Guardianship and custody are legal terms that define the care and responsibility for a child, but they differ significantly in terms of rights, responsibilities, the individuals involved and the proper court for filing. A non-parent caregiver who has taken responsibility for raising a child should consult with an attorney on whether they need legal documentation from an Ohio court to properly care for the child. Court staff are legally prohibited from telling you what you need to file or how to fill out a form.
Legal Custody
Legal custody is a status that gives a person physical care and control of a child, to determine where the child shall live, and has the duty to protect, discipline, train and provide the child with basic necessities. In Ohio, two courts have jurisdiction over the legal custody of a child. Both juvenile courts and domestic relations courts have the authority to hear and determine the custody of a child.
In Medina, Domestic Relations Court handles all cases of custody between biological parents. Juvenile Court handles third party custody cases (one party is not a biological parent).
Guardianship
Guardianship of a child is a legal arrangement where a non-parent is appointed by the court to take care of a child when the biological parents are unable to do so. This type of case must be filed in a probate court. The guardian assumes full legal rights and responsibilities for the child's welfare, including decisions about education, healthcare, and daily living.
Judge Kevin Dunn
Judge Kevin W. Dunn has been presiding over the Medina County Court of Common Pleas Probate and Juvenile Divisions since August 2013 upon being appointed by Governor John Kasich. The Judge was elected by Medina County voters to continue his duties in the position and began his six-year term February 2015.
Contact Medina County Juvenile Court
This website is designed as a service to the public to provide an understanding on the duties and procedures of the Probate Court in Ohio in reference to adoptions. This should not be considered a legal reference.
