Adams County Child Custody Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Adams County, Ohio · West Union

In Ohio, "custody" means the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. In Adams County, where you file depends on whether the parents were married: the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas for married or divorcing parents, and the Adams County Juvenile Court for never-married parents (a separate case per child, after paternity is established). The court decides custody and parenting time using the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors, both parents must complete the Beech Acres parenting seminar before the final hearing, and any shared-parenting plan must use the county's AC-216 form — not the Supreme Court plan.

Hire Gavvl for your Adams County custody case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Adams County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

How do I file for custody in Adams County, Ohio?

If you and the other parent were married, custody is decided inside your divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Division — file the SC Affidavit 3 (Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA) and an Ohio Child Support Worksheet with that packet. If you were never married, file a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities and Parenting Time (Juvenile SC Form 23) in the Adams County Juvenile Court after paternity is established, with the AC-007 background authorization, a certified birth certificate, and AC-202 CSEA setup. Custody inside a divorce is part of that deposit (about $350 with children); a never-married Juvenile case runs about $125 plus a $105 parentage cost and a $50 mediation fee — far less than the DR figure. Both parents complete the parenting seminar before the merit hearing.

Adams County custody, handled by Gavvl Law

In Ohio, custody means the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and in Adams County where you file turns on marriage: the Domestic Relations Division for married or divorcing parents, and the Juvenile Court — a separate case per child, after paternity — for never-married parents. The court decides under the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. Gavvl Law files in the right court, gets both parents through the Beech Acres seminar, and works on a flat fee with payment plans available.

The right court for your family. Married and divorcing parents have custody decided inside the Domestic Relations case, with no separate custody case, while never-married parents file a Juvenile complaint for each child after paternity is established, and non-parent custody is always Juvenile. We file in the correct forum so the case starts on solid footing.
Best-interest evidence and the seminar certificate. The court applies the R.C. 3109.04(F) factors, and both parents must complete the online Beech Acres "Helping Children Cope With Family Separation" seminar and file AC-203/AC-204 before the merit hearing. We build your best-interest case and get the certificate in so the hearing is not postponed.
Home-state jurisdiction, proven. Ohio must be the children's home state — lived here the prior six months — sworn on SC Affidavit 3, and a Juvenile case runs about $125 plus $105 plus a $50 mediation fee versus roughly $350 in a divorce. We confirm jurisdiction, file the right packet, and quote a flat fee up front.

Contested custody in Adams County can bring a Guardian ad Litem or CASA volunteer under Local Rule 224 with a $750 deposit, requested by AC-205 or the AC-218 GAL Complaint Form — and if the deposit is a burden, the AC-012 fee waiver is available. We prepare for the GAL and the waiver so cost never decides your case.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the custody complaint or motion; you appear at any hearing.

Establish custody: $1,250
Modify custody: $1,450

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

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Ohio Custody by the Numbers

Best interest The single standard that governs every Ohio custody decision Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04
No set age There is no age a child can choose a parent — the judge weighs a mature child's wishes Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(B)
Change in circumstances Required, plus a best-interest finding, before the residential parent can be changed Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(E)(1)
Shared parenting Either parent may ask the court for a joint parenting plan Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(G)

Compare Types of Custody in Ohio

Custody type	Who makes major decisions	Where the child lives	Best when
Shared parenting	Both parents jointly, under a written plan	Time is split per the plan (not always 50/50)	Parents can communicate and cooperate on decisions
Sole legal & residential	One parent	Primarily with that parent	One parent is unable or unwilling to co-parent
Split custody	Each parent for the child in their care	Siblings are divided between the two homes	Rare — only when it serves each child's best interest
Legal custody to a non-parent	The relative or caregiver granted custody	With the non-parent caregiver	Neither parent can safely care for the child

Where to File: Adams County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

110 West Main Street, West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2921
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed legal holidays)
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Adams County Juvenile Court
110 West Main Street, West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2921
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed legal holidays)

Custody is the right path if…

You need a court order setting where the children live and how parenting time and decisions are divided.
You and the other parent can't agree on parenting time, schooling, or major decisions.
Ohio is the children's home state under the UCCJEA — they've lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
You can complete the parenting seminar and file the certificate before the merit hearing.

Filing Fees

Custody inside a divorce/dissolution: part of the case deposit (~$350 with children, $300 without) · Never-married custody in Juvenile Court: ~$125 + ~$105 + $50 mediation · GAL deposit $750 in contested cases · Fee waiver via AC-012 — confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 544-2344.

Forms & Filing Packets

Custody inside a divorce or dissolution (married parents) — Part of the divorce/dissolution deposit (~$350 with children, $300 without)

When parents are married, custody, parenting time, and support are decided inside the Domestic Relations case — there is no separate "custody case."

Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Adams County CSEA Account Setup Sheet (AC-202) — Opens the support account with the Adams County Child Support Enforcement Agency. Required in every case involving children — even if no child support is requested.
Notice of "Helping Children Cope With Family Separation" Seminar (AC-203) — The notice for Adams County's mandatory online parenting seminar (Local Rule 213), administered through Beech Acres.
"Helping Children Cope With Family Separation" Registration Packet (AC-204) — One per parent. Registration materials are submitted directly to Beech Acres, not filed with the court.

Custody in the Adams County Juvenile Court (never-married parents) — ~$125 new filing + ~$105 parentage cost + $50 Mediation Fund fee

Used when parents were never married. Paternity must be established before the court can allocate custody. A separate case is filed for each child.

Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities and Parenting Time (Juvenile SC Form 23) — Opens a new Juvenile case for never-married parents — establishing parentage and asking the court to allocate custody, parenting time, and support. A separate case is filed for each child.
Notice of Appearance (AC-001) — Filed by attorneys and any unrepresented spouse/party to enter the case. Required on every Adams County family-law filing.
Waiver of Counsel (AC-002) — Signed by any unrepresented party, acknowledging they are proceeding without an attorney.
Authorization for Background Search (AC-007) — Required for each household resident over 18 in a Juvenile parentage/custody case. Paired with Sheriff-run FBI and Ohio BCI background checks submitted to the court.
Certified copy of the child's birth certificate — Required in a Juvenile parentage/custody case. The court copies and returns the original.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA. Required in any case involving minor children.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Adams County CSEA Account Setup Sheet (AC-202) — Opens the support account with the Adams County Child Support Enforcement Agency. Required in every case involving children — even if no child support is requested.
Notice of "Helping Children Cope With Family Separation" Seminar (AC-203) — The notice for Adams County's mandatory online parenting seminar (Local Rule 213), administered through Beech Acres.
"Helping Children Cope With Family Separation" Registration Packet (AC-204) — One per parent. Registration materials are submitted directly to Beech Acres, not filed with the court.
Praecipe (Request) for Service (AC-005) — Tells the Clerk how to serve the other party (certified mail, Sheriff, or publication). Required when service is needed.

Shared parenting add-on

When both parents seek to be residential parents, add the AC-216 plan and supporting orders. The Supreme Court plan is not accepted in Adams County.

Adams County Shared Parenting Plan (AC-216) — Adams County's local shared parenting plan. The court will NOT accept the Ohio Supreme Court shared-parenting plan — it does not comply with Adams County local rules. Must address every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor.
Miscellaneous Motion (AC-205) — Adams County's catch-all motion — used for a Motion for Shared Parenting, Motion for Guardian ad Litem, or Motion for a parenting/custody investigation.
Standard Parenting Orders (AC-206) — Adams County's standard parenting-order terms, filed with the parenting plan/shared parenting plan.
Standard Parenting Schedule (AC-207) — The county's default parenting-time schedule, filed alongside AC-206.
Standard Child Support & Medical Support Order (AC-208) — Required with a shared parenting plan or parenting plan — even if support is deviated to zero.

How to File Custody in Adams County

Pick the right court. Married/divorcing parents file in the Domestic Relations Division; never-married parents file in the Adams County Juvenile Court. Non-parent custody is always Juvenile.
Confirm UCCJEA home state. The children must have lived in Ohio for the prior 6 months. You swear to those facts on the SC Affidavit 3 (Parenting Proceeding Affidavit).
Complete the parenting seminar. Both parents complete "Helping Children Cope With Family Separation" through Beech Acres (AC-203/AC-204) and file the certificate before the merit hearing.
Assemble the packet. Married parents: the divorce/dissolution packet plus the UCCJEA affidavit and support worksheet (add the AC-216 plan for shared parenting). Never-married parents: the Juvenile SC Form 23 complaint, AC-007, a certified birth certificate, and AC-202.
File and serve. File with the Clerk at (937) 544-2344, pay the applicable deposit (ask about AC-012 fee waiver), and serve the other parent. Contested cases proceed to a merit hearing under the R.C. 3109.04(F) factors.

Adams County Practice Notes

Best-interest standard governs. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) lists 10+ factors: each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of sufficient age), the child's interaction with parents/siblings, adjustment to home/school/community, mental and physical health of all involved, the parent more likely to facilitate court-approved parenting time, child support compliance, criminal history, residence outside Ohio, and any history of abuse.
Shared parenting uses the county AC-216 plan. Adams County will not accept the Ohio Supreme Court shared-parenting plan — it does not comply with local rules. Use AC-216 (shared) or AC-217 (non-shared), with AC-206, AC-207, and AC-208 (required even at zero support).
GAL in contested cases (Local Rule 224). In a contested custody case the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem or CASA volunteer; request via AC-205 or the AC-218 GAL Complaint Form. A $750 deposit is due at appointment and fees are allocated between the parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Adams County?: For a divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Adams County before filing. For a dissolution only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. For never-married parents filing in Juvenile Court, Ohio must be the children's "home state" under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127) — generally meaning the children have lived in Ohio for the last 6 consecutive months.
Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Adams County?: If you are (or were) married to the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside your divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Division. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled by the Adams County Juvenile Court (R.C. 2151.23) — a separate case is filed for each child. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed in Juvenile Court.
Is a parenting class required in Adams County?: Yes, in any divorce, legal separation, dissolution, or custody/visitation case involving minor children (Local Rule 213). Adams County uses the online program "Helping Children Cope With Family Separation," administered through Beech Acres — file the AC-203 notice and AC-204 registration (one per parent). In a divorce the moving party must complete it before the final hearing; in a dissolution both parties must. Failure to attend within 60 days triggers a notice, and non-completion within 90 days is reported to the court and can delay your hearing.
When does Adams County appoint a Guardian ad Litem?: In a contested custody case the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem or a CASA volunteer to investigate and recommend what is in the child's best interest (Local Rule 224). Request one through the AC-205 Miscellaneous Motion or the dedicated AC-218 GAL Complaint Form. A $750 GAL deposit is due when the Motion & Entry for appointment is filed; fees can exceed the deposit and are allocated between the parties at the court's discretion. The Adams County CASA program line is (937) 618-0189.
What does it mean for Ohio to be my child's "home state" under the UCCJEA?: Under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127), Ohio is the children's home state when they have lived in Ohio with a parent for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before filing. You swear to those facts on the SC Affidavit 3 (Parenting Proceeding Affidavit). If the children moved recently, another state may still have jurisdiction, and an Ohio court can also decline jurisdiction as an inconvenient forum even when home-state requirements are met.
How much does a Juvenile (never-married) custody or support case cost in Adams County?: The Juvenile Court uses a separate, lower schedule than Domestic Relations: a new filing is about $125, with Custody/Visitation/Parentage court costs of about $105, and an Unmarried-Mother Custody Order about $50 — plus a $50 Mediation Fund fee on each filing. (The $350 "new custody/support/visitation" figure applies on the Common Pleas/Domestic Relations schedule, not in Juvenile Court.) Pay by cash, money order, or credit/debit — no personal checks. Deposits must be paid before pleadings are accepted; ask about a payment plan or fee waiver.
What is a IV-D application and why do I need one?: A IV-D Application (JFS 07076) opens a child-support case with the Adams County CSEA. Once open, CSEA collects support through automatic wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and can enforce the order through license suspension, tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals. In Adams County, an AC-202 CSEA Account Setup Sheet is required in every case involving children, even if no support is currently requested.

Free Local Resources in Adams County

Adams County Clerk of Courts (Larry Heller). Legal division on the top floor of the Courthouse, 110 West Main Street, Room 207, West Union, OH 45693. Accepts filings and provides current fees and instructions. Call (937) 544-2344 (lheller@adamscountycourts.com) before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Adams County Common Pleas forms & local rules portal. sites.google.com/view/adamscountycommonpleas/home — county AC-### forms, Ohio Supreme Court SC forms, checklists, the local rules (dated 2/3/2026), and pro-se/indigency pages.
Adams County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Director Angie Malott. 482 Rice Drive, P.O. Box 386, West Union, OH 45693. Phone (937) 544-5155 or toll-free (800) 840-5711 — establishes/modifies support, paternity, wage withholding, and payment distribution. Set up a court account with Form AC-202.
Adams County Children Services. 300 North Wilson Drive, West Union, OH 45693. Phone (937) 544-2511 for abuse/neglect concerns and emergency child-safety. Call 911 in an emergency.
Adams County CASA / GAL program. Volunteer and contact line (937) 618-0189. Court Appointed Special Advocates carry only 1–2 cases at a time and advocate for a child's best interest in contested and abuse/neglect matters.
Fee waiver (indigency). File the AC-012 Financial Disclosure / Fee-Waiver Affidavit & Order with a motion to waive the court-cost deposit if you meet federal poverty guidelines. See sites.google.com/view/adamscountycommonpleas/indigency.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet, print, and sign it for filing.

Related to your custody case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on custody and related Ohio family law topics.

Ohio Child Custody Laws: What Every Parent Should Know — Ohio custody law turns on one principle: the best interest of the child. This guide explains sole custody, shared parenting, the statutory factors, and how courts decide.
Shared Parenting in Ohio: How Joint Custody Really Works — Shared parenting is Ohio's version of joint custody — both parents stay legal custodians and share major decisions. Here's what a plan must cover and how courts decide.
Fathers' Rights in Ohio: Custody, Paternity, and Parenting Time — Ohio law does not favor mothers over fathers — but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they have any rights. Here's how fathers protect their relationship with their children.
Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.

More Adams County family-law resources

Ohio Custody guide — Statewide overview of custody in Ohio.
Cincinnati family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cincinnati metro.
Adams County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Adams County guide.
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