Post-Decree Modifications in Adams County

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

Adams County, Ohio · West Union

After a divorce, dissolution, or Juvenile order, later changes are handled by motion in the same case before Judge Brett M. Spencer / Magistrate David M. Hunter. Adams County's portal has dedicated post-decree subpages for changing the allocation of parental rights (custody), changing parenting time, changing child support, and relocation. The motion you file — and the standard the court applies — depends on what you're changing: a change of residential parent requires a change in circumstances plus best interest under R.C. 3109.04(E), while parenting-time and support changes use lower thresholds. A Domestic Relations post-decree motion is a $100 deposit.

How do I change a custody, parenting-time, or support order in Adams County, Ohio?

File a motion in the same case that issued the order, with AC-001, AC-002 (if unrepresented), and AC-005 Praecipe. To change the residential parent, file SC Form 27 with SC Affidavit 3, the AC-007 background authorization, financial affidavits, AC-202, and the parenting seminar — and note the court must address support when custody changes. To change only parenting time, file the SC Form 23 / Juvenile SC Form 5 motion with SC Affidavit 3 and the seminar. To change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption, file SC Form 28 with SC Affidavits 1 and 4. A residential parent who wants to relocate must file AC-210 (over 75 miles) or AC-211 (within 75 miles) first. The DR post-decree deposit is $100.

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, West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2921
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed legal holidays)
Website: www.adamscountycourts.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

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

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

There is already a final Adams County order you need to change.
Circumstances have changed — income, a move, school or health needs, or safety concerns.
You want to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or the support amount.
You (as residential parent) are planning to relocate and must notify the court first.

Filing Fees

Domestic Relations post-decree motion $100 · responsive pleading (if service requested) $100 · unpaid prior costs must be cleared first (Local Rule 004) · Juvenile post-decree uses the lower Juvenile schedule — confirm with the Clerk.

Forms & Filing Packets

Change the residential parent (custody) — $100 DR post-decree deposit

File SC Form 27. A change of residential parent requires a change in circumstances since the last order, that the change serves the child's best interest, and that the benefit outweighs the harm of disruption (R.C. 3109.04(E)). The court must also address support.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (SC Form 27) — Post-decree motion to change the residential parent / legal custodian. When custody changes, the court must also address child support.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Change parenting time (custody not changing) — $100 DR post-decree deposit

File the SC Form 23 (Juvenile SC Form 5) Motion for Change in Parenting Time with SC Affidavit 3 and the parenting seminar. This uses a best-interest standard — no change-in-circumstances showing required.

Motion for Change in Parenting Time (DR SC Form 23 / Juvenile SC Form 5) — Post-decree motion to adjust the parenting-time/companionship schedule without changing the residential parent.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Change child support / medical support / tax exemption — $100 DR post-decree deposit

File the SC Form 28 (Juvenile SC-7) motion with updated income proof. Run a fresh Ohio worksheet to show the change.

Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
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.
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.
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.

Relocation notice add-on

A residential parent must notify the court before relocating. File AC-210 (over 75 miles) or AC-211 (within 75 miles); AC-214 sets a long-distance schedule.

Notice of Intent to Relocate — over 75 miles (AC-210) — The residential parent must file this notice before relocating more than 75 miles; the court can then revisit parenting time.
Notice of Intent to Relocate — within 75 miles (AC-211) — The residential parent must file this notice before relocating within 75 miles.
Long Distance Parenting Order & Schedule (AC-214) — Used to set a long-distance parenting-time schedule when a parent moves a significant distance.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Adams County

Identify what you're changing. Decide whether you need to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or support — each uses a different standard and form.
Gather your evidence. Document the change in circumstances: new income, a move, school or health needs, or safety concerns, with records and dates.
Complete the right motion. Use SC Form 27 (change custody), SC Form 23 / Juvenile SC Form 5 (change parenting time), or SC Form 28 (change support), plus the required affidavits and AC-001/AC-005.
Handle relocation first if applicable. If you're the residential parent and plan to move, file AC-210 or AC-211 before relocating.
File and serve. File in the same case (DR post-decree deposit $100), clear any unpaid prior costs, and serve the other party via the AC-005 Praecipe.

Adams County Practice Notes

Custody changes need a change in circumstances. Under R.C. 3109.04(E), modifying the residential parent requires a change in circumstances since the last order, plus findings that the change serves the child's best interest and that its benefit outweighs the harm of disruption. When custody changes, the court must also address child support.
Parenting-time and support changes are easier. Adjusting only the parenting-time schedule (SC Form 23 / Juvenile SC Form 5) uses a best-interest standard with no change-in-circumstances showing. Support changes (SC Form 28) just need a fresh Ohio worksheet showing a real change in the calculated amount.
Relocation has its own notice forms. A residential parent planning to move must file AC-210 (over 75 miles) or AC-211 (within 75 miles) before relocating; the court can then revisit parenting time, with AC-214 available for a long-distance schedule.
Continuing jurisdiction stays in the original case. Where a Domestic Relations decree already allocated parental rights, a later modification stays in that DR case — even though a brand-new unmarried-parent custody case would be filed in Juvenile.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a post-decree motion cost in Adams County?: A Domestic Relations post-decree (reactive) motion is a $100 deposit, and a responsive pleading (if service is requested) is also $100. Unpaid costs from prior litigation must be cleared before a new motion is filed (Local Rule 004). Juvenile post-decree motions use the lower Juvenile schedule. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk before filing.
What do I do if I want to move with my children after an Adams County order?: The residential parent must notify the court before relocating. Adams County provides two forms: AC-210 Notice of Intent to Relocate for moves over 75 miles, and AC-211 for moves within 75 miles. After the notice, the court can revisit the parenting-time schedule, and AC-214 (Long Distance Parenting Order & Schedule) is available for a long-distance arrangement. Don't move the children before addressing the existing order.
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.
Does Adams County offer mediation for custody and post-decree disputes?: Yes. Adams County runs a mediation program with a court-approved mediator list (Local Rule 006; DR Rule 205). The Judge or Magistrate can refer any domestic-relations case, or a party can move for it. Each party sends a confidential statement to the mediator at least 7 days before the conference and must attend with full settlement authority. The mediator's fee is shared equally unless the court orders otherwise, and a $50 Mediation Fund can help indigent litigants cover costs.
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.

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 modifications case

Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Related guides

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

Post-Decree Modifications in Ohio: Changing Your Order After Divorce — Your divorce decree isn't carved in stone. When life changes, Ohio lets you modify custody, parenting time, and support — but each requires meeting a specific legal standard. Here's how.
How to Modify Child Support in Ohio — Child support orders aren't permanent. When income or circumstances change substantially, Ohio lets you modify support — through a CSEA review or a court motion. Here's how.
Contempt Motions in Ohio Family Court: Enforcing Your Order — When the other parent ignores a court order — withholding the children or refusing to pay support — a contempt motion is how Ohio courts enforce it. Here's how the process works.

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Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
Cincinnati family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cincinnati metro.
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