Opinion

In re Bonfield

  • 96 Ohio St. 3d 218
Court
Ohio Supreme Court
Filed
Aug 28, 2002
Status
Published
Author
Pfeifer
On the bench
Cook, Douglas, Moyer, Pfeifer, Resnick, Stratton, Sweeney
Cited by
5 cases

The opinion

Pfeifer, J.,

concurring.

{¶ 48} Terms of art change. What used to be known as joint custody is now known as shared parenting. Whatever the label, custody is still at the heart of what Teri Bonfield and Shelley Zachritz want the court to recognize and what they want to see endure. With an award of custody comes an acceptance of the responsibility for the care and direct supervision of children. Custody connotes more than a bond, it connotes presence.

{¶49} The General Assembly’s shift in terminology from joint custody to shared parenting was never meant to make custody of children exclusive to what are considered traditional parents. As the majority points out, R.C. 2151.23(A)(2) sees to that. Ohio’s custody laws allow for the legal recognition of an adult’s commitment to a child, and that adult’s right and responsibility to continue that commitment. What we call that adult is not important. What her children call her is.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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