Opinion ID: 4409770
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: How R.C. 3107.07(A) Should be Applied

Text: {¶ 51} R.C. 3107.07(A) provides that when determining whether a parent’s consent is required for an adoption to proceed based on an alleged unjustifiable failure to provide maintenance and support for the child, a court must (step one) examine any relevant judicial decree. Regardless of whether there is a judicial decree ordering the parent to provide some level of support, a judicial decree ordering zero support, or no relevant judicial decree, the court also must (step two) determine the level of support required by “law” other than by judicial decree. The court then must (step three) determine whether the nonconsenting parent has failed to meet either or both of the legally required levels of support during the relevant one-year period. Finally, if the court determines that the parent has failed to meet either or both of the legally required levels of support during the relevant one-year period, the court then must (step four) weigh several factors, including but not limited to the level of support ordered in any judicial decree as well as the facts found by the court that issued that order, and determine whether there was justifiable cause for that parent’s failure. After this simple, multi-step process is complete, the court will be able to determine whether the parent has forfeited the right to object to the adoption pursuant to R.C. 3107.07(A). III. A Judicial Decree Impacts Multiple Steps in the R.C. 3107.07(A)