Shared Parenting in Allen County

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

Allen County, Ohio · Lima

In Ohio, shared parenting names both parents legal custodian and residential parent under a written plan that meets R.C. 3109.04. In Allen County, married parents propose a plan inside their Domestic Relations divorce or dissolution; never-married parents propose one in the Juvenile Division. When parents can't agree on a schedule, the Juvenile Court applies the detailed Juv. Loc.R. 6 standard parenting-time order — alternate weekends, a weekday evening, a holiday rotation, and extended summer time.

How does shared parenting work in Allen County, Ohio?

Either or both parents may propose a Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) that covers the living schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution. The court approves the plan only if it serves the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F). Married parents file inside a divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Division; never-married parents file in the Juvenile Division ($125 deposit). If parents can't agree on a schedule, the Juv. Loc.R. 6 standard order applies — alternate weekends Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 6 p.m., one weekday evening 5:30–8:30 p.m., a holiday rotation, and four weeks of extended time for the non-residential parent.

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: Allen County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

301 N. Main St., Lima, OH 45801, Lima, OH 45801
Phone: (419) 223-8513
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Clerk of Courts)
Website: clerkofcourts.allencountyohio.com/
e-Filing: https://courtvweb.allencountyohio.com/eservices

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Allen County Juvenile & Probate Court (Juvenile Division)
1000 Wardhill Ave, Lima, OH 45805, Lima, OH 45805
Phone: (419) 227-5531
Hours: Clerk's office 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to be named legal custodian and residential parent under one plan.
You can cooperate enough to share major decisions about school, health, and activities.
You need a written schedule covering weekdays, weekends, holidays, and summer.
You want the plan built around the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F).

Filing Fees

Shared parenting rides the underlying case deposit — $375 in a DR divorce/dissolution, $125 in a Juvenile case — confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 223-8513

Forms & Filing Packets

Propose a shared parenting plan

File the Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) with the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit. Build the schedule around the Juv. Loc.R. 6 standard order if you need a starting point.

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
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.

Add the child-support worksheet

Even with shared parenting, the court runs the Ohio worksheet and can order support and medical coverage based on the parents' incomes and time.

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.
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.

How to File Shared Parenting in Allen County

Decide if shared parenting fits. Confirm both parents want to share legal custody and can cooperate on major decisions for the child.
Draft the Form 20 plan. Complete the Shared Parenting Plan covering the schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution.
File in the right court. Married parents file inside the divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Division; never-married parents file in the Juvenile Division.
Run the support worksheet. Complete the Ohio child-support worksheet and Health Insurance Affidavit so the court can address support and medical coverage.

Allen County Practice Notes

Best interest controls the plan. 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.
The Juv. Loc.R. 6 standard schedule is the default. If parents cannot agree on parenting time, the Allen County Juvenile Court applies the Loc.R. 6 standard order: alternate weekends (Fri 6 p.m.–Sun 6 p.m.), one weekday evening (5:30–8:30 p.m., default Wednesday), a holiday rotation by even/odd year, and extended time of four weeks for the non-residential parent and two weeks for the residential parent. A copy is attached to every parenting-time order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is shared parenting in Allen County and how do I ask for it?: Shared parenting means both parents are named legal custodian and residential parent under a written plan that meets R.C. 3109.04 — covering the schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution. Either or both parents may propose a plan (Ohio SC Form 20); the court approves it only if it serves the child's best interest. Ohio does not use the terms "primary custody" or "joint custody."
What is the standard parenting-time schedule in Allen County?: When parents cannot agree, the Allen County Juvenile Court applies the Juv. Loc.R. 6 standard order: alternate weekends (Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 6:00 p.m.), one weekday evening (5:30–8:30 p.m., default Wednesday), a holiday rotation by even/odd year, and extended time of four weeks for the non-residential parent and two weeks for the residential parent. A copy of Loc.R. 6 is attached to every parenting-time order, and the court can deviate under R.C. 3109.051(D).
Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Allen County?: If you are or were married to the other parent, custody, parenting time, and support are decided in your divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Division (filed through the Clerk of Courts, 301 N. Main St., Lima). If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled in the Allen County Juvenile Court at 1000 Wardhill Ave, Lima, (419) 227-5531. Non-parent (grandparent/relative) custody is always filed in Juvenile Court.
Is a parenting class required, and which one does Allen County use?: Yes. Under R.C. 3109.053 and DR Loc.R. 20.01(H), litigants in divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and R.C. 3111 parentage cases — plus certain post-decree movants — must complete the Court's required parenting program before the final hearing and file a Notice of Completion. Allen County uses Assisting Our Kids (A-OK), the required 3-hour online course (about $30) at assistingourkids.com.

Free Local Resources in Allen County

Allen County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (419) 223-8513 or visit https://clerkofcourts.allencountyohio.com before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Allen County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Allen County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.

Related to your shared parenting 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 shared parenting and related Ohio family law topics.

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.
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.
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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
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