Best Interests of the Child

Statute: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2151.414(D) (West, WESTLAW through 2001 Files 1-3)

Law:

In determining the best interest of a child at a hearing, the court shall consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the following:

The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child's parents, siblings, relatives, foster caregivers and out-of-home providers, and any other person who may significantly affect the child;

The wishes of the child, as expressed directly by the child or through the child's guardian ad litem, with due regard for the maturity of the child;

The custodial history of the child, including whether the child has been in the temporary custody of one or more public children services agencies or private child placing agencies for 12 or more months of a consecutive 22 month period ending on or after March 18, 1999;

The child's need for a legally secure permanent placement and whether that type of placement can be achieved without a grant of permanent custody to the agency;

Whether any of the factors in § 2151.414(E)(7)-(11) apply in relation to the parents and child.

Concurrent Planning

Law:

Not addressed in statutes reviewed