Ashland County Post-Decree Modification Attorneys

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

Ashland County, Ohio · Ashland

After an Ashland County divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment, custody, parenting time, school placement, and support stay in the same case under the court's continuing jurisdiction. The procedure has an Ashland twist: you get the hearing or conference date from the court BEFORE you file, and post-decree motions are served like a new lawsuit under Civ.R. 75 — not just mailed to old counsel. Each change carries its own standard, so don't mix them up.

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How do I modify a custody or support order in Ashland County, Ohio?

First obtain the hearing/conference date from the court, then file your motion with that date in the Notice of Hearing or Order to Appear. Use Form 27 to change the residential parent (requires the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances showing), Form 26 to change parenting time (best-interest standard), or Form 28 to change support (R.C. 3119.79). Include a memorandum, the movant's affidavit, Affidavit 1 if money is at issue, Affidavit 3 in any parenting proceeding, Affidavit 4 and the IV-D form for parenting/support changes, Form 18.00, the Case Designation Sheet (Form 2.00), and instructions for service. Post-decree motions are served under Civ.R. 75 (like a new lawsuit). The deposit is $250; agreed entries are $75. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division at (419) 282-4242.

Ashland County post-decree changes, done right

Custody, parenting time, school placement, and support all stay in your original case under the court's continuing jurisdiction, but Ashland runs post-decree motions with two traps for the unwary: you must get the hearing or conference date from the court before you file it, and the motion has to be served like a brand-new lawsuit under Civ.R. 75 rather than mailed to old counsel. Gavvl Law obtains the date, assembles the Local Rule 20.06 packet, and perfects service — flat fee for an agreed change, full representation for a contested one.

Date first, then file. In Ashland the moving party secures the conference or hearing date and writes it into the Notice of Hearing or Order to Appear before filing. For parenting and support motions that notice must carry the rule's bold warning directing the other side to file Affidavits 1, 3, and 4 at least seven days out — we handle both so the motion isn't dead on arrival.
Service under Civ.R. 75, not a mailing. Post-decree motions must be served through Civ.R. 75 like a new complaint, not simply sent to the lawyer from the divorce. We arrange proper service and calendar the opposing brief deadline of at least seven days before the first conference, so the merits — not a service defect — control.
Matching the form to the standard. We file Form 27 to change the residential parent (the higher R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances test), Form 26 for a parenting-time adjustment (best interest), or Form 28 for support (R.C. 3119.79) — and when you and the other parent agree, we file it as a $75 agreed entry with the Form 12.00 waiver instead of a full $250 motion.

We file post-decree motions with the Clerk's Legal Division at (419) 282-4242 routinely, so the $250 deposit, the $75 agreed-entry track, and Ashland's date-before-filing rule are part of our normal practice, not surprises mid-case.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the motion to modify an existing custody, parenting-time, or support order. You appear at any hearing.

Modify custody or parenting time: $1,450
Modify child support: $950

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: Ashland County Common Pleas Court - Domestic Relations Division

142 W 2nd St, Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: (419) 282-4242
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Website: Court website

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

Circumstances have changed enough to justify changing the residential parent under R.C. 3109.04(E).
You want to adjust the parenting-time schedule (a best-interest change, no changed-circumstances showing required).
Income has changed enough to revisit child support under R.C. 3119.79.
You and the other parent agree on the change and want to file it as an agreed entry.

Filing Fees

Post-decree motion $250 · agreed entry $75 · QDRO $125 each · relocation notice $25 · get the hearing date BEFORE filing · Civ.R. 75 service required · confirm at (419) 282-4242

Forms & Filing Packets

Change the residential parent (custody) — $250 post-decree motion — confirm with the Clerk

File Form 27 with the parenting affidavit and a memorandum. Get the hearing date first; serve under Civ.R. 75. Requires the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances showing plus best interest.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 27) — Changes the residential parent/legal custodian — requires the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances showing.
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.
Case Designation Sheet — Domestic (Local Form 2.00) — Required with every new or reopened domestic-relations case in the General and Domestic Relations Divisions (Local Rule 20).
Personal Identifier Disclosure Form (Local Form 18.00) — Required (and kept non-public) in every new or reopened DR case and every post-decree motion. Lists SSNs and other identifiers off the public record.

Change parenting time — $250 post-decree motion — confirm with the Clerk

File Form 26 with the parenting affidavit. Adjusting only the schedule uses a best-interest standard — no changed-circumstances showing required.

Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Ohio SC Form 26) — Adjusts the parenting-time (companionship) schedule under a best-interest standard — no change-in-circumstances showing required.
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.
Case Designation Sheet — Domestic (Local Form 2.00) — Required with every new or reopened domestic-relations case in the General and Domestic Relations Divisions (Local Rule 20).
Personal Identifier Disclosure Form (Local Form 18.00) — Required (and kept non-public) in every new or reopened DR case and every post-decree motion. Lists SSNs and other identifiers off the public record.

Change child support — $250 post-decree motion — confirm with the Clerk

File Form 28 with a fresh Ohio worksheet, Affidavit 1, Affidavit 4, and the IV-D form (emailed). Support modification follows R.C. 3119.79.

Motion for Change of Child Support / Medical / Tax (Ohio SC Form 28) — Changes child support, medical support, or the tax exemption under R.C. 3119.79; attach a fresh Ohio worksheet.
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.
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.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services (JFS-07076) — Required with any DR or Juvenile filing involving custody or support. In DR cases it is EMAILED to hadkins@ashlandcommonpleas.com — never filed with the Clerk.
Personal Identifier Disclosure Form (Local Form 18.00) — Required (and kept non-public) in every new or reopened DR case and every post-decree motion. Lists SSNs and other identifiers off the public record.

Agreed modification — $75 agreed post-decree entry — confirm with the Clerk

Even fully agreed changes need a written motion, updated Affidavit 1 if money is involved, a Form 12.00 waiver, and a proposed entry signed by both parties. A hearing is set if either party is unrepresented.

Waiver of Magistrate's Decision, Time Limits & Objections (Local Form 12.00) — Filed with an agreed post-decree entry so the court can adopt the parties' agreement without a magistrate's decision and objection period (LR 20.07).
Personal Identifier Disclosure Form (Local Form 18.00) — Required (and kept non-public) in every new or reopened DR case and every post-decree motion. Lists SSNs and other identifiers off the public record.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Ashland County

Identify what you're changing. Custody (Form 27), parenting time (Form 26), or support (Form 28) — each has a different standard and form.
Get the hearing date from the court. Obtain the conference/hearing date first and put it in your Notice of Hearing or Order to Appear, with the required bold warning for parenting/support motions.
Assemble the LR 20.06 packet. Motion, memorandum, movant's affidavit, Affidavit 1 (if money), Affidavit 3 (parenting), Affidavit 4 and IV-D form (parenting/support), Form 18.00, and the Case Designation Sheet (Form 2.00).
File, pay, and serve under Civ.R. 75. File with the Clerk and pay the $250 deposit (agreed entries $75), then serve the other party like a new lawsuit. Confirm amounts at (419) 282-4242.

Ashland County Practice Notes

Get the hearing date before you file. In Ashland the moving party obtains the conference/hearing date from the court first and puts it in the Notice of Hearing or Order to Appear. For parenting/support motions the notice must carry the rule's bold warning telling the responding party to file Affidavits 1, 3, and 4 at least 7 days before the hearing (LR 20.06).
Serve like a new lawsuit. Post-decree motions are served under Civ.R. 75 (Civ.R. 4–4.6) — not just mailed to old counsel. Opposing briefs are due at least 7 days before the first conference/hearing.
Changing schools is not changing custody. The residential-parent-for-school-purposes designation is administrative and modified on a best-interest standard; changing the residential parent itself requires the higher R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances showing.
Agreed changes still need a motion. Even fully agreed modifications require a written motion to invoke continuing jurisdiction, updated Affidavit 1 when money is involved, a both-signed worksheet for support changes, the Form 12.00 waiver, and a jointly signed entry. A hearing is scheduled whenever either party is unrepresented (LR 20.07).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just file my custody modification and wait for a date in Ashland County?: No. In Ashland you obtain the hearing/conference date from the court FIRST and include it in your Notice of Hearing or Order to Appear; for parenting/support motions the notice must carry the rule's bold warning telling the other party to file Affidavits 1, 3, and 4 at least 7 days before the hearing (LR 20.06).
What standard applies to changing custody after an Ashland decree?: Changing the residential parent requires the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances showing plus best interest. Changing the parenting-time schedule or the residential-parent-for-school-purposes designation is decided on best interest alone. Support modification follows R.C. 3119.79. Changing school placement is NOT the same as changing custody.
We agree on the change — do we still file a motion in Ashland County?: Yes. Even fully agreed modifications require a written motion to invoke continuing jurisdiction, updated Affidavit 1 from each party if money is involved, a both-signed support worksheet for child-support changes, a Form 12.00 Waiver of Magistrate's Decision, and a proposed entry signed by both parties. A hearing is scheduled whenever either party is unrepresented (LR 20.07).
What does a post-decree motion cost in Ashland County?: Post-decree motions are $250; agreed post-decree judgment entries are $75; QDROs are $125 each; a Notice of Intent to Relocate is $25. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division at (419) 282-4242 before filing.

Free Local Resources in Ashland County

Ashland County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (419) 282-4242 or visit https://ashlandcommonpleas.com before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Ashland County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Ashland 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 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.

Continue your Ashland County research

Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina metro.
Ashland County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Ashland County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
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