevents self-support may receive support indefinitely.

Ohio House Bill 338 & Long-Term Planning

Under Ohio House Bill 338, effective March 20, 2025, courts may now establish new child support orders for disabled children even after they turn 18, expanding on the prior rule that only allowed continuation of existing orders. For families facing long-term obligations, we help develop structured arrangements that include trusts, college funds, and agreements covering housing and care. The child support attorneys at Law Offices of William L. Geary can advise you on how Ohio’s guidelines apply to your situation.

Please contact us today at (614) 289-1227 to discuss your situation.