“Therefore, the crux of the issue before us is this: if a court has issued a decree relieving a parent of any child-support obligation, is there a separate obligation that arises by law under which that parent still is required to provide maintenance and support to the child? The answer to that question is no.”

Update: On February 26, 2020, the Supreme Court of Ohio handed down a merit decision in this case.  Read the analysis here.

“So one dollar would have thwarted the adoption?”

Chief Justice O’Connor, to Father’s Lawyer

“If the legislature changed the statute to add the word ‘de minimis’ to apply to contact…if they wanted the

Update: On February 26, 2020, the Supreme Court of Ohio handed down a merit decision in this case.  Read the analysis here.

Read the analysis of the oral argument here. 

On May 7, 2019, the Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral argument in In Re Adoption of A.C.B., 2018-1300. The issue in the

Update: On June 25, 2019. The Supreme Court of Ohio handed down a merit decision in this case. Read the analysis here.

“What this judgment entry did is wipe the slate clean as far as a judicial decree establishing an amount to be paid. That didn’t negate the common law duty to have a parent

Update: On June 25, 2019. The Supreme Court of Ohio handed down a merit decision in this case. Read the analysis here.

Read an analysis of the oral argument here.

On January 8, 2019, the Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral argument in the case of In Re: Adoption of B.I. 2018-0182. At

“This appeal charges us with the unenviable task of reaching a result that either overrides the adoption plan of a diligent birth mother and separates P.L.H. from the only home he has ever known or that terminates permanently C.W.’s fundamental right to raise and nurture his child.”

Justice French

On July 18, 2017, the Supreme

Update: On July 18, 2017, the Supreme Court of Ohio handed down a merit decision in this case.  Read the analysis here.

“Are you asking this court, therefore, to give the mother’s vote in this family matter more weight?”

Justice O’Neill, to Counsel for the Biological Mother

“Are you saying financial support should never be