If you need to contact an advocate immediately, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24 hours a day, at 800.799.7233, or go to www.thehotline.org.

Self-Help Brochures from SEOLS

• The Rights of Unmarried Mothers

This brochure explains the rights unmarried mothers have regarding their children.

• Rights of Cohabitants: People Who Live Together but are not Married

This brochure explains the rights of people who live together but are not married, the legal advantages of marriage, and how to gain some rights that are similar to those for married couples.

• Don’t Be Left Out of the Picture: The Ohio Putative Father Registry

The Ohio Putative Father Registry (OPFR) helps an unmarried father find out if his child might be adopted. This brochure explains how the registry works and what steps a possible father should take.

• Self-Help Manual for Unmarried Partners

This is a self-help manual for unmarried partners and couples who want to learn more about their legal rights under Ohio law regarding property, marriage, property, debts, housing, paternity, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence, estate planning, same-sex marriage, and cohabitation (living together) agreements. It includes sample forms for a cohabitation agreement and a child co-custody agreement for unmarried couples. While this manual is not a substitute for legal advice, it is designed to help unmarried couples understand the most common legal issues they may encounter.